At Risk Youth Afterschool Program

[insideoutbutterfly]

Hello!

I’m a volunteer tutor at an afterschool program for at risk youth. I have been volunteering for over a year now and have noted that several of the students I work with have symptoms of ADHD. The program director has had them tested at a local clinic all them have come back with no signs of ADHD to report. Wondering if anyone can suggest testing to diagnosis ADHD in the San Francisco Bay Area? I feel like the person who is doing testing at the clinic may not be qualified, because one of the boys told me that the doctor who tested him told him that he was being lazy which is not a comment that is appropriate. I’m hoping if I can get one of them re tested and it comes back with an ADHD diagnosis that it will help the whole group to get re tested. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

For reference I am a parent of a student with ADHD and I have ADHD, my focus at the after school program is executive function skill building.

Thank you in advance.

[MOMicaO]

Hi. This must be so frustrating for everyone. I’m so sorry that a child was called lazy by a doctor or whatever clinician they saw. Is there a regional center that might be willing to evaluate any of them? I know they primarily serve those with developmental disabilities but there could be other things going on with the kids that an evaluation might find. It couldn’t hurt to contact them and ask. Perhaps they would point you in the direction of another local clinic. Best of luck to you. It’s a shame none of them were provided with any additional recommendations or suggestions from the clinic.

[skysoblue]

I have no suggestions to help you directly, but wanted to say THANK YOU for being an advocate for these kids. I'm guessing if they are in the program you're describing they need someone on their side. Sometimes parents don't have enough of their own skills to provide that.

[Pema20]

You’re so good to take this initiative. Maybe try UCSF psych.ucsf.edu/HALP/services. If they can’t help, they may be able to point you to other quality resources. There is so much care that does not follow clinical standards in this country it is truly shocking.

[GabyHIS]

Dear Insideoutbutterfly:

Thank you for contacting CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD. I understand that you are looking for ADHD information regarding diagnosing and evaluating ADHD.

We recommend finding an ADHD specialist in your area. You can check our professional directory to see if there is a specialist near you: chadd.org/professional-dire....

Additionally, our ADHD Centers Directory lists ADHD Centers through a hospital or university. Here is a link to see if there is an ADHD Center near you: chadd.org/organization-dire...

CHADD has a nationwide network of Affiliates. We encourage you to find a support group in your area. Check out this link to see what support groups are near you: chadd.org/affiliate-locator/.

More information that may be useful in your search:

chadd.org/wp-content/upload...

chadd.org/about-adhd/profes...

Sincerely,

GabyHIS

[insideoutbutterfly in reply to GabyHIS]

Hi Gaby

Thank you for your reply. CHADD is an amazing organization and one of the many wonderful features is providing resources and directories of businesses who are selling diagnosis services to parents , currently those service fees range from $4,000 to $5,000. I am one of those parent who paid $5000 for my daughters 85 page court ready document to fight our local public school system who tested her 5 times stating that she did not have any signs of ADHD or dyslexia. Unfortunately the families I’m working with are working two jobs to feed and house their families and don’t have $5000 to get a diagnosis. If I had the money I would pay for all of these student to be assessed, just like my own child. It’s really unfortunate that access to learning difference diagnosis is accessible to those who can afford the high cost of diagnosis. I will continue to seek a diagnosis for these children who deserve to know more about how their brains work.

[Imakecutebabies]

I understand you're working with at-risk youth, but if any of them has Kaiser health insurance, my son was easily diagnosed through Kaiser in the SF area. If not, what you need is a child psychologist in the area, not a pediatrician.