9 year old boy diagnosed with add at 7 - ADD / ADHD Message Board

MandyAnne26 · 02-21-2004, 08:08 AM

My 9 year old son was diagnosed with add almost 2 years ago, he was origionaly on ritalin 10mg twice a day and is now on the sr one. I was wondering if anybody with any experience with learning disabilities could help me to understand if he has add or another learning disability. His symptoms are:
-figity, and has a hard time focusing (better on his meds but the problem is still there) he has a very hard time doing independant work, but he works well in a group, he is not hyper on or off his meds
-very argumentative (i have read this can go along with add)
-is very slow to get any written work done (even on meds and with extra help in resource class)
-has a very hard time getting his thoughts down onto paper, he can verbilize his thoughts, but has a very hard time writting them down
-is much better at writing than printing, he printing is almost unreadable, his teacher wont allow him to print anymore because she can't read it
-has some trouble in math...
-he is an excelent reader, he reads much better than most children his age and retains alot of what he reads
-he has an excelent memory when it comes to facts and things he's interested in.
He doesn't have any bad behaviours in school so he's at the bottom of the list when it comes to seeing anybody about whats going on with him, i'm starting to think he may have something other than add, he has gradualy improved in completing school work, but in a lot of area's he's still not at the same level as his other classmates and in some ways he's farther along so i'm not quite sure what is going on....any help would be great.

* Free ~ Spirit * · 02-21-2004, 02:06 PM

Sounds like a learning disability. There are actually quite a number of learning disabilities that specifically have to do with writing.

Please read "A Mind At A Time" by Dr. Mel Levine.

You may also want to do some research on different learning styles and personality types. He might be gifted in some subjects but have learning disabilities in other subjects. You should have him tested by a learning specialist.

MandyAnne26 · 02-23-2004, 05:41 AM

I have that book actualy, i have 3 of his books, a mind at a time, the myth of lazyness and i have a childrens book he did. i just unfortunitly haven't had the time to read it(i have a very demanding 18month old, no excuse tho i know). I did pass it along to his teacher tho, i haven't met with her since she returned it but i'm hoping she found some useful information in it.

badkat · 02-23-2004, 06:32 AM

I have an 8yr old boy, whom was diganosed when he was 5 in k-garten all brought on by mainly behavior then...started to fall behind in class. He was diagnosed with ADHD---we decided to medicate, after that his behavior improved tremendously--academically his grades went up!! Until this year he is 3rd grade and starting to struggle with reading/comprehension. We have literally tried everything to help him, he is tutored after school (by his teacher) a couple nights a week, we bought the hooked on phonics program, we read to him nightly - or have him read, he goes to the local library once or twice a week to read and check out books of interest (which is really really hard!!!) anyway...nothing seems to be working!!! Went back to his doctor for some suggestions!! and she said by the sounds of his problems - does well in math/science...but when it comes to anything reading wise - no good!! His teacher has started giving him tests orally and that does help quite a bit,,but studying is hard for him... his doctor suspects a learning disability... Now--check with your state - but in my state the school has 30 school days to test my child upon parents consent. So... it would definetly be worth it to check it out and get him tested if the school isn't initiating (??spell) it you as a parent can.. Like I said my son's teacher says my son is very well behaved, respects others and does stay on tasks doing his work, but something is not clicking with reading so we are getting him tested.

Now everything I have searched on and people I have talked to - LD's and ADHD can commonly have the same symptoms!!! (sooo hard to understand what is what!!!)

Hang in there!! hope some of this helps

Michelle.

MandyAnne26 · 02-23-2004, 08:27 AM

Yes, it is hard to know what is what....
As far as testing is concerned from what i understand they have a councilour that travels to different school, but because my son is functioning well, hes at the bottem of the list. he doesn't act out, gets along with other children and to some degree is getting his work done...he is in resource class which gives him alot of one on one help. I'm in canada, and here as far as i know there is no regulations concerning the school testing him. He did a drug trial (one week with no meds, one with with a low dose and one week with a higher dose), me or the school didn't know which he was getting and we filled out a form every week, and one at the beginning to see if there was any change in him while on the meds. He had alot of the charictoristics of add, he thankfully is not hyper, so we put him on the meds.....i'm more concerned with the future, right now when he gets behind it's hard for him to catch up because he does go so slow, i will find the time to read the book though, and see if it offers any help.