Hi, I’m a new member. I am having a lot of difficulty getting the school personnel to test my son. His first grade teacher advised us to “talk to your doctor.” We did, he recommended a psychologist. He tested and found mild ADHD, high impulsivity component. Also IQ was high. We started Strattera and gradually increased to 40mg through second grade. He just started third grade. He has always hated the Strattera, complained about taking it, that it gave him headaches and stomachaches. So, we switched doctors, stopped Strattera and started AdderallXR. He has an easier time taking it, but still complains about headaches/stomachaches. We have heard that children are often quite relieved when they take the stimulants, and feel that they help — not our son. He doesn’t want to take anything. He is starting to have self-esteem problems. Has always had anxiety attacks, which seem worse. His reading is great, math good, writing bad. I want the school to test for some other LD(dysgraphia or a sensory problem) but guidance and new teacher keep stalling…they say he’s doing “okay”. WE SAY he can do better. Our instincts tell us something else is going on. How can I get the school to HELP, without making them an enemy?? As the material gets harder, I sense that he is going to have greater difficulty.
Re: school resists helping
This may be a gifted child with a learning disability. He may not have ADHD at all, but instead may look like he does because of the LD. Don’t waste your efforts trying to get the school to do what it should. its not fair, but time’s awasting and you need to figure out quick what is going on with your son. Go back to whomever did the initial evaluation, or find another specialist and pay for the testing yourself. It will be money well-spent.
when you say the writing is bad
do you mean his penmanship or his writing organization? Kids with ADD sometimes don’t like taking meds, I have two that would rather not take their meds. They say it decreases their appetite, sometimes makes them nauseated and makes them too serious…Straterra was an absolute bust for two of my sons but Adderall worked great. When they are on meds their penmanship improves, their reading improves as does their ability to organize their writing and stay on topic.
Kids with executive functioning problems get lost as they get older, there are too many things to distract them and they can’t focus on what they need to and as a result their self-esteem plummets. One of my kids has more anxiety issues than the other, and gets overwhelmed easily and didn’t like meds for ADD either. Self esteem issues will show up because the child with ADD gets frustrated they know they are capable of more but can’t pull it together.
If your child is not failing his subjects and is getting passing grades and doesn’t have a 504 I don’t think the district legally has to provide testing. My son with ADD didn’t have a 504, he was on meds and the district didn’t know so he didn’t get services or accomodations.
I would definitely pursue this with your health insurance and follow up with the psychologist because perhaps he needs a change in his meds or some counseling to deal with his anxiety.
First of all, you need to request evaluation *in writing*. The legal clock for the school does not start ticking until a request is made in writing. Oral requests are not legally binding on the school. In this letter (usually addressed to the principal), be sure to explain the reasons why you think the evaluation would be in your child’s best interests.
From your mention of possible dysgraphia and/or sensory problems, it sounds as if you would be requesting an occupational therapy evaluation.
The school can turn you down, but if they do they will need to defend themselves if you decide to challenge their refusal. Many schools will agree to an evaluation rather than risk legal costs associated with defense. However, your request needs to be made in writing.
Schools cannot make medical diagnoses, and ADD/ADHD are considered medical problems. Schools are limited to educational evaluations. Also, schools are not required to provide an optimal education for every child. Just because a child could do better is not enough of a reason to provide services. There must be quite a large discrepancy between potential and performance before a school is required to kick in with services.
It sounds as if your son is still taking medication. If his impulsivity does not put him into dangerous situations, I would consider suspending it because of his complaints. You may want to discuss this with parents on the ADD/ADHD board.
Another possibility you may want to consider is a cognitive skills training program. (Schools do not offer this. It would be something you would do on your own.) These programs cannot do much for impulsivity, but often help a *lot* with developing attention skills and other skills that contribute to academic learning. Check out http://www.audiblox2000.com , http://www.brainskills.com , and http://www.processingskills.com .
Nancy