Late ADD/ADHD Diagnosis?

Has anyone had an ADHD evaluation done at a later age? My son is 9 and we are starting the process to have him evaluated from what I have long suspected is ADD/ADHD. What is the evaluation like (developmental ped)? I want to tell him first we will be doing it since he is almost 10 (wrapping up 4th grade), he will want to know what is going on. How did you explain to them what the evaluation was for? I feel like when we tell him, he might end up feeling badly about himself.

Re: Late ADD/ADHD Diagnosis?

You tell him it's an evaluation to identify his strengths and weaknesses. I'm assuming that he's had some difficulty in school, maybe his grades have suffered - make it about helping figure things out so that school isn't so challenging, etc. I would not tell him it's to see if he has ADHD. That dx has such a stigma and kids and adults often misunderstand what it truly means, it's not all about focus and hyperactivity, there are a number of executive functioning deficits that are also a part of the disorder.

Late ADD/ADHD Diagnosis?

At almost 10 I would tell him what it's for, and you are looking to get him help so he can feel better about his progression in school, which I assume he has struggles with. I've never tried to shelter my son from his diagnosis (he has a few).

Re: Late ADD/ADHD Diagnosis?

Re: Late ADD/ADHD Diagnosis?

Hi,

It makes perfect sense that you are concerned about your son's response and how to proceed. This is a very common question any time there is a need to have an evaluation for a diagnosis like this.

It means you are a good parent who loves your son.

Evaluating a boy at that age for ADHD is very common.

In terms of what to share, age is relevant, but your son's personality and developmental level are what to consider. There is quite a range.

A good evaluator or therapist can really help you prepare him for the evaluation, what it means, and specifically how to communicate about all of this.

I had this very question come up in session last week, and I worked through it with the mother.

Stigma exists and at the same time, it is important to be sure he is receiving the help he needs based on his functioning.

One approach is to explain the evaluation is about understanding areas of strengths that he has and areas in which he can learn to improve. The diagnostic label, while necessary to receive certain services, is not the end all and be all. With that said, at his age, if he receives the diagnosis and services, clearly the label won't escape him. So you'll just have to determine the timing and best way to explain it to him, e.g., everyone processes things differently and attends to different things. People with ADHD, in fact, have plenty of attention, but often the attention moves to different things and doesn't stay with one. So in some areas, for example, school, that can be a challenge. In some settings being able to move attention around quickly, e.g., a basketball game, is a great skill to have.

Just some thoughts. Hope it wasn't too long.

Best,
Ryan