So my ds9 is probably my most gifted child - possibly in the Exceptional range. (The oldest 3 have all participated in Duke TIP).
But while his verbal skills, oral reading, and reading comprehension are very high, he has always had a problem with written work. He did not like to cut or color as a preschooler.
Pushed by the school, we tried Concerta, and that helped, for the first few days. After that it was back to the same problems. Upped the dose, again, a brief improvement, and then back to same problems, and after a month, he developed a tic.
Switched to Stratera - same story. If he is off the drug for a while, the first day or two back on show an improvement in focus and completing written work, but only for a few days. Again, pushed by the school, we tried an increased dose, same result.
At this point I have to wonder about the accuracy of the ADHD diagnosis. He has never been disruptive in class, but simply didn't get the written work done at the rate others did. The phrase from the teacher at that time was "We know he knows the subject, but he has to write it down."
If ADHD was the major component of his problem, wouldn't there be a more lasting effect from the meds?
If instead, he has dysgraphia, could that be behind the problem?
When we were evaluating him in 1st grade, the OT recommended services, but since his achievement testing was average, they said he wasn't eligible. They never did actual IQ testing, although every teacher he has had agrees that he is gifted.
He is also extremely small for his age - in the 0.3 percentile for weight, and we are under evaluation for possibly starting Growth Hormone.
You can see why I'm hesitant to give him the ADHD drugs if they aren't working.
Anyone have experience with this issue? Do we just need to keep trying different drugs? We have a Dr. appt Mon for the med evaluation, and then a meeting with the school. I want to request testing, accomodations, etc, and could use advice on specific phrases I should use.
