Re: ADD/ADHD again

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 9:11:33 A.M. Central Standard Time,

pcknott@... writes:

My middle daughter and I both have ADD, I only wishe I had the

hyperactivity part of it! in GA

,

How were you diagnosed? I've been called scatterbrained so often that I'm

beginning to wonder if I have ADD myself!

Putz

Illinois Families for Hands & Voices

_www.handsandvoices.org_ (http://www.handsandvoices.org/)

_www.ilhandsandvoices.org_ (http://www.ilhandsandvoices.org/)

Email: support@...

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 9:11:33 A.M. Central Standard Time,

pcknott@... writes:

My middle daughter and I both have ADD, I only wishe I had the

hyperactivity part of it! in GA

,

How were you diagnosed? I've been called scatterbrained so often that I'm

beginning to wonder if I have ADD myself!

Putz

Illinois Families for Hands & Voices

_www.handsandvoices.org_ (http://www.handsandvoices.org/)

_www.ilhandsandvoices.org_ (http://www.ilhandsandvoices.org/)

Email: support@...

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 9:11:33 A.M. Central Standard Time,

pcknott@... writes:

My middle daughter and I both have ADD, I only wishe I had the

hyperactivity part of it! in GA

,

How were you diagnosed? I've been called scatterbrained so often that I'm

beginning to wonder if I have ADD myself!

Putz

Illinois Families for Hands & Voices

_www.handsandvoices.org_ (http://www.handsandvoices.org/)

_www.ilhandsandvoices.org_ (http://www.ilhandsandvoices.org/)

Email: support@...

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 10:12:03 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

pcknott@... writes:

They do know about ADHD kids and HOH and ADHD act very similar IF the HOH

child isn't getting the needed supports. Because with my own child, I have

seen her just not get it (the first time in 5K without classroom

amplification, if they had given grades she would have had F's.) and I have

seen her have

horrid behavior in 3rd grade (teacher refused to use FM). To me, with an

oral child, the first thing that causes inattention is the inability to hear

audibly.

You could be describing our Ian in parts of this ... he just never acted

out. He simply closed down.

In our experience, the school insisted that Ian was ADD, but we knew it

wasn't the case. The testing they used to push their assessment was purely

observational. Ian would tune out and then completely zone out, because he

couldn't

follow instructions or classroom discussions. The teacher felt this proved

her point that he was ADD and needed to be medicated (BTW, legally she was not

suppose to ever say that to us because teachers are not qualified for such a

diagnosis). Also, she was a pacer and refused to face Ian when she spoke.

She often had other children reading aloud (with their faces practically inside

the books, speaking in whispered tones) so he had no hope at all of

following along. And Ian had no FM yet. Their " evidence " seemed to support ADD,

until

you looked at it from a D/HOH perspective.

An important point to remember in this process is that ADD/ADHD can't be

diagnosed by anyone at the school. Not even the school psychologist. All she/he

can do is recommend further testing be done. They can have their opinions,

they can quote their test results until they turn blue, but this diagnosis will

be made by YOUR doctors.

It is really hard to tease out a diagnosis of ADD when you're dealing with a

kid whose D/HOH services are inappropriate or insufficient. It was especially

hard with our oral kid who seems to hear you just fine -- as long as he can

see your face ... whose enunciation is better than some of his hearing

peers. We ignored the school's pushing on this and went to our doctors for an

actual diagnosis.

Had our doctors recommended medicating Ian, we would have followed their

advice in a heartbeat. We'd have done whatever he needed. But they didn't. In

fact, they insisted that his ADD-like issues were based on his hearing loss and

helped us fight for appropriate services and support.

This can be a tough diagnosis, so I would start with a doctor I trusted and

ask for help and referrals. That's how we managed the same process. It wasn't

quick or easy. It took us about 6-months, but we were fighting an uphill

battle on a couple topics. We saw a neurologist, a clinical psychologist, and

even an ophthalmologist (Ian's pupil are of different sizes -- a potential

genetic marker) to make sure the final diagnosis was right on point. Our

pediatrician acted like the point-man, coordinating everyone and writing the

official final diagnosis to be submitted to the district.

It can be confusing and exhausting, so ask questions here as things

progress. I know Barbara and others are so well informed on this subject

because

their kids have the double whammy. My personal knowledge is really limited to

the

testing process.

Best of luck -- Jill

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 10:19:25 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

semesky@... writes:

Or, there can be an associated biochemical imbalance unrelated to hearing

loss. They're starting to find that many children diagnosed as ADHD are in

actuality clinically depressed or suffer bipolar disorder which sounds scary,

but basically means that the child cycles between either feeling normally

happy or depressed or to feeling " manic " and depressed. Manic does not

necessarily mean happy. It can mean angry, agitated, inattentive,

argumentative,

disorganized, unable to self motivate...all of the things that are associated

with ADHD behavior.

,

Great post. Thanks for adding in other things that could be at play. I hate

that ADD is jumped on so easily as a diagnosis.

My nephew was identified as ADD and medicated, but it was a misdiagnosis.

The medication was simply wrong for him and did not do what it was suppose to

do. It had side-effects of twitching and other odd things, and did nothing to

change the ADD-like behaviors The boy's reactions to the meds were not at

all appropriate. My sister was savvy enough to pull him off the meds, but she'd

had enough of the doctors and the process and did not go further in

diagnosing the real issue. The boy is still a, um, challenge.

So many things can have ADD-like symptoms that it really does take a good

doctor -- or set of docs, to reach the right diagnosis. OCD can mimic it as

well. And while those behavior tests that the school does are helpful as a tool,

they are woefully inadequate for a final diagnosis.

Best -- Jill

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 11:14:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

Parentsofdeafhoh@... writes:

My middle daughter and I both have ADD, I only wishe I had the

hyperactivity part of it! in GA

LOL ... wouldn't it be great if that could be bottled?! Jill

January 27, 2006

In a message dated 1/27/2006 11:14:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

Parentsofdeafhoh@... writes:

My middle daughter and I both have ADD, I only wishe I had the

hyperactivity part of it! in GA

LOL ... wouldn't it be great if that could be bottled?! Jill

January 27, 2006

Depression can also be mistaken for ADHD. If the ADHD meds don't solve the

problem and/or seem to cycle, you may very well be dealing with depression.

Actually, ADHD meds can make these kids worse. Kids with hearing loss and/or

illnesses feel trapped because they have to live in a world with something they

can't " fix " They struggle to socialize and function in the world around them.

This can lead to depression and ADHD like behavior. Or, there can be an

associated biochemical imbalance unrelated to hearing loss. They're starting to

find that many children diagnosed as ADHD are in actuality clinically depressed

or suffer bipolar disorder which sounds scary, but basically means that the

child cycles between either feeling normally happy or depressed or to feeling

" manic " and depressed. Manic does not necessarily mean happy. It can mean

angry, agitated, inattentive, argumentative, disorganized, unable to self

motivate...all of the things that are associated with ADHD behavior.

January 27, 2006