Really upset.. (evaluation results)

I have been in the process of getting Cadence evaluated. THe Psycologist called today and said from the test results and after looking at what her teachers said she seems to have ADD. Can they diagnosis ADD at 3 1/2?? I am in hysterics here. My poor baby.. is there something I did or could have done better? I know when she is at school there are 21 kids in her class and she does have a problem paying attention i just cant believe at 3 1/2 they are telling me my daughter has this. Please help me feel better if you can

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

anyone

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

she will be fine! Many children and parents deal with this.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

I would take her somewhere where they can do a full neuropsychological evaluation, privately - as in not affilitaed with the school or district. The evaluation will be more thorough and you will get a long list of recommendations to help her, very specific things. There is a huge difference between an evaluation done by someone trained to perform them (a neuropsychologist or a clinical psychologist with additional neuropsych training) vs a school psychologist.

I'm not saying she doesn't have ADD, although I do believe she's a bit young to diagnose, but I would get a 2nd opinion.

You can check out the website for the NYU Child Study Center. I know they also have an office in Lake Success if you are not able to go into the city. Just be prepared as these evals are $$$$.

www.aboutourkids.org NYU Child Study Center

ETA: I just realized I assumed that the eval was done by a school psychologist. If it wasn't, disregard what I wrote except for checking out the NYU site, that might help.

Message edited 3/4/2011 11:17:25 AM.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Posted by pnbplus1

I would take her somewhere where they can do a full neuropsychological evaluation, privately - as in not affilitaed with the school or district. The evaluation will be more thorough and you will get a long list of recommendations to help her, very specific things. There is a huge difference between an evaluation done by someone trained to perform them (a neuropsychologist or a clinical psychologist with additional neuropsych training) vs a school psychologist.

I'm not saying she doesn't have ADD, although I do believe she's a bit young to diagnose, but I would get a 2nd opinion.

You can check out the website for the NYU Child Study Center. I know they also have an office in Lake Success if you are not able to go into the city. Just be prepared as these evals are $$$$.

www.aboutourkids.org NYU Child Study Center

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

First, I do know what it's like. I remember feeling like it was the death of the dream of my perfect child. Once the melodramatic thought ended, I honestly realized what the diagnosis meant. It was a godsend to finally know what the problems were & then we were onto solutions.

When you go to a party & your child is the one that's lashing out, unable to sit still or settle down, you get it.

When you tell her to stop & she can't, you understand it's not her fault.

When you ask her to get her shoes on & find her playing with toys as if you never asked, you get aggravated but start to recognize the reason.

When other kids start to think of her as the "bad kid" & she starts to think of herself just as poorly, you will do something about it.

And while initially devastating, you get to explore solutions to help her. And you will help her because you are an awesome mom.

and when you need help, I'm here/we're here because we get it too.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Call me when you get a chance!!!!

We had the same eval by the same person. I went for a second opinion. TJ is in the "at risk" category. The psychologist said they diagnose at 3. The developmental ped said not until 6 or 7.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

I do not have experience with this first hand, but in my opinion 3 & 1/2 does seem young for this diagnosis. I would get another opinion, or maybe even wait a year and get re-evaluated.

When my brother was little...(like 20 years ago now), before they diagnosed ADD like they do now, his teacher told my mother she wanted to leave him back in 1st grade b/c he was always out of his seat, and didn't pay attention. His grades were fine, and my mother decided not to leave him back, b/c she felt he was just immature for his age. He went on to do fine in school, and didn't/doesn't have ADD. He was just immature and then grew up...

Either way, hang in there!

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

I have no experience but wanted to offer you

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

My sister was diagnosed around preschool age- I don't know the specifics but I can find out if you like... I do know sent her to a specialized preschool and she got extra help all through elementary school.

She did wonderful- she now has her MBA and graduated in the top of her class and now holds a really respected position at a long island company- so if it is ADD- and they do early intervention- she will do great

good luck

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

I agree with the previous poster.. ADHD is very hard to diagnose and IMO very overdiagnosed. Im a HS counselor and I've spoken to the school psychologist a lot about this. He recommends getting a full eval done by a neuropsych. Im not sure how early it can be diagnosed, but I would definitely get a few opinions.

I also wanted to add that I have had so many very successful students with ADHD. Like, straight A students who go on to very competitive colleges. It's a disorder that you can really work with (many times without meds).

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

First off If she does have this there are many things you can do for her and many children are very successful with this!!

I am a teacher and dh is a Psychogist.
A school psych cannot nor can the school diagnosis a student as adhd. They can say she is presenting attention issues. You would need to take her to a neurologist or private psych to get that diagnosis. 3.5 years old is young. Many psychs will probably not diagnosis before 5-6 years old unless it is an extreme case.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

It's not your fault, a lot of children now are diagnosed with ADD and the diagnosis is a great thing! These children, especially girls, used to fall through the cracks of the school system. She can now received services at school to help her focus. Diet is super important for this population, cut out sugars as much as you can (juice is a big culprit). Natural foods with minimal processing. Don't worry, everything will be okay

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

I'm a teacher and the parent of a special needs child.

I was told that a diagnosis should wait until 5-6 years old.

Also, I just took DS to the optometrist for his first eye exam. She told me something really interesting. There is a connection between eye problems and ADD/ADHD. I think she said a slight turn in the eye (invisible to us) can cause children to literally be unable to visually focus. I'm not talking about vision - I'm talking about eye health.

She sees kids ALL the time who are diagnosed ADD/ADHD and it's an eye issue. I'm not saying that DD doesn't have ADD but I think she is still very young and there are other avenues too look into first (allergies, optometry, audiology).

My DS is in CPSE so I don't know about preschool class sizes so forgive me for asking, but 21 kids seems like a pretty big class for 3 1/2 year olds. Is it possible that this is part of the issue?

Hang in there!

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Posted by mom2aidan

I'm a teacher and the parent of a special needs child.

I was told that a diagnosis should wait until 5-6 years old.

Also, I just took DS to the optometrist for his first eye exam. She told me something really interesting. There is a connection between eye problems and ADD/ADHD. I think she said a slight turn in the eye (invisible to us) can cause children to literally be unable to visually focus. I'm not talking about vision - I'm talking about eye health.

She sees kids ALL the time who are diagnosed ADD/ADHD and it's an eye issue. I'm not saying that DD doesn't have ADD but I think she is still very young and there are other avenues too look into first (allergies, optometry, audiology).

My DS is in CPSE so I don't know about preschool class sizes so forgive me for asking, but 21 kids seems like a pretty big class for 3 1/2 year olds. Is it possible that this is part of the issue?

Hang in there!

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Definitely get a 2nd opinion.


No matter what happens- she will be fine! Make sure you get lots of recommendations for EI specialists and things you can work on with her at home

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Message edited 3/4/2011 8:10:25 PM.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

Posted by kahlua716

Definitely get a 2nd opinion.


No matter what happens- she will be fine! Make sure you get lots of recommendations for EI specialists and things you can work on with her at home

Message edited 3/4/2011 8:24:11 PM.

Re: Really upset.. (evaluation results)

DONOT freak out yet. My niece was evaluated at the same age by her school and corresponding psych and my Sister called me crying saying she has ADD and was offered to start her on medication. I said absolutely NOT and to wait a year or two because no child at 3/4 actually focuses on things. She is 8 now and perfectly normal. My Sister ended up switching schools and my niece just grew up into a normal behaving child on her own. (She is extremely bright and it turns out she was 'bored' with the things she was learning in school) Not to say you child doesn't have it but I'm just saying try not to freak out yet. Many kids get misdiagnosed at this age and a second opinion should be considered!!