Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion One of these kids is not like the other- Updated

Yes, I'm saying that she might be able to go off them later if she wants to, depending on her individual circumstances, of course. There are many people who are able to develop coping strategies and use external supports to help them manage the effects of their ADHD who don't use meds or who only use them when the demands on their attention are unusually high...and there are people who wouldn't dream of missing a dose of their meds, because the difference it makes for them is so profound. You can't know at this point where on that spectrum your child is going to fall years from now, and thankfully, you don't have to.

Of course, you want to be certain that you have a correct diagnosis before deciding about meds. That's just common sense. It's not a decision to make lightly, and prescribing and adjusting these kinds of meds is not something I'd personally go to a GP or regular pediatrician for.

And I'd agree that misdiagnosis is rampant - plenty of kids with other issues are labeled ADHD and plenty who actually have ADHD are labeled with something else, and giftedness absolutely complicates the picture. I agree with many others here in recommending "Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults" as a resource for you to use both for yourself and to share with the professionals seeing your child.

I think I remember that you are already getting a copy of "Late, Lost, and Unprepared" and "Smart, but Scattered". ADHD or no ADHD, and meds or no meds, helping your child improve executive functioning and skills to the extent possible is bound to make life easier to negotiate in the long run.

No diagnosis by itself is a qualifier for an IEP. Qualifying for an IEP depends on the level of impairment and the need for special educational services. Many people with ADHD qualify for IEPs (and don't forget that instruction at an intellectually appropriate challenge level and pace can be written into the IEP as an ADHD accommodation because novel, high interest, and low repetition materials reduce the demands on executive function and stimulate attention.), and most that don't qualify for IEPs do qualify for 504 plans.

Then I wouldn't say the problems are only at school.


Bunch of issues here.

1. We started meds without telling the school, but he already had significant and appropriate accommodations at school at that point. We had a teacher who, had she known there were meds, would have been asking us constantly to adjust them. We have since found it worth while to be frank with the school; we have come a ways in our understanding with them.

That said, it is OK to trial meds without telling them right away. It can give you good data if the teachers start sending you email saying "DD is doing amazingly well." There are pros and cons, to be discussed with your DD's doctor.

2. She absolutely should get support at school. The list of accommodations you gave is a start, but it doesn't include anything that will actually teach her to pay attention and participate fully in the class. I would seek an IEP to get those services in place, so that she learns to participate.

3. My understanding is that meds are usually key for children with ADHD, because when they are young it's hard to develop a full set of coping skills right away. Ideally, you work a lot on executive function skills during the school years, and by the time the person is an adult they may well have enough coping skills to decide to do without meds. Or not. As they wish.


That seems fine. It's a lot of opinions. That's OK.

If you decide to go with meds, do get the most expert, experienced prescriber you can find.

Hang in there.

DeeDee

The school personnel are only qualified to identify educational issues, not make a medical diagnosis. If she's high-achieving, you can at least be somewhat relieved that she's learning in spite of the attention issues. Often kids who are gifted get identified later because "they're so bright, how could they possibly have a learning disability?"


It might or might not be possible to give her some strategies to improve things. My bet is that if she has ADHD, meds would help her get there with less struggle.


The school would have to do a thorough educational evaluation (see the book From Emotions to Advocacy about requesting one). Then they'd decide to what extent her ADHD is affecting her education. If it's deemed significant she will get an IEP. If not, maybe not.

Everybody notices the kids with extra needs, whether there is an IEP or not. As you said, peers notice, teachers notice. It's not like she's off the radar now, so I find it unlikely that the label would make anything worse for her.

DeeDee

2g, I live with a dh who is the poster child for "look, shiny object!" He is not on ADHD meds, but has found a career where linear time is not of paramount importance and a wife who keeps his edges organized.
Likewise, dd was on ADHD meds at one point, off for a couple of years, and is now on a lower dose of a different med (because she has learned many, many coping skills she did not have as a young elementary schooler, but is in a much more rigorous/rigid learning situation). She doesn't take her meds on the weekend for the most part (though I don't like letting it go over long weekends or vacations because it seems to make the subsequent Monday go weirdly for some reason).

To medicate or not to medicate is an individual choice, dependent upon the child, the educational situation, the timing, and a thousand other things. I would neither opt in nor opt out because of "in general"s and "a lot of kids"s. You have to look at your child, specifically, and her situation, specifically, and determine the benefit (or not). And then make your decision based strictly on her, and the heck with what other people do or say.
Easier said than done, because everybody and their cousin's cat will second guess you, but at some point, quite a bit of of parenting comes down to doing what seems like the best idea, and hang the rest of the world.

Are you saying she needs the meds more in the more rigid in environment, or that incresed structure helps her need less meds? Just curious. thanks

I"m curious if people whose kids are on ADHD meds notice that they seem shorter than they would normally be. I've read that it can affect growth. There is a kid on our swim team on meds who is extremely short, probably by 4 inches or more.

ooooooookkkkkkkkkk

so, private testing it is, when I can get DH up off the floor from the heart attack he's going to have when he sees the price tag...

the dr we chose used to be an advisor to our districts GATE program and teaches a GATE certification class regarding gifteds and touches on 2e, so the district is familiar with her name and work, her credentials should carry plenty of weight with them.

in light of the ped wanting to push ADHD, I think it's super important that we MAKE SURE that's what it is before I start giving the kid medication (which could still cost 2k, right?)

Plus, her assessment will show if we should consider some acceleration, changing her school or even homeschooling, etc...

today Butter got a "red card" for apparently participating TOO much during the Paidea session. They had this discussion including the 2nd grade and Butter says the reason she was so boisterous is because no one else was contributing. THe note said she was also rolling around on the floor (that's new). Then she was sent outside of the room where she proceeded to jump up and wave her arms around. Duh...she's trying to get your attention!

Thursday and the SST can't come fast enough!