Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional If not ADHD, what?

Hi sciencelover. Just wondering how you were progressing. I don't have a lot more to add from the assessment we had. The report was disappointing really. The best suggestions I have already given you. I was intrigued that the process was used as a screening tool for ADHD, autism spectrum, sensory processing disorder and so on, based solely on an online questionnaire we filled in prior to the appointment. That was then used to suggest a whole range of courses that might assist learning. I was by then very dubious about what we were involved with. I asked the tester how her observations matched up with the ' diagnostic questionnaire ' and there was no real response.
I will keep reading and researching to help my DD. I'm reading The Sensory Child Gets Organised by Carolyn Dalgliesh. It has some interesting tips from an organizational specialist. The subtitle is Proven Systems for Rigid, Anxious or Distracted Kids. I would be curious to know if it holds anything of value to you or hardtochoose.
The other book I found interesting is Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults. There is so much overlap in the symptomatology of various disorders and giftedness. It all can be quite confusing and overwhelming.

Thanks for checking in, ndw. I'm sorry to hear your assessment wasn't very informative. We have not really gotten anywhere yet, but do have some things in the works. At school, they are putting him into a small group with interventions for writing. After six weeks of this, they will decide whether or not to evaluate. This is extremely frustrating since I first brought up my concerns last year in third grade, and if he even does get evaluated it will be towards the end of fourth. He has an OT evaluation at a new place scheduled for this month, and they are having me fill out a sensory profile for that, so I am optimistic that they will figure out his sensory issues and what goes along with them.

I have been communicating a lot with his pediatrician, and she seems pretty confused. She says she is really doubting the diagnosis, but is hesitant to send us back to the psychologist since the evaluation was only done back in June. So, she has prescribed yet another medication, but it seems like she is quite doubtful it will work any better. I am holding off on starting it, because she told us we could up the dosage on his anxiety meds and I want to see if that has any significant effect first.

Thanks for the book recommendations (I have actually started Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults before, but haven't finished it), I put a hold on them at the library and will let you know if they were useful for us.

I hear your frustration. It can be so hard waiting for assessments and plans to be put in place. Other people don't have the same sense of urgency about the problems we as parents do.

Your paediatrician sounds sensible. Hopefully the increased dose of the anti anxiety meds will help. How was your son over Christmas break? Did time away from school help?

The OT assessment will be interesting. Heightened sensory awareness and anxiety feed off each other.....something is irritating, you get worked up, everything becomes irritating! I get that. Best thing we bought DD...noise canceling headphones. They provide a quiet retreat wherever she is.

Here's to a better year in 2014