OT: Blindsided by DD's Teacher-ADD?

No offense meant to anyone.  But rememeber, she is a teacher, not a doctor. She can not make a diagnosis, only a suggestion. Check with your daughters pediatrician. My son (also a straight A student and finished all his in classroom work before the other children) had a teacher who suggested he be tested because he talked during work time and also helped other children do their work. I told her no offense meant but he is probably bored. I asked her to give him extra work sheets and see if that helped the problem. Bingo!! It worked. Oh by the way, the pediatrician told me not to ever let anyone else make me think he had a problem that needed to be evaluated. He didn't put it hardly as nice. He used a couple of colorful words.....

Donya,

 

I just got on line for the first time today and am at work, but feel that you need my input since I have raised two children with ADHD and have a husband who was diagnosed with ADD in his 40’s.

 

It is overwhelming and upsetting when a teacher tells you that she thinks your child is ADD, especially the way she waited until the end of the year.  I felt the same way you did.  My children are VERY intelligent…with very high IQ’s as are MOST children with AD D.   I’ve always hated the term DISORDER…People with ADD just learn differently and they are usually VERY GIFTED individuals.  One thing that I have found through research and also from experience is that an ADD child USUALLY and I said USUALLY, not ALWAYS is gifted in the area of mathematics or word skills (my mind isn’t working right now but when I say word skills, I mean – reading, spelling, English, etc…) They usually excel in one area and have difficulty in the other area!  For example, our son who is 28 years old and was tested in second grade and had an IQ of 128 has a hard time with money…numbers, etc… But is an avid reader and always made better grades in that area.  He was also the ADHA child – very hyperactive…which has been channel into worrying and being anxious as an adult instead of the physical hyperactivity.  Our daughter on the other hand was NOT AS hyperactive, also diagnosed in second grade with an IQ of 132 is a math whiz…at four years old she used to add the shipping and handling in her head when we watched QVC and tell me, "Mommy that is only $$$ much, you can order that"!! This same child, in the 7^th grade was reading on a 4^th grade level and was on an 11.5 grade level in math!!  One thing that helped her self esteem, which these children also have a problem with because they sometimes feel different from other people, was that her resource teacher or SP ED teacher let her tutor the people in her class who had difficulty with math.  She didn't feel like sure a failure because she couldn't read as well.   ADD or ADHD DOES NOT MEAN STUPID OR DAMAGED!!!  I thought that is what they were telling me when my children were young.  DO YOUR REASEARCH.

 

Also, don’t be afraid of medication…sometimes they need it and sometimes they don’t.  It is a very individualized diagnosis.  Make sure you have a good doctor to do the evaluation.  I would recommend going to a psychiatrist or psychologist office that specializes in ADD and ADH D.   I would also contact the school system.  I am sure they can get that teacher to complete the paperwork.  They can also test through the school system.  Sometimes pediatricians are not your best bet when it comes to this kind of testing.  With Eryn being a daydreamer, IF she is ADD, she isn’t hyperactive and those children are usually not spotted until they get to the middle school years or adulthood. 

 

If I were you, I would definitely follow-up now and not wait until the next school year.  Middle school is especially hard or children with ADD because they are going to so many different classes and the teachers don’t always follow up on homework, etc…like elementary teachers do. 

 

IF she is ADD, she is just the same girl she has always been, a very gifted, intelligent, precious girl who may not fit into the mold that our society wants to put us into.  If you need to talk, please feel free to PM me and we can communicate that way, or I will give you my phone numbers.  If you have the Bama Board Address list, all my contact info is there.  ADD can be a challenge, but it is also a gift!! I love you and will keep your whole family in my prayers.  I hope I have helped!

thank you so much connie!  i couldn't ask for a better support system!  i appreciate your experience and advice more than you know.  this is really difficult, and i'm just getting started with research and all, but i know eryn is going to be fine. Love & Hugs, Donya

I guess you can tell that I am very passionate on this subject.  I earned all my white hairs dealing with this in the 80's when they were just talking about ADHD!  There is a wealth of information, but be careful because there are alot of opinions too.  Especially about medication.  People can really scare you, but when you have a good doctor that you trust, do just that trust them and don't listen to the naysayers!!! Hugs back atcha!!