Needing resources, help, and some encouragement PLEASE!

Alice - posted on 04/19/2011

I know that no one ever wants to do this because it is their child we are talking about here. But if there is ever a time you do not feel like your child is getting the right diagnosis from their doctor and you are not getting cooperation for the schools. You can take your child to the hospital, tell them they are a harm to themselves and others. (if this is true of course) They can put them in the hospital for a short stay, they can do the blood work and the test and they can diagnose your child. Depending on the depth of your child's issues this can be used as a first or last resort. It is not what we want and we feel like we are doing something horrible to our child. It is hard to be the parent sometimes.

Beccy - posted on 04/16/2011

I live in Tampa as well & was also told that no official DX could be made til she turned 6...so last year in VPK & this year of kindergarten have been very stressful. BUT I do think it gave us time to see her progress from a very wild 3/4 year old to a 6 year old who tries pretty hard sometimes. We were at wits end until we decided to change out ways and go the route of "rewarding rather than disciplining" Now we still discipline, but I dont yell & scream as much as I used to LOL. Weve grown together as a family just by trying to keep positive. But now that she is 6 and she was just DX, were going to be testing out some meds this Summer & poss keeping her on them in 1st grade. Basically my advice would be, just try to stay calm during the very hardest of times. They feel our stress more than we realize. And before you know it, she will be 6! Oh, and have a meeting with her school next year to tell them all about your situation. They should be more than willing to work closely with her. If they don't, then find a place that will. I'm sorry I'm not very familiar w/ how medicaid works but if you can get approved counseling, do it until she's ready to be seen by a child psychiatrist. I suggest CHEER Counseling in Brandon FL. Everyone there is so amazing! I really hope to help you a lil bit. Good luck & God bless!!!

April - posted on 03/09/2011

Thank you all for your suggestions a little up date for y'all she went back to the therapist yesterday and did diagnose her as ADHD it wasn't a surprise it was a feeling of relief for me because I have reasources now to help her. I'm looking at all the links y'all have posted and again thanks so much!

Kate - posted on 03/09/2011

Hi April,

Have hope. I suggest you go to your local school district and ask to have you daughter evaluated. The request needs to be in writing. If the preschool is willing to support you and either contact the school district or write a "referral" that will give additional support to your request. My son was provided services for speech at 3 and put into a special preschool program that the district paid for at 4. He was then diagnosed with ADHD by a psychiatrist at the age of 5. The school district paid for the psychiatrist's evaluation. He was diagnosed with severe ADHD and the psychiatrist recommended medication at the age of five. You can check out the Federal regulations for special needs kids at www.idea.ed.gov. Just so you know, it is the school's job to monitor children's performance. If the school has difficulty managing your child in Kindergarten, they will speak to you about having your daughter evaluated. You can either be proactive and approach the district now or wait until Kindergarten. You can also see if your district has a SEPTA group. It is a parent organization for children with special needs. They can also give you direction. Although your daughter hasn't been diagnosed with ADHD, you can also visit www.chadd.org. It is a national support organization for children and adults with AD/HD and their families. Hope this helps you. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

Kate

Jane - posted on 03/09/2011

My son got his first tentative diagnosis at age 4 (ADHD) and his first test-based diagnosis and medication at age 5 (ADHD and ODD).It was obvious at age 3 that he had problems but we weren't desperate enough yet to seek out a therapist. It is quite possible to diagnose young children and begin treatment if the child is a danger to herself or others as it sounds like your daughter is and my son was. The diagnoses will continue to evolve over time - my son was diagnosed at age 7 (ADHD, ODD, Bipolar) finally with the diagnosis he retains today at age 16. So yes, you CAN diagnose children under the age of 6.



As others have said, you need a different doctor. You can find one on your own - http://www.healthgrades.com/adolescent-p... is a list of Tampa child psychiatrists. http://www.networktherapy.com/FL/Tampa-T... gives a list of Tampa therapists. http://www.networktherapy.com/FL/Orlando... gives a list of Orlando therapists. http://www.healthgrades.com/adolescent-p... is a list of Orlando child psychiatrists.



However, you might consider contacting the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg. They have the Rothman Center for Pediatric Neuropsychiatry, which means they do brain scans and other tests to find the physical areas of the brain that work differently from normal. This helps a great deal in obtaining a diagnosis because you end up with proof of physical causes of psychological problems. It also gives you medical proof that your child has special needs that the school district cannot deny. My son went to a neuro-psych unit when he was in middle school and it helped immensely.



You can contact the center at:



All Children Hospital

Department of Pediatrics,

University of South Florida

800 6th Street South

4th Floor North, Box 7523

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: (727) 767-8230

Email: Rothmanctr@health.usf.edu

Christine - posted on 03/09/2011

We used the school services to see if our child had a speech problem. Note - you can use this service BEFROE they start school. So don't wait, call the nearest elementary school and get the help you need.

Maureen - posted on 03/09/2011

If your child is being educated in the public school system, the school is responsible for evaluating your daughter. Whether or not you have insurance makes no difference; the cost for the evaluation is paid for by the school. this evaluation is federally mandated; a public school can NOT refuse this. If you have not already, you need to write a letter to the Special Ed director. State that you believe your daughter has special needs, and that you are requesting that the school perform an evaluation. Most likely this eval will include testing by a Speech/Language therapist, an Occupational Therapist, and a Psychologist. School can not just wash their hands of a problem and kick a child out. For more information/ideas/support, go to www.wrightslaw.com. I have two special needs children, and that website has helped me a lot. Good Luck!

Alaina - posted on 03/04/2011

Okay so you need to take your child to another doctor... Thats what it comes down too... I cant tell you who, I live in Idaho... But my childs pediatrician said that she has diagnosed children as young as 2 and had to medicate because they are violent or are a threat to others or themselves. Your daughter sounds like she fits this catagory. My son is on Medicaid as well and we have had to switch doctors 3 times untill we found the right one. This is what you are going to have to do, is just search out a pediatricians office close to your home and read the doctors bio's, I did this until I found a doctor that specialized in ADHD. We made an appointment and I couldnt be happier with the results. These are real concerns that need to be addressed especially if this isnt her 1st problem at school like this. I would definitely try starting with google. If your Medicaid in Florida works like ours here in Idaho they cant tell you which doctor to go to, they can only suggest the ones that they contract with, which usually arent the best places.