Ped wants to say ADHD, but since all the problems are only at school, technically she cannot.
Does your DD do her homework independently, correctly, without significant prompting from you?
Not so much. We are using a timer now and that is better. But, yes there is often a lot of effort on my part, reminding her what she's supposed to be doing and we can't have even the radio on when she's working.I'm very upset about the whole thing...I would like a full assessment of my child and consideration of her ABILITIES made before I sign her up for a lifetime of medication, right?
There is no "lifetime of meds" unless you and DD choose it. Most ADHD meds wear off in a few hours, the long-acting ones in a day, completely out of the system in a few days. If you tried this and you weren't satisfied it was helping, you could try a different kind of medication (there are several that work differently)-- or you could give up at that point, and your DD would be as she is now.
I won't lie, the trial-and-error process at the beginning is not that much fun-- it can be hard to find the right med and dosage. We found it worth the investment. Your mileage may vary.
The ped suggested we try the meds without even telling the school. THat doesn't seem like a good idea? Won't she need support at school as well during this process? And it would be a lifetime though, right? I mean you don't outgrow ADHD? She will always have to take these. She did point out that if it is ADHD and we don't address it, Butter will never be able to live up to that potential.
We found that DS now 9 was starting to have profound self-esteem issues about his inability to do what school wanted, and his inability to act just like all the other kids. After he started meds this improved tremendously: he is more able to do what he wants to, and he feels better about his own capabilities. For us, this is a great improvement, even aside from the improvement in his work.
Butter hasn't said anything like that, but I know other kids in the class notice because they report it to me. I guess I'm not convinced and I'm not willing to just make my kid a guinea pig. It's not like they just do a blood test for neurotransmitters...
I don't think I made mine a guinea pig by trying meds. I talked to a specialist professional for hours first, finding out about what has been studied most in peer-reviewed trials, and asked her hundreds of questions. I would not have had the regular pediatrician prescribe/choose meds, but I felt I took proper precautions. It is possible to do this responsibly.
I have an appt with a doctor from the Hoagie's list, who is familiar with 2e (ADHD/gifted is "2e" right?). Plus the ped knew I would be resistant, so she is writing a referral to a child psych in the group that specializes in LD. So we will get 2 second opinions. I'm obviously just really freaked out by the whole thing. Plus DH is out of town for work, so I basically have to handle it myself and it's hard, as you know DeeDee
