Speaking of ADHD...

[Tsuga]

ADHD children more common in kids who are younger for their grade level:

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/education-35772654

 

The headline is clickbait, don't mind that dismissive tone (my apologies if you can't help minding it).

 

In fact the researchers do not suggest that ADHD is "just" immaturity, but that many children who are "just" young are misdiagnosed with ADHD because of classroom expectations and norms which are set according to the "average" (i.e. December-January born) children.

 

They suggest that this may provide evidence for the hypothesis that some of the rise in rates in ADHD is due to changing expectations.

 

Such research would not apply at the individual level, because probabilities are just that. At the individual level, every child is who they are, and the fact that some September birthdays could be misdiagnosed doesn't tell us anything about whether any given child is misdiagnosed.

 

This research is most helpful I believe for policy makers who set expectations for the classroom and for practitioners not sure how to answer a parent who is concerned about the child's behavior at school.

[Arcadia]

I wonder how ADHD is diagnosed for school age kids in Taiwan and London. Those I know locally and in my home country were referred by the school but not diagnosed by the school. Those that go through the school for evaluations are seen by a private psychologist reimbursed by the school district.

 

ETA:

We have many referred who was not diagnosed as ADHD. So locale dependent? I hear a lot more possible autism diagnosis after friends kids were referred. I do know a teen with ADHD that was obviously different and his mom said he has a ADHD IEP.

Edited March 12, 2016 by Arcadia

[SKL]

When I called my HMO to try to get a referral for testing for auditory processing disorder when my kid was 6, they made me first see a developmental pediatrician.  Over the phone, before ever seeing my kid, the MD decided she must be an ADHD case because (a) she was young for her grade and (b) she was adopted.  How's that for logic?  Needless to say, the APD testing never occurred.  :/

 

So yes, call me cynical, but I do believe they over-diagnose younger kids.  I know several kids on ADHD meds who have April - September birthdays.  I know none who have October - March birthdays.  Coincidence?

[Tap]

I guess it depends on what age the kids are diagnosed. 2 of my kids weren't diagnosed until they were older, but it was apparent at a young age.

 

I have a husband with ADD, 2 bio kids with it, and 1 adopted. 2 summer birthdays, 2 fall.  So the older vs younger student idea doesn't hold true in our house. 

 

Dh was diagnosed ADHD in the 70s, so well before the surge in diagnosis.  He is the person with 5 tasks started, and none finished.  He was the kid who never sat still, talked constantly, and rarely slept.  He was that annoying kid that never.stopped.moving or making noise. 

 

DS was diagnosed ADD in 10th grade. We knew he had it before that but it didn't cause problems until then, so I didn't push for a diagnosis before then. He is very young for his grade, but by 10th grade, it was glaringly obvious that it was not an age/ maturity issue. He is the quintessential 'hyper focus or no focus' kid. He either had an 'A+' on his school work and had notes of praise written all over it, or a zero because he didn't bother to do it.  There was no middle ground for him.ever.

 

DD17 has ADHD and is the human version of a Labrador puppy. She is old for her grade, very, very smart, but even at 17yo, she rarely sits still. Her teachers in high school will let her stand up in most of her classes if she is off of her meds. 

 

DD9 is the destructive type of ADD. She need constant stimulation to the point that she will pick a fight, flip over a desk, hit a hole in a wall, or just generally destroy things...just because she is bored and her brain wants stimulation.

Edited March 12, 2016 by Tap

[Rosie_0801]

Dd has been diagnosed with ADHD, but she's been under enormous amounts of stress for the past two years, so I don't know how much the diagnosis is worth.

[Arcadia]

Dd has been diagnosed with ADHD, but she's been under enormous amounts of stress for the past two years, so I don't know how much the diagnosis is worth.

My friend's 9 year old daughter's teacher bought her this tactile chair cushion for school. My friend says it really helps her daughter stay in her seat in the classroom and at home for homework. Her daughter has already used it for months and still likes it.

 

It is something like this link.

http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Functions-Spiky-Tactile-Cushion/dp/B001LL3PN6

[Tsuga]

Likes, obviously, are for people sharing their stories, not for the fact that some of you and family members are having difficulty concentrating.

[Rosie_0801]

My friend's 9 year old daughter's teacher bought her this tactile chair cushion for school. My friend says it really helps her daughter stay in her seat in the classroom and at home for homework. Her daughter has already used it for months and still likes it.

 

It is something like this link.

http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Functions-Spiky-Tactile-Cushion/dp/B001LL3PN6

 

It's always good when you find something that works, especially if it doesn't involve drugs or surgery!

[Arcadia]

It's always good when you find something that works, especially if it doesn't involve drugs or surgery!

The mom is trying to avoid medication so she is happy that it works well so far. Her daughter use the cushion in the car too like a booster seat.

 

Her daughter also needs much higher level of physical exercise so they get in as much exercise as possible at the tennis courts and the pool or just lots of running.