ADD or ADHD

I feel like I've been asking questions about this for years, so I apologize. But here we are again. DS 1st grade teacher mentioned towards the end if last year maybe we should have him evaluated. DH was against it so we made a deal. If his 2nd grade teacher mentioned it too, we would have him evaluated. Tonight was back to school night. We stayed after to ask the teacher how he's doing. She said that there was clearly an issue with his concentration. He zones out, or plays with his zipper, bracelet, pencils, etc... She thinks he should be evaluated. Do we go through the school district to do this? She also mentioned having our pediatrician recommend a pediatric neurologist. Is this covered by insurance?
If someone can help walk me through what my next steps should be I would really appreciate it, thanks!

Re: ADD or ADHD

Yes. You go through the district. On average, it takes about a month I would say with the process between filling out the paperwork and getting the appointments set up for an eval. After all the evals are completed, a meeting is held to discuss what the next steps are going to be/if services will be provided. All of this is free through the district; nothing out of pocket.

Insurance I would imagine would cover the neuro. Generally, I would go through recommendations for that----especially with people who have been through it.

Or if your local children's hospital has a program for kids with ADD/ADHD.

I'd recommend Cohen's for theirs, but if memory serves, you don't live on LI?

One of the ladies on here I know had checked out their program and it was pretty intensive. I believe she said needing to be there once if not twice a week.

Re: ADD or ADHD

I would make an appointment with a pediatric neuro and go from there. Insurance covers it. I personally wouldn't bother going through the district for ADD/ADHD. The neuro will give you a "Connor Form" that you will take to the teacher.

My son was diagnosed in kindergarten. He was very inattentive. He has been on medication since, and it works great for him. We go on "medication vacations" in the Summer, and have tried diet, alternative supplements, etc., but the medication is what ultimately works for him.

ADD or ADHD

My son has ADHD inattentive type. The school district cannot make a diagnosis, they can only make a referral to get him formally evaluated. Personally, I would skip the school district and get a private evaluation. The school will only do a teacher and parent questionaire, and maybe a classroom observation.

We went first to a neurologist, who diagnosed him after 5 minutes. He never spoke to him directly, only looked at his school questionaire and was ready to write me a script immediately.

I was not satisfied with the neiro appt at all. So I sought out a private psychologist who specializes in children and ADHD. He did an entire series of tests, which took about 5 visits at an hour each and gave me a formal written diagnosis with test scores, IQ scores, strenghts and weaknesses. I was much more confident with the diagnosis based on that testing. Since he can't write a prescription, he is in touch with our pediatrician who writes the scripts.

He is currently off med, but thats an entirely different thread in iteself.

Message edited 9/25/2013 10:01:21 AM.

Re: ADD or ADHD

This is helpful.

DS is only 4 (soon to be 5) and we have concerns about ADD/ADHD. We went through CPSE last year.

I will keep this in mind if anything comes up down the road.

Re: ADD or ADHD

the district CAN NOT diagnose ADD or ADHD. It can only be done by a medical doctor (i.e. nuerologist). However, the district can do some rating scales (Google the Connors and the BRIEF, to give you an idea of two that many districts use) that are completed by the parent and the teacher that often show elevated scores that would indicate ADD or ADHD, but again must be diagnosed by an M.D.

once you have a diagnosis from an M.D. you can go to the district and request a CSE meeting. there depending on the effect of the ADD on your child's classroom functioning and learning, a Section 504 plan (accommodations only) OR an IEP (differentiated instruction or services) will be drafted.

hope this helps. my first step would be the school psychologist to cover the school end and a pediatric nuerologist.

Re: ADD or ADHD

Re: ADD or ADHD

Do not go through the district! Contact your ped and ask for a referral ASAP. Ped neuro can make the diagnosis

Re: ADD or ADHD

Re: ADD or ADHD

I am kind of curious of this as well, although I have my suspicions as to why parents don't want to involve the school, especially as the child gets older.

ADD or ADHD

In my opinion, the school is very hesitant to admit or give a referral for an ADHD evaluation. It seems to me they think that parents are quick to think their child has ADHD and are easy to dismiss it as "typical boy" behavior, or something else. Plus, they fear that if they refer you for an ADHD evaluation, you're going to expect the school to give your child special education services. They are only allotted to give those services to so many kids a year and they tend to deny you if your child is not on the severe side.

This has been my experience anyway. Perhaps someone else has a different reason for not going through the school.

Re: ADD or ADHD

Sorry I just saw this - the district cannot diagnose. You have to see a dr who will give you a conners scale for the teacher to fill out. The district can administer the conners, but they can't make the diagnosis.

Re: ADD or ADHD

Also, unless he has other deficits, a diagnosis of ADHD only qualifies you for a 504 plan. Start with your dr and see what happens.