The psychologist thinks that if we can properly medicate him for the ADHD, then his achievement will fall more in line with his IQ.
I'm looking for any kind of advice/experience that any of you have to offer.
Thanks!
This seems to be likely. Your son's scores are definitly gifted, but his working memory and processing speed put him at about the 65th percentile for his agemates - strong compared to average kids, but weak enough that they may be frustrating to him. If the ADD is causing those weaknesses, then yes, medication might free him up from those weaknesses and allow him to use his strengths without so much hassle. Or maybe your son is missing enough of the classroom instruction due to the ADD, then it seems likely that with the medication that your son's efforts to stay on task and benifit from the instruction would increase and his learning would increase.
The other things to consider is that ADD often has other 'co-morbid' problems with it - so if things don't 'spark up' right away, keep checking for Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, Depression - the usual suspects.
Also, even with medication, your son will likely need 'direct instruction' probably from you, in organizational skills, the search term is 'Executive Function.' Biofeedback and Meditation are helpful for some gifted+ADD folks.
A great book to have on hand:
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, Ocd, Asperger's, Depression, and Other Disorders [Hardcover]
James T. Webb
Edward R. Amend (Author), Nadia E. Webb (Author), Edward R. Amend (Author), Nadia E. Webb (Author), Jean Goerss (Author), Paul Beljan (Author), F. Richard Olenchak (Author)
Best Wishes,
Grinity
