And I have to say it feels good to be among people who understand how utterly frustrating parenting a difficult child child is. When I was pregnant, I had grandiose ideas of how sweet our life would be. What a shock reality can be at times. My son is 5 years old now, but was diagnosed at about 3.5 with odd/adhd (the process was started when the director of his daycare strongly suggested it). The problem is that I think there is more going on than his official diagnosis suggests. The medications he's on to calm him definitely work for the adhd, but I think he has some type of problem processing data or relating data back to me. He doesn't make sense when he's trying to relate a story about something he's seen or experienced. Nor does he EVER tell me how his day at school went. Every single day I ask how school was- his response is "fun". I ask what about the day was fun and he always, always tells me he can't remember. I've been reading posts and see many people suggest a neuropsychologist evaluation which is what I need for my son, but I don't know what kind of doctor to go to for this. I looked on my insurances website and the search for neuropsychologist yields no results. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.
Hi all- I'm new here
- Thread starter raerae0
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flutterbee
Guest
Hi and welcome.
A neuropsychologist evaluation is done by a Neuropsychologist. Some insurance cover it and some don't. It depends partly on what state you're in, as well as what it is uncovered during the evaluation. If they come up with something with a medical basis, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, then they can get the insurance to cover it. Otherwise, insurance companies like to call it 'educational' and claim that the school districts should pay for it....very hard to get. Everyone (psychiatrist, tdocs, etc) was surprised when our insurance covered ours (Ohio is not a good state for health insurance and mental illness coverage), but I believe it's because the neuropsychologist used the anxiety diagnosis.
A suggestion...it can be hard for a 5 year old to get into details of their day. When I would ask difficult child how her day was I was opening myself up for an all or nothing answer...and it was always, 'terrible'. So, I started asking specific questions: What did you study in science today? What did you work on in Centers? That kind of thing.
There is a thread in the General Archives on ADHD and Executive Function that you may find useful.
Welcome to the board. It's a wonderful community. :flower:
A neuropsychologist evaluation is done by a Neuropsychologist. Some insurance cover it and some don't. It depends partly on what state you're in, as well as what it is uncovered during the evaluation. If they come up with something with a medical basis, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, then they can get the insurance to cover it. Otherwise, insurance companies like to call it 'educational' and claim that the school districts should pay for it....very hard to get. Everyone (psychiatrist, tdocs, etc) was surprised when our insurance covered ours (Ohio is not a good state for health insurance and mental illness coverage), but I believe it's because the neuropsychologist used the anxiety diagnosis.
A suggestion...it can be hard for a 5 year old to get into details of their day. When I would ask difficult child how her day was I was opening myself up for an all or nothing answer...and it was always, 'terrible'. So, I started asking specific questions: What did you study in science today? What did you work on in Centers? That kind of thing.
There is a thread in the General Archives on ADHD and Executive Function that you may find useful.
Welcome to the board. It's a wonderful community. :flower:
timer lady
Queen of Hearts
Just popping in to offer you my welcome to our little corner of the cyber world.
You'll find lots of wisdom & even more support.
I agree with Heather - break down your questions of difficult children day. My tweedles are 13 & I still have to ask very specific questions about their days. Otherwise it's the same answer as your little guy gives you.
The neuropsychologist evaluation can be difficult to set up - generally starts with a referral by pediatrician. As I recall, we had to have very specific reasons for it to be covered by insurance & we had a very significant wait.
Again - welcome. Others will be along - as it's a holiday it may be a bit slower than normal.
You'll find lots of wisdom & even more support.
I agree with Heather - break down your questions of difficult children day. My tweedles are 13 & I still have to ask very specific questions about their days. Otherwise it's the same answer as your little guy gives you.
The neuropsychologist evaluation can be difficult to set up - generally starts with a referral by pediatrician. As I recall, we had to have very specific reasons for it to be covered by insurance & we had a very significant wait.
Again - welcome. Others will be along - as it's a holiday it may be a bit slower than normal.
meowbunny
New Member
Hi and welcome. Believe it or not, a lot of what you're describing is pretty typical for a 5 YO. Some at that age are very articulate and can describe things in chronological order. Many don't even come close. I found it best with my daughter to get her to break things down. As was said, ask very specific questions about school.
If she told a story, her little mind was going wayyyyyyy faster than her mouth. So, the story would be all jumbled. Whenever she got me confused, I would put up one finger (our signal for let me say something) and start asking questions. That helped get the story in order and teach her about chronology. It took awhile and sometimes even today her mind wins over her mouth but at least most of the time stories are told where they make sense.
As was said, you've found a great support group. Lots of good advice and, more importantly, comfort.
If she told a story, her little mind was going wayyyyyyy faster than her mouth. So, the story would be all jumbled. Whenever she got me confused, I would put up one finger (our signal for let me say something) and start asking questions. That helped get the story in order and teach her about chronology. It took awhile and sometimes even today her mind wins over her mouth but at least most of the time stories are told where they make sense.
As was said, you've found a great support group. Lots of good advice and, more importantly, comfort.
Marguerite
Active Member
Welcome. And while I recognise others are trying to allay your concerns, what you describe does sound familiar to me. It may just be part of the ADHD, or you may need to do some reading on Asperger's or some other form of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). But do not self-diagnose, you need to get that done by an expert.
From my own experience, it helped me to have a few ideas under my belt to talk to the doctor about. It provided a short-cut to diagnosis. We'd been running around like headless chickens for many months, when I stumbled across Asperger's Syndrome, read about it and went straight to the doctor. His response was to smack his own forehead and immediately write a referral for us, to a specialist.
Whatever it is, even if it is just ADHD, it is always a good thing, I feel, to keep an open mind about the diagnosis in case there is something else there which needs attention.
Parental instincts can be very powerful. Follow their lead to either find your fears groundless (and be reassured) or get some earlier answers than you otherwise would.
Good luck, keep us posted.
Marg
From my own experience, it helped me to have a few ideas under my belt to talk to the doctor about. It provided a short-cut to diagnosis. We'd been running around like headless chickens for many months, when I stumbled across Asperger's Syndrome, read about it and went straight to the doctor. His response was to smack his own forehead and immediately write a referral for us, to a specialist.
Whatever it is, even if it is just ADHD, it is always a good thing, I feel, to keep an open mind about the diagnosis in case there is something else there which needs attention.
Parental instincts can be very powerful. Follow their lead to either find your fears groundless (and be reassured) or get some earlier answers than you otherwise would.
Good luck, keep us posted.
Marg
BusynMember
Well-Known Member
raere, I strongly suggst a neuropsychologist evaluation. While none of us can diagnose a child, yours at least has some serious Learning Disability (LD) issues (and I personally don't trust school district evaluations) and he may have high functioning autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified or Aspergers). It is typical for those on the Spectrum to have trouble making sense when they speak. He could also have an auditory processing problem--my daughter has this, however she is very articulate and does express herself well--this shows up with her mostly when she tries to comprehend what she reads (it's getting much better due to lots of early intervention). Is your son a social child? Does he interact with his peers in an appropriate give-and-take manner? How is his eye contact? Does he have good imaginative play? I would do the neuropsychologist anyways--they do lots and lots of testing and can catch trouble areas that other professionals never look for. That's what finally helped us and it made a big diff in the life of my Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) son. He also got that ADHD/ODD diagnosis. first, then bipolar. You don't want to go there, I'm sure. NeuroPsychs can be found at University and Children's hospitals. We were lucky. We didn't have to get a referral. We just found one and were able to go and get coverage. Good luck.
busywend
Well-Known Member
Welcome! Contact your local Children's hospital and ask for a mental health team for children. Sometimes called a Multi-disciplinary evaluation. There would be a neuropsychologist on the team.
My difficult child could never tell me how her day went either. I always got the one word answer.
My difficult child could never tell me how her day went either. I always got the one word answer.
I have never ever made a major mistake with one of my kids by following my instincts. The mistakes that I count as major are ALL times I went against my instincts.
If you think there is somehting going on, the school district should be able to do some testing. You should also get a neuropsychologist evaluation, or an evaluation by a developmental pediatrician. We absolutely LOVED our devel. pediatrician. He has a neuropsychologist on the team, so the evaluations were all combined.
Sending welcomes and hugs!
Susie
If you think there is somehting going on, the school district should be able to do some testing. You should also get a neuropsychologist evaluation, or an evaluation by a developmental pediatrician. We absolutely LOVED our devel. pediatrician. He has a neuropsychologist on the team, so the evaluations were all combined.
Sending welcomes and hugs!
Susie
daralex
Clinging onto my sanity
My daughter exhibited the same symptoms (she is now 13) - she was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing disorder. This cannot be "officially" diagnosed until children are about 9 and they are assessed by an audiologist. It mimicks short term memory loss and add. The information goes into their head but they have a very difficult time retrieving it. Short choppy instruction works well - too much info at once overloads them. Not saying for sure this is your issue - but wanted to share what I knew. Good luck!!!
M
ML
Guest
Welcome!
The wealth of wisdom, experience and friendship here is amazing. I'm so glad you found us (but sorry you had to.
MicheleL
The wealth of wisdom, experience and friendship here is amazing. I'm so glad you found us (but sorry you had to.
MicheleL
