Malika
Well-Known Member
So, more tests this morning... The education authority doctor, who seemed nice and rather human and realistic in her comments. A small battery of tests - hearing, sight, various general intelligence tests. Everything is "normal". J moved around the room when he didn't have specific tasks to do but nothing too manic or excessive. He seemed pleased to be doing the tests and interacted very helpfully and smilingly with the doctor. Her comments? Yet again, that he concentrates much better than the typical profile of ADHD kids she sees, though he undoubtedly moves more than the norm, that there is no urgency at the moment about getting a diagnosis (no danger of that anyway ) She also commented that he actually moves around less and is more biddable than other hyperactive kids. She agreed very readily that hyperactivity can be caused by things other than ADHD. She gave me the number of a neuro-pediatre - neuro-psychiatrist for children?? - who apparently is the one to see for a second opinion at the hospital, not the paediatrician I saw. So I should have sat tight and waited rather than trying to organise things myself...
J impressed me with his concentration during some of the tasks, which were fairly intricate. I think he has been really well "trained" at school, where they sit and work autonomously without the teacher while she attends to other age groups. He seemed co-operative, friendly, a nice kid. Of course he saves all the awful stuff up for me, I know, but still, it all shows he is not driven by some motor he cannot control at all times but can modify his behaviour when need be. How much of his behaviour is related to anxiety?? A year ago, I'd say he was far more hyperactive in unknown, new situations than he is now and he has made enormous progress at school. At the same time, I see some social difficulties in that his over-intense energy and impulsiveness is off-putting to some kids, and he always wants to be the leader, the main man as it were, finds it hard to retreat quietly into the shadows with his peers and that too makes life difficult for him.
But basically... I can see that if he continues to do okay at school, we could just slip under the radar and he could go his whole childhood and life without having a diagnosis or any medication. Whether this is a good thing or not, I am not sure - arguments on both sides.
J impressed me with his concentration during some of the tasks, which were fairly intricate. I think he has been really well "trained" at school, where they sit and work autonomously without the teacher while she attends to other age groups. He seemed co-operative, friendly, a nice kid. Of course he saves all the awful stuff up for me, I know, but still, it all shows he is not driven by some motor he cannot control at all times but can modify his behaviour when need be. How much of his behaviour is related to anxiety?? A year ago, I'd say he was far more hyperactive in unknown, new situations than he is now and he has made enormous progress at school. At the same time, I see some social difficulties in that his over-intense energy and impulsiveness is off-putting to some kids, and he always wants to be the leader, the main man as it were, finds it hard to retreat quietly into the shadows with his peers and that too makes life difficult for him.
But basically... I can see that if he continues to do okay at school, we could just slip under the radar and he could go his whole childhood and life without having a diagnosis or any medication. Whether this is a good thing or not, I am not sure - arguments on both sides.