Misdiagnosis of ADHD

Try reading the book, "The Out-of-Sync Child". My daughter was not "officially" diagnosed with ADHD at 3, but a psychiatrist told me she thought my daughter had it. Her pediatrician agreed it was likely. I just was not comfortable. She has since been diagnosed by an Occupational Therapist with Sensory Integration Disorder, and I am very confident this is the "fit" for her. I read in another book the difference between ADHD and SI-- Both are equally distracted in the classroom, (let's say by some trucks driving down the street outside the window)-- the ADHD child is interested in the distraction, the SI child is overwhelmed and frustrated by the distraction because she cannot concentrate and do what she is supposed to do. Hope this helps!
A.

I don't have a solution to offer, but I did want to say that in my experience, I do think that ADHD is a quick diagnosis that Dr.'s jump to right away. It probably fits for he majority, but it doesn't fit all kids. My son was diagnosed, but the more we tried to treat it, the worse things got. We've gone off the meds and things are getting better. What you have to remember is that when you are struggling with these issues with your child, you are looking for any label to put on it because that gives you relief that you may be getting close to solving the problem. When someone labels the problem, your thoughts are, "finally, we can find a way to solve this because now we know what it is." Your friend is going to have to realize that she may have to put that diagnosis down and start over. It's such a frustrating process. We've learned that school does not fit all children. We don't understand why, but schools have evolved to a point where kids who learn a little differently can't cope in the environment. There are alternatives - but it puts the work onto the parent's shoulders. You are a great friend to try to get information to help.

I'm going to jump on the Sensory Processing Disorder band wagon. My daughter has it and I have done alot of research. It looks alot like ADHD but it won't respond to meds. So if a doctor diagnosis is ADHD and it's SPD then the child won't get any better.

Someone else mentioned The Out of Sync Child. It's the best book if you're trying to figure out if that's what your child has. Also, I think it's pretty hard to find people to diagnose anything around here, but in my experience if you go to an Occupational Therapist and get an evaluation they should be able to give your friend an idea of whether he has it or not.

Good luck.

Hi, I have a 5 year old with early onset bipolar, addhd combined type severe and sensory integration disorder.

ADHD can be misdiagnosed but most often it is that there is something else along with it that has not been diagnosed as well. Many times it is sensory integration disorder (sensory processing disorder) You should see a neurologist with your son. Dont just rely on a peditrician alone to diagnose and treat neurological disorders.

Also request from the school district a multidisiplinary evaluation for support in general education under 504 services. or RTI.

The school district must offer him support if he is determined to have problems in the classroom because of the ADHD.

Call your PPCD office (special services) in the schol district to request an evaluation.

As far as meds go, My son has tried Ritilin, and Concerta (at my request) and they both made him worse (becasue of the bipolar and his young age) but he takes Abilify and Trielptol and we now have a different child and it is working perfectly for him!!

Good luck- A. J

I read an article a few months back in Dallas Child magazine about a child who was maybe ADHD or dyslexic (the doctors weren't sure because his symptoms were mixed). The parents kept pushing for answers and ultimately found out their son has Sensory Integration Disorder. Here's the link to the article on the Dallaschild.com website: http://www.dallaschild.com/showarticle.asp?artid=477.

So if you are not comfortable with the diagnosis, I encourage you to keep pushing!

Oddly enough my husband has adult ADD. Our Chiropractor has asked him to remove gluten, wheat, dairy, corn, sugar and soy from his diet for 3 weeks and add them back slowly to determine if this will alleviate some of the symptoms. It is well worth looking into. Our entire family has adopted the eating habits and even I feel much better. Dr Laura Precourt in Plano is incredible with children her website is www.drlauraprecourt.com

My friend just had her son tested for food intolerance, kind of as a last resort, due to the way the meds made her son seem so vacant. He is highly intolerant to wheat, milk, cheese. He has eliminated all 20+ foods in his diet (most will be added back in in four months) and not almost four weeks later, she is sold that that is what the problem has been. He has been kicked out of preschool after preschool and could not find the core issue...I think she has found it. She called Immuno Laboratories (they are the only lab that can duplicate the results due to how rigid their standards are) to find a doctor or chiropractor to order the testing. They guarantee that eliminating the foods will correct the issue or they refund you your money. I do know Blue Cross will cover the test. She can call Lisa at Immuno Laboratories for more info too: 1-800-231-9197 x 6251

Our pedi in Frisco will only use this lab. Dr. Bain ordered the test for my girls due to chronic ear infections---95% of ear infections are due to food intolerance---it has worked for both my girls. Not one ear infection since we started.

Hope this helps.

Stephanie,
Has your friend ever looked at the fact he ma be dyslexic, there are many forms of being dyslexic and sometime the coping mechanisms can be taken as adhd. Mt daughter was thought to be a problem in the classroom because she talked all the time, a coping skill for dysgraphia, needed to have instructions repeated induvudually because of the dyslexia, thought she was not paying attention. My daughter is a great reader, some dyslexics are, but she cannot spell. Again the teacher thought she was not paying attention.
Food for thought, K.