Hello,
Our 5 year old is in need to ADHD testing/screening, but I can not find anyone who will do it. We live outside of Dallas, TX. Everywhere I have called will not test until age 6. He is having significant behavioral issues at school, lack of focus, etc.
Thanks for your help!
If your child is in an educational program they would be able to do an assessment. Write a letter asking for an assessment of his educational needs and social emotional needs.
It may also help to have him in therapy, you can ask if the school can also help with this.
Another idea is to ask his doctor to get him help.
Hope this helps, welcome to the group.
Hello MeganeAkkerman,
That sounds frustrating. Have you looked on Psychologytoday.com? You may have contacted Landry Therapy Group or The Center Testing & Assessments (weird name) but they come up as helping children under 6 and are taking new clients, in Dallas. Psychologytoday.com can be a great resource and you can filter for what you are looking for.
In the mean time exercise is the best thing you can do to help him. High cardio several times per week has been shown to have big impacts. Get that little guy to run around for at least 20+ minutes everyday and you should see improvements in a matter of days.
Positive parenting and teaching have also been studied and shown to have the biggest impact. Pointing out what they are doing well will have a much bigger impact on behavior than reprimand. Reprimand can have devastating effects down the road.
Often times we are expecting our ADHDers to do things they are not capable of. It is like asking a color blind person to see color (just try harder!) and reprimanding them when they don't. Your son literally has a less developed prefrontal cortex than the other 5 year olds at school. He doesn't have the brain parts to do what is being asked of him (assuming he is ADHD)
If something goes wrong, give him a big hug and tell him you love him no matter what. Then ask if he can think of a different way things could have gone.
The other idea that was really solidified for me recently is creating space between the challenging behavior and them. They are not the challenging behavior. They are inherently good; they just need to work on using their words, or sharing or whatever it is. Dr Hallowell calls it working on your brakes. He describes ADHD as a "Ferrari brain with bicycle brakes." You have a great brain you just need to strengthen your brakes.
I hope some of that helps,
BLC89
full disclosure I am an ADHD Parent Coach and have raised two kids with ADHD and been married to ADHD for nearly 30 years.
thank you very much!
My son's diagnosis was with his pediatrician (at age 5). The dr gave us a Vanderbilt packet. One section was for the parent to fill out and another for the teacher. We also had the district behavioral specialist come observe our son in class over a period of time to collect additional data. With all the red flags checked off, the dr was able to make it official. We were able to instill accommodations at school and home. He started medication which did the most help. He now sees a therapist for medication management.
Kindergarten was the year we were able to finally get answers and help. If your child is in the school system, utilize the resources available to help get them the accommodations they need.
You can complete rating scales (which are available at
nichq.org/sites/default/fil...
Print pages 2-5. You complete the parent form and a school or daycare can complete the teacher form. Then share the completed forms with the pediatrician. That can start the process.
I live in PA so no idea if things are different state to state. However, you should be able to request he be evaluated through the school. Email the school psychologist and ask for him to be evaluated. That's how my son was diagnosed.
We got a diagnosis from our pediatrician at 3 with the papers they send for the teacher and parents to fill out. We were then put on a waiting list for a behavioral specialist because she was more extreme than he was comfortable treating. Now at 7 we see a pediatric psychiatrist.
Hi there. Sorry you’re going through this difficult time with your son. I have a 13 year old boy with ADHD, but he did not start medication until he was 7. We used to live in Katy, TX and in Texas you can request and get and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) implemented for him until he’s at an age where they will provide medication. The IEP and BIP will implement supports for your son, and how the school must respond to each of his individual education and behavior needs.
Additionally, I always suggest that parents get a sleep study performed on young kids to make the symptoms being displayed are not Sleep Apnea or Bruxism(teeth grinding). My son would appear to sleep at night, but once I had the sleep study performed it showed he wasn’t in the proper sleep rem 27 times during the night due to the bruxism. He was only 4 so he could not get a mouth guard, and it wasn’t until we moved to Louisiana when he was 7 1/2 that a pediatrician said it was okay to give him a low does or Melatonin at bedtime. It was the lack of proper sleep hygiene that really exasperated the negative behaviors, and with the Melatonin and proper rest he was a totally different child.
It’s also important to note that doctors have been over diagnosing kids without ruling out other things, and that is another reason I’m suggesting you request a sleep study. I was told my son had bipolar disorder, oppositional disorder, and schizophrenia which were all incorrect diagnoses.
This is a lot of information, but I hope it helps!!
thank you! We do have a sleep study scheduled and he absolutely grinds his teeth.
start with your pediatrician. Our pediatrician is very involved in my son’s process. We get the meds from him. He suggested someone to do the assessment. Also, other parents in your area are helpful. Do you know anyone who has a child with ADHD?
after posting this out pedi said she would do the Eval, not sure if there was a miscommunication or what because we’ve been concerned for almost a year. We are also on the waitlist for an eval with a psychologist.
Thanks!
I live in Texas and both my grandsons started on meds in kindergarten. Our pediatrician had forms for us and the teacher to fill out.The teachers recommended the assessment. You should also be able to submit a request through the special ed department for evaluation. Put it in writing and mail it return receipt.
hi megane-
Have u tried
Diagnostic Learning Services
660 N Central ExpresswaySuite 460
Plano, TX 75074
after posting this out pedi said she would do the Eval, not sure if there was a miscommunication or what because we’ve been concerned for almost a year. We are also on the waitlist for an eval with a psychologist. Thanks!
We live in Texas as well. Have your pediatrician give you the Vanderbilt forms to give to his teachers. If not try a clinical psychologist.
after posting this out pedi said she would do the Eval, not sure if there was a miscommunication or what because we’ve been concerned for almost a year. We are also on the waitlist for an eval with a psychologist. Thanks!
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