My Daughter Might Have ADD...

Hi J.,
My son is in second grade and he was diagnosed with ADHD. He was not focused in class and at home. The doctor prescribed medication as a last resort. We tried focus activities and nothing would help. The medication has worked wonders and now he is an honor roll student. The teacher says that he is her star student. So you have to do what's best for the child.

My friend had a daughter with the same issue. There's a tutoring school here in Palm Beach called Learning RX. From what she told me, they help the children by teaching them how to focus. She swore by it. I think they have a website and may have a school close to you.

Hi! I am a psychologist with two children that have ADHD, one hyperactive and one not. Your post sounds like you blame yourself or think there is something you could have done to prevent this. Let me assure you that there is nothing you did or didn't do to cause this. It is not really a whole lot different then if you suspected she had diabetes. If she needed it you would get the diagnosis, give the medicine and do what it took to control the diabets. No different with ADHD (except the medicine is much more controversial for some reason I can't fathom). We medicated both of our kids to give them every opportunity to suceed. My son is 19 now and I really don't think he would have made it through high school as well as he did without his medicine. He is not on drugs, doesn't smoke, didn't get anyone pregnant and is an all around pretty good kid because we worked hard to give him the rules and restrictions that a kid like him needs.

A couple of suggesstions: 1. don't go to your pediatrician for diagnosis (they really are not equiped to do this although many do) 2. Read, read, read all you can about the disorder. 3. See if you can find some parenting classes in your area for help in dealing with children with behavioral issues. 4. Don't discount medicine just because some people tell you it is bad for your daughter.

You are welcome to e-mail me (____@____.com) if you have any other questions.

Stay calm, Sweetie. You sound like this teacher has you freaking out. We are, fortunately, in an age where ADD can be treated, and successfully at that. I'm guessing there are ADD/ADHD organizations that can point you in the right direction for having her evaluated. Once she is, if it is determined that she has it, they will teach you and her skills to overcome a lot of it. Also, grades aren't everything. After all, Lincoln was a manic depressive with dyslexia and look what he accomplished in life. Don't stress so much, your beautiful little midget is still beautiful and will have a wonderful life, ADD or not. One step at a time, get her evaluated. Good luck.

The school has to help you...it is the law. As a mother of 3 boys, one girl on the way...oldest with Autism/ADD combo and the middle one in kindergarten who just tested as high gifted I have had to wade through the process. Go online and Google FDLRS for your local site. This will put you in the system for testing. Calling your local school board representative also does a world of good when no one returns your call! But FDLRS is the first step. They test. They assign someone to you at the school and you are then considered ESE (Exceptional Student Education) and they will give your daughter an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that is updated yearly. If your doctor recommends medication, as ours did and we fought it until he said "if your son was diabetic, you would give him insulin. His body needs help and this is what will help". So we cut out red dye, yellow dye, corn syrup and started the lowest dose of medication. We had a different (good) kid in two weeks.
I wish you the best! Remember, as a mother it is our job to fight for our kids until they are old enough to do it for themselves.

I completely understand, my daughter now 9 has ADD. It took us a long time to get it right. In our area you have to get evaluations done by a psychiatrist, pediatritions will not do it.My husband and I had a hard time deciding what to do but we finally decided to medicate her. We felt it was not fair to let her suffer through school and that she deserved every advantage to help her. It took a few differents meds to get it right but once we did it was like night and day. She also has a 504 plan which allows her accomodations at school like untimed testing etc. ADD is considered a disability so once you have her evaluation in place you can talk to the school about a 504. I hope this helps, good luck I know it is a hard thing to deal with, but it will be ok.

Hi J.,

Please don't panic. Most ADD and ADHD diagnoses can go away with a few simple changes in your life. You have already gone further than a lot of moms by removing the artificial sugars and eating healthier. These days, with the food supply the way it is, with shipping all over the world, pesticides and preservatives are used rampantly. These are synthetic chemicals that affect the brain. You can take the diet a step further and eat organically as much as possible. I have found it is not any more expensive to do that if you want to. I can explain that further if you're interested.

The next thing is to detox! You need to remove all the synthetic chemicals from her body and her life; that is not only cleaning supplies and bath and body products but the laundry detergent that her body is wrapped in during the day. The reason that alot of meds are given through a patch is because the body absorbs things directly into the blood stream. Synthetic chemicals don't just go away in the body. They have to be removed.

J., I consult and do seminars on environmental toxins and I specifically target child behavioral disorders. Most children don't have a fighting chance with the nuerological damage that all chemicals do. Think about how many more chemcials exist now than when you were little. If you detox your home, her immune system will build so that she can fight these things off when she is exposed to them elsewhere, like at school.

I have seen success with ADD, ADHD, Asperger's Disease and even Autism. Detoxing can be simple and also very inexpensive. There is never a time it is not beneficial. It usually just doesn't occur to us until we see a problem manifest itself...Let me know if you'd like more information. I'd love to help.

Regards,

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

Good Morning!
I have fought the exact same battle with the school my niece/daughter attends and teh ONLY way I got anywhere was to go online to MyFlorida.com and look up for education and get in touch with the "head honcho"; and he did reply to my email with a phone call; and now my niece/daughter is in a special class and getting the help she needed since starting kindergarten there! I forced them to test her and she is learning disabled; and at least now she is getting the help she needs & deserves through the school! We tax payers pay them for their jobs, the least they can do-is do their jobs! Good luck and my best wishes for your search for help with-in the school system!
Truly,
Kathy N.

J. V,

My 2 cents would be to not let them push in the direction of medicating your daughter. When my son was in daycare..yes daycare they said he had ADD..maybe ADHD. I did have him tested, and just as you mentioned about your daughter being "intellectual and studious". That is the diagnosis. They are smart children and if they are not mentally and intellectually stimulated, they get bored, stare off into space, stir up a bit of trouble in class, fall of their chairs, swing their legs, don't listen, you name it my son has done it. He never took naps, they called and complained, because all the other kids slept and he would play with his feet. I took him to get tested and this is what they told me.
I signed him up for soccer, which he loved this help to work off some of his pent up energy and I just found things he was interested in and kept him busy. I never ever ever gave him drugs and he is fine. All this occurred when he was 4, he is 12 years old now and as long as I find him things that are challenging, he is fine. You should have a heart to heart with Chloe, find out things that she likes. Things that are fascinating to her, magnetix, building things, then check the ace educational store. Sign her up for gymnastics or whatever else if this is affordable and let her be Chloe with no drugs. I hope my 2 cents help in some way.

Good afternoon,

I have a now 14 year old child that starting in 2nd grade, gave us a run for our money paying attention. We did all the things you are doing and had great success, it does take time to alter there learned behavior. Give it more time. I would also have a meeting with the teacher. I would let her know that you expect certain things from her, which are within your right as a parent to have done.

(1) She needs to be brought to attention when the teacher notices her drifting. It is as simple as asking her a question about what they are working on. She also needs to give her an accademic challenge. We found our child fell into the highly gifted catagory & was simply bored out of his mind.

(2) Call your schools county headquaters & tell them that you are getting very little assistance and would like your child tested for gifted (not add) please do not let them push you into treating this like a doctor and drugs are needed.

(3) Go directly to your principle and demand to be give an IEP (Individual Education Plan for your child) this will help the teacher and you figure out helpful strategies to dealing with issues of concentration and learning.

You sound like you have a smart child on your hands. The problem with this gift is that we let it go un-challenged and they shut down due to bordem. Challenge her at home as well. Get the information on what they are learning that week at school and make a challenge of games or reward for things she can tell you, or for application of the information and so on.

By 3rd grade she should be placed into the gifted program. If this is not done by your school - request a change of venue to one that will adequetly respond to your childs situation. The worst thing you can do is not push for the things that the school should be doing, but are to lazy or crazy to give without question.

If you need any more help or someone to bounce information off of, please contact me. I have been going through this for quite some time.

Good Luck.

J.,

If I am not mistaken, by law, the school system has to have your daugter tested and evaluated. I say the next step would be to contact your county school board since you are not getting anywhere with the school.

I too went through this. The school will not make it easy for you to get your child tested although it is a service they should provide. There are just so many children who need the services and not enough providers to go around, Anyway the way around it is to have the pediatrician write a prescription to have your daughter tested..

Hello J. ;

I had a similar situation with my son last year . My son attends a Charter School in Hiealeah Gardens , which has been an A+ for the past 6 years . I expresed my concern about my son ( I thought he had ADD )because as your daughter my son was distracted easily , Well I asked to have him evaluated , they told me it was going to take months , I told them I don't care I demanded that I wanted him evaluated , To my surprise in a week he was evaluated by the district dr. she was very understanding with my concerns , and I got the help I needed. My son did not have ADD , he was just getting bored. You most demand for her to be evaluated . I was a big Pain in the royal behind ( but very diplomatically) . We pay taxes , that is the least they can do . It can also has to do with the school . Belive it or not you get more help from public system than you do from private , BUT MOST DEMAND IT !! I hope my suggestions can help you

Good Luck

~ A.

Please advocate for your daughter. Believe me if you dont nobody will. Teachers are not able to diagnosis your child for anything. Yes the schools must test your child and make a reccomendation. Have her tested by your to make sure there is no medical problems. Maybe be the areas that her grades are not as good as the others,require a mentor in thoes areas. You also may look at her diet and use the internet for other suggestions. DO NOT LET THEM FORCE YOU TO PUT YOUR CHILD ON MEDICATIONS UNTIL ALL OTHERS AREAS HAVE BEEN TRIED. This should also help you to become a more understanding and helpful teacher one day. May God bless you to get through this.

I work for MDCPS & I must say something:
1) the school system DOES NOT test or diagnose ADD or ADHD so the teacher is RIGHT. Your pediatrician is misinformed, telling you to DEMAND the school test or diagnose these conditions.These are considered to be MEDICAL diagnoses and must come from a medical doctor such as a pediatrician, psychiatrist or neurologist. Personally, I believe in specialists, so I would say to find a pediatric child psychiatrist and get the diagnoses. There is a form, Form#2128 that you can ask your child's teacher to print out for you; this is a Mutual Exchange of Information. This gives the school (teacher, counselor, Assistant Principal)permission to discuss your child's behavior, etc w/ the doctor to HELP your child in the school setting. It also gives permission for the teacher to fill out surveys, etc, which are a usual part of ADD and ADHD diagnoses.

2) a mamasource mama posted and said for you to demand an IEP. In MDCPS, a student does not have an IEP unless PLACED in a program such as Special Education, this includes Gifted. So, this is NOT something you can demand.

3) you can 'try' and demand Gifted testing, but I can tell you that the teacher is a part of the meetings (called SST, Student Study Team)that occur before ANY evaluation (Special Education or Gifted)and the teacher will bring up your daughter's 'possible' ADD/ADHD at that meeting and, once again, you will be steered in the direction to get that MEDICAL evaluation done on your own...

4)so: what to do?
write a note to the school counselor requesting a meeting w/ you, the counselor and the teacher. You should state in the note that you are writing the note bcse the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL told you to contact her/him. If you want the school psychologist involved (for another opinion/more input- not bcse you want the psychologist to go ahead and test your child- it does NOT 'just' happen that way), ask for a SST. THAT you can request(as opposed to 'demanding an IEP like a poster suggested), but keep in mind you most likely WILL be asked, in the SST, what you've done about the possibility of ADD...ie: have you spoken to a doctor yet?

5) it sounds like you're really trying! so, you can bring all these things to the meeting as well (change in diet, alarm clock for responsibility, etc.). You may want the teacher to try a reward system/behavior chart- something so that you get a daily report of how she did in school and then you can reward her/take away privileges at home. Teachers, in general, do not like to do these, as they barely have any time in the day & they see this as added work...so this is why it would be good to bring up w/ the counselor there, too...together, you can come up w/ ideas of how to reward her at school w/ 'tangibles' (sticker, smileys, stars, computer time, classroom jobs, etc) and 'intangibles' (praise, etc). Then you'd do something similar at home, too. I would see how that goes as I worked on figuring out the 'medical' side of this,too...

Good luck & PLEASE keep us posted!

To get attention at a public school, you have to be a squeaky wheel. There is a difference between an annoying pain in the butt and a squeaky wheel so be careful not to cross the line! If someone doesn't return a phone call within a reasonable amount of time, you need to march yourself down to the school and see them in person

I agree with J.. She might be advanced and need to be in a gifted class or skipped to 2nd grade. My nephew was like that and got into alot of trouble until they put him into an advanced class with harder work.

If you demand that the school evaluate her they are required by law to do so. If she needs additional help there are programs within the school to provide that. She will get evaluated every year and a goal plan is set up. She will get extra reading help if she needs it.

Also any extracurricular activities that she is interested in will help. I went through this with my daugther. Music and marching band and art have helped her tremendously, expecially with her self esteem. She have classes and activities that she excels in and have helped her stay focused. We did try the Ritalin for about a month but it made her feel like a zombie so we stopped. She has come a long way by herself in improving her reading comprehension and her grades. She was diagnosed when she was in 3rd grade and until I demanded the school evaluate her they also gave me the run-around.

Keep on them and keep giving Chloe all the love and praise you have been.

Hi J.
I do understand what you are going thru and do not blame yourself that you are doing something wrong because your not. Reading how desperate you are is understandable and makes you an awesome & concerned mom. I too have a son who is ADD and is on medication. My oldest son who is turning 21 was diagnosed with ADHD when he was around 11-12 y/o. I took him to my Psychologist who evaluated him & gave me the diagnosis. She recommend I put him on medication which I did and he was put on Adderal. I did not like him on that medication because he was not my son, he was like down & looked depressed. It did help him in school but I did not like what I saw. He was not on that medication long & I just let him be who he was. In time he did get better though. But now my youngest son who is 9 has been diagnosed with ADD and I thought it was because my husband passed away in a car accident so it was something that hit us hard & plus he had just turned 6.

But anyways I took him to a Pediatric Psychiatrist & he diagnosed him with ADD. He put my son on medication called Focalin 5 mgs. Let me tell you, I love that medication because he has improved immensely in school and he does not look like if he is down. Don't think because they are ADD that they are not smart, they are its just they have a lack of concentration. I do not give him the medication when there are no school days, weekends & even on his vacations. I do not want him to rely on the medication. Once he starts school I wait to see how he does and I always tell the teacher to watch him & to let me know if she see's that he is not concentrating. Even my son tells me when he needs to be back on the pill.

This week I am starting him on the medication again because the teacher told me she is noticing that he is not concentrating and is not finishing his work. I took him to his Pediatrician and he gave me the rx for the medication. The Ped. always has blood work done on him just to make sure everything is fine before he starts the medication. The pharmacy always has to order the med. because this is a controlled med. Talk to the ped. about this and ask him/her about putting her on this med. I hope this information helps and I am sure she will improve in school.
Good Luck
R.

I read that you are staying away from sugars. Try to avoid all foods with red dyes and see if you notice anything different in her behavior. Some children are very sensitive to this additive (red dye 40).
Above all, you know your child very well and perhaps her intellect is what is getting the best of her. You know, sometimes very intelligent kids can get bored quite easily and sometimes they are the ones who don't do the work. In a public setting, if you don't fit the mold than you have ADD. Even if she does, hey, it's not a handicap! ADD does not define her. She can also be intelligent and have ADD. Medication isn't always necessary. You could set up some accommodations with the teacher. Don't jump to soon to the diagnosis because sometimes what appears to be ADD by the professionals can be wrong. Sometimes you can meet all the criteria in the checklists and they are for some other reasons. Many children, for example, are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD when in fact they had sleep apnea - which can produce the same behaviors. Keep up the good work and don't fret over this! Your child is still the same intelligent and bright child she always was!

Hello, J..

Your daughter sounds precious and the steps you mentioned are good ones. Continue to love her, hug her and talk with her about what she's feeling. Try not to stress too much because children do pick up on this and react to it in different ways.

One of the posts mentioned read, read, read. And, I agree. I have a booklet that may help you with other options and making the right choice of meds over vitamin therapy. It talks about a drug free approach using four simple strategies: identification and treatment of underlying conditions, optimal nutrition, non-toxic environments, and supportive parenting/partnering.

If you would like a copy of it, please e-mail me with an e-mail address where I can send you a .pdf file. I'd be happy to send it to you.

Take care. E.

We went through a similar experience when my oldest son was in 1st grade. While we did eventually reach the conclusion that he has ADHD, the main issue at that time was a poor fit with he and his teacher. Teaching is a demanding profession, and my hats are off to each and every teacher, however, not every teacher is suited to every child.

We tried lots of different "behavior modification" strategies in class, worked with the guidance counselor, spoke to the principal several times, had meetings with all of the above together, and eventually requested to have my son moved to a different classroom. When none of these efforts worked out, we politely removed our son from school for the remainder of the school year and finished off as home-schoolers. Drastic measures, I realize, and I'm not saying that's what you should do, but ADD or ADHD is a big label to place on a child and we as parents should do so carefully and prayerfully, making sure we rule out any other possibilities. We weren't ready to jump to that conclusion and the teacher had very little patience or compassion for our son in the meantime.

It sounds like you are doing a terrific job as a parent, so it's likely she will ultimately thrive, both in school and in life. Keep in mind, it's only 1st grade. The fundamentals are reading and math at this stage, the social studies and science concepts being presented are not "building blocks" for future learning, but more of an introduction. Of course you want your child to earn good grades, as do all good parents, but perhaps you could set aside that concern temporarily to focus on what's motivating your daughter, how she thinks, etc. Think of these early grades as years to "work out the kinks." As my husband pointed out when our son was in the same place, "he has a lot of years of school ahead of him, we don't want him to get burned out this early!" So, my advice is put your daughter's emotional needs first and make sure that teacher is compassionate and patient, not just trying to put a label on a child who doesn't perfectly fit the mold. And of course, seek professional evaluation for your own peace of mind, perhaps over the summer? The information you learn can be key for a better placement next year. Good luck!

J.,

Could it possibly be that your daughter is bored? If she is on a second grade reading level but being forced to sit through first grade work that she can already do no wonder she is having trouble paying attention! Talk to Chloe and ask her to tell you what is happening and if she thinks she is having trouble paying attention and why. You'd be amazed by what she will say.

My daughter had similar problems in first grade (she was also already reading etc. and one of the kids who was "advanced"). The teacher would call me and complain that my daughter didn't wait for her (the teacher) to read the directions on her work before she did the work, and then she would take out a book and read when she was done. We ended up having her tested for the gifted program and the teacher started sending her out to special education classroom as a "helper"/tutor.

Talk to your daughter and definitely insist on the school testing her. I would ask them to test her for the gifted program as well as for ADD.

Good Luck!

Not to worry. My son is now 31 and he has and had ADD they can get by and do very well. One thing with ADD sugar and soda act the opposite in these kids. it has a calming nature for them. Make sure she has no RED DYE in any of her foods and a natural thing to use is Valerian Root.

I feel your pain, I had a problem with my son who is now 20 years old finally got him through school ( finished online with an accreditted school) and today he is in the police academy and going great with the exception he can never make and keep friends. You just continue to work with your daughter help her find away to learn that she is comforted about not you or her teachers. Yes you demand that the school have her tested they fight you until the end this way they can put her in special classes that mainstream.By special classes I mean smaller classes so that the teacher can spend more time with her and help her stay focused, someone can't remember who told me to think of my sons mind like a television set that the channels keep changing. She is so young and I bet she is very smart most of these kids are, however the 123/abc sometimes doesn't work for them but believe me there is a way to teach her and you mom will have to be the one. Please stay encouraged and continue to love and shower your daughter with kisses if possible stay away from the meds but their are kids that do need it. My son didn't fair well so I took him off, please send me an email if you just need to talk this is not an easy road I wish I had someone. I'm so proud of my son today all the tears, money, and time was so worth it.

By federal law any educational problem a student has must be addressed and services provided. If the school system doesn't have the resources them they have to pay for out side help. The feds can take away any or all specil ed funding we're talking millions. Plus you have the right of arbatration paid by the school system Pl94192 and there's other that help the special students Start at the school principal then go to the district office and let slip that you might sue them and you might notify the fed dept of education. I taught 25+ yrs in exceptional ed.

Hi J.. I know you have a lot of responses already but want to add my "2 cents" if I may. I have been there and am still going through it. I have a 2nd grade son who was diagnosed at the end of Kindergarten with ADHD but we tried everything but the medication. Modified the diet, tried behavior mod, firmer discipline, more activity to wear him out - nothing really worked. Finally tried medicine (which we hated to do) but it has turned our lives around. He is now a very happy and successful 2nd grader who has calmed down enough to be tested for gifted and qualified. So they can go hand in hand - these super intelligent kids who can't seem to focus. One word of advice is if you can go outside the school system for testing and evaluations. We were fortunate to be able to as the school testing would have taken so much longer to get us to where we needed to be now. We have had supportive teachers, doctors and family and really feel that we did all we could before the medication. He is on Focalin 10mg now but started on 5 and it got us through almost 1/2 the school year last year. He really seems more settled. Hang in there and explore all options and if possible keep an open and positive dialog with her teacher. Better to catch and start treating now than wait until she is further into school. Best of luck to you and Chloe.

Hi J., To be sure if your Daughter has ADHD-innatentive type or not, go to the experts. I wouldn't depend on the guidance counselor at your school for a diagnosis since that is not their area of expertise. A Child Psychologist or Child Therapist (master's level therapist-ie. LMHC)who specialize in those such disorders are more likely to give an accurate diagnosis. Your daughter may indeed have ADHD-innatentive type, but you want to be absolutely sure before you begin treatment with her. It's important to rule out any other possible problem/disorder (differential)before settling on ADHD. ADHD is one of the most over/misdiagnosed disorder so seek the professionals, or maybe even a couple of them to be sure. If you're attending UNF, consider visiting Dr. Gabriel Ybarra in the Psych department. He's on the 3rd floor of bldg 51 (social sciences). He's an excellent Child Psychologist and has a private practive as well. Best of luck.

We are dealing with a similar situation so I sympathize. Contrary to what one poster said, I have been told that you can have the school psychologist (all of the MDCPS have one assigned to them) to have your child evaluated for learning disorders. If you request this, they are supposed to comply within a "reasonable" period of time. If she it is determined that she has one, then they are supposed to give you a 504 Plan (?) for your child's education.
I am also told that many kids who are gifted are also ADD/ADHD, so talk to the teacher about having her referred for gifted testing. On this, I believe it is the school's call on whether or not she should be tested (but I'm not 100% sure about that). However, if they don't decide to test her for giftedness and you still feel she should be tested, then you can get a test done through a private psychologist on your own and bring those results to the school. Check to make sure the psychologist is approved by MDCPS to do the testing, so you don't waste money on a test the school won't accept.
It may be ADD, it may not. Maybe she's gifted and just bored because she's not being challenged. But check out all of your options on the education side before jumping in to anything. The one thing I have figured out is that as much as I hate to complain or make a fuss about anything, I have to be an advocate for my child first, because if I don't do it, no one else will. So keep in touch with the teacher and keep calling the school administration until you get your questions answered.
Good luck.

It's not like ADD/ADHD is the worst thing in the world!My son has it too....he was diagnosed officially in 3rd grade but had been having attention problems all along. What a blessing that you are catching it so soon! My son takes medication and it makes a HUGE difference. He doesn't like the way he acts when he forgets to take his medicine. Do your daughter a favor and have her tested! If she continues to get poor grades, she will label herself as a poor student and things will go downhill from there. You can maximize her chances of success by having her properly treated! My son is in 8th grade now in a gifted program...but he could never have focused on his work without that intervention. See this as an opportunity in your daughter's life, rather than an obstacle.

K. G.

well they say these kids are very very smart kids they just can not focus very long on the same thing, because they get bored with it.
my son had ADHD, and he had a very hard time and no meds no matter what they put him on worked at all. he was on ritalin, focalin, adderall, seraquill, abilify, zoloft, well-buterall. and i do not know what else and nothing helped.but my sone also had bi-polar, and oppositional defiant disorder.
but maybe something will work for your daughter.maybe ask to try focalin first suppose to help the child focus. but I personally would never ever put a child on ritalin again.it just zombiefies them and they can not act normal and they loose weight because it slows down their appitite.also ritalin and adderall cause territ syndrom so i say no to either one. check anything they suggest for your child out on the internet. aslo if the meds do not seem to be helping after a month or two take them off.if by then it has not helped no matter what they tell you it will not help.
good luck. hopefully they get your daughter situated.

Don't let the school drag their feet about helping you. It sounds as if she needs to be tested for ADD and to be sure she doesn't have any other kind of learning disability. I'm almost positive that if you ask for her to be tested (especially since the teacher suspects ADD), they HAVE to test her. If you can't make contact with the guidance counselor, find out who the head of the Special Education Dept. for Dade County is, and go directly to that person. Also, get your pediatrician involved. Most doctors have a check list of behaviors, etc., that they can have the teacher fill out; this will give them a good idea of whether Chloe might have ADD or not. Then they can also request that she be tested. Also, the pediatrician might want to try some type of medication to help her concentrate. I know you've probably heard horror tales about Ritalin, but there are many other, better medications now on the market, which could be tried at low doses for a child her age. You sound as if you have done a LOT of the "right things" to help her cope and to encourage her learning. But you must get the school system involved. I'm sure Dade County also must have a support group of parents with children with special needs. Often, the folks in these groups really know how to access the system for services. I guarantee you the school CAN and SHOULD do something to help.

I think you may need to take a breather and step back and really look at what all is happening. Many children with attention issues are very bright, they just have trouble with focusing, staying on task, and maintaining order with some things. They need good accommodations, and people that are willing to work with them and fight for them on finding the right accommodations.

I know a lot of the posters on here are suggesting that the teacher isn't a very good teacher for your daughter, but I don't think it sounds that way. You said she has worked with you in several areas that have been helpful with your daughter like with her behavior. You said she has told you her focusing problem seems to be severe, and that she suspects ADD. She suggested you see the pediatrician, rather than going through the schools (although I'm not so sure that the school doesn't have resources for her, more likely they are painfully slow and inadequate at getting the ball rolling.) It sounds to me like she has a teacher that is involved, is willing to help you and your child with what she can, is willing to take extra steps that some teachers would not consider, and is paying attention to things that many would overlook. If the teacher is right, that your daughter is ADD and not ADHD, this problem is not always identified as easily, because the ussual hyper activity that many complain about is not an issue, and from what I understand girls in this area are often well behaved, fairly quiet, and almost opposite of children with the hyperactive version of this attention disorder.

I think you may need to try to contact someone else in the school if the counselor is not contacting you. Maybe talk to the principle and teacher again, and let them know what's happening, see if they can have you speak to anyone else, there should be other professionals that work at the school with these issues beyond just the counselor. I know the schools take a long time to get everything rolling even after you do get in contact with the right people. Just be patient, keep communicating with those you can get a hold of, and insist this be addressed the way it should be, and find allies to help out in advocating for your daughters needs. Do lots of research, and if you hear about any workshops, classes or anything like that dealing with ADD, advocacy, special needs accommodations, or any other applicable topic then you should find out if you can attend and go to as many as you reasonably can. They can be very informative, helpful, and are a good place to network and garner information from others.

Hi J., I hear you loud and clear. I hear it more often then I would like. That is why I am so passionate about what I do. I spent 10 years being that teacher that was always asking their parents to have their kids tested...until i learned the power of education, not medication. I reitred from teachin and now have a Family Practice that works with families to be better.

Please read the testimonials I have received recently:

Kim, Mom of Amber, 6, Garret, 10, & Shelby, 15
“After struggling in school for two years with not being able to focus and regulate his behaviour, my son, Garret, after 8 weeks on the Isagenix nutritional shakes, is a new boy. Normally, he would have at least one incident a day and sometimes multiple! His school said I should put him on a popular “doctor recommended medicinal program” to help maintain his focus. I chose Isagenix instead. He is able to focus and moderate his own energy so he can get the most out of his studies and relationships at school. We have noticed the change at home also. Our WHOLE FAMILY now has an Isagenix shake in the morning as our step toward our optimal health!”

Angela, Mom of Jared age 6 and Nyah, age 2.
My son was heading down a very BAD road in school. He was RARELY focused, always "fidgety," becoming increasingly defiant and a behavior problem, and he HATED THE ALPHABET!!! By the bizillionth time his teacher reported a bad day with him, I decided ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! That was a Friday. I decided to give him an Isagenix shake every day for a week and see what happened. By Monday morning, he'd had three shakes. Off to school he went. THAT DAY, his teacher reported an EXCELLENT day with him! Tuesday = AWESOME DAY. Wednesday = amazed look on her face = GREAT DAY!!! By the end of the week, he had had the best week in school he'd ever had! I have known for months that I needed to get these shakes into my kids, but my son refused. I TRIED forever, but he's a stubborn little cuss!!! Anyway, we are finishing up our second week of shakes, and school has become an awesome experience for him rather than a drudgery.

My little girl was born with special needs and has always been pretty much "in her own world." She rarely paid attention to anyone around her. She would never interact with others. She would tire easily and constantly take "cat naps." Once I started giving her a shake every day (starting end of September), the difference was night and day. Her aide reports that she pays attention to the other kids at school and even LAUGHS at them!! She's focused on the activities (NEVER BEFORE!!), and she's engaging in activities that I never thought she'd be able to do. AND she can go all afternoon WITHOUT A NAP!! In other words, she's wonderful!

I am here if you want.

B. H , B.A.;B.Ed
Family Nutrition Coach
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Before letting anyone talk you into putting your daughter on medication, please check into having her tested for a "gifted" program. Many children are misdiagnosed with ADD & ADHD when they are actually "just" smart kids who aren't being intellectually challenged enough in the classroom. It could also be that she has a kenetic (active) learning style and that that need isn't being met in her public school classroom. If you can at all afford it, your best choice is to move her to private school as quickly as possible. Some even have scholarship opportunities available.

Hi J.- First off I would like to say.... please Hang IN THERE. I know it is tough. I have a daughter who is ADHD and is prescribed a daily medication. When this first started I didn't want my child labeled. I personally thought she just didn't care about school, but I was so wrong. I have a child that would give her right arm to be a straight A student. When this first started with us I was told that our school system cannot make the diagnosis that it would have to be diagnosed by our ped. I then made an appointment with our doctor who gave us some paperwork for the teacher to complete. Once completed, we returned back to the peds who discussed the paperwork from the teacher. At that point medication was discussed. My daughter is now in the third grade and is 3 points away from making A/B honor roll. We are so proud of her. Hope this helps!