A grandma sent me an Ask Me question over DrClaudia.net. She was concerned about how quickly, and without significant evidence, a pediatrician determined that her grandson had Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and ripped off a prescription from her pad and announced, "Let's see how this works"!
Yep, my hair's on fire when I hear this kind of stuff. The medications (not drugs) used to minimize the effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder are powerful psychiatric medications. This process cannot be done on a "screening" basis! If your child needs medication, be really serious about it.
THIS is why I recommend that you at least start out with a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist if you have one in your area. Some states don't even have one. The profession is spread thin! These folks are specialists in every nuance of these medications and you're likely NOT to have innumerable medication "attempts"/trials which can leave your kid feeling like a science experiment.
I gave her a lot of information about how I go about diagnosing ADHD and it's not a one-step process. Here's the information from a recent blog post. It's a very brief summary of "how" this gets done.
I also directed her to my ADHD tutorial. Chock full of info. Also, she can go to the DrClaudia.net, Resources page and download the extensive developmental history that I used in my practice. It tells me a great deal about the "why" behind the "what". The information often "filled in the blanks" of the assessment results.
Long ago, I evaluated a child from an Orthodox Jewish family. They had 8 children at the time. Once I tested the child, parents asked me for 7 more copies of the developmental history form because they realized just how much they learned about their oldest child when, as parents, they sat down together and worked through the items.
Several months later, they came in to talk about two more of their children. They realized that if they intervened earlier, the outcome is more promising. Smart, smart people.
Yep, my hair's on fire when I hear this kind of stuff. The medications (not drugs) used to minimize the effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder are powerful psychiatric medications. This process cannot be done on a "screening" basis! If your child needs medication, be really serious about it.
THIS is why I recommend that you at least start out with a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist if you have one in your area. Some states don't even have one. The profession is spread thin! These folks are specialists in every nuance of these medications and you're likely NOT to have innumerable medication "attempts"/trials which can leave your kid feeling like a science experiment.
I gave her a lot of information about how I go about diagnosing ADHD and it's not a one-step process. Here's the information from a recent blog post. It's a very brief summary of "how" this gets done.
I also directed her to my ADHD tutorial. Chock full of info. Also, she can go to the DrClaudia.net, Resources page and download the extensive developmental history that I used in my practice. It tells me a great deal about the "why" behind the "what". The information often "filled in the blanks" of the assessment results.
Long ago, I evaluated a child from an Orthodox Jewish family. They had 8 children at the time. Once I tested the child, parents asked me for 7 more copies of the developmental history form because they realized just how much they learned about their oldest child when, as parents, they sat down together and worked through the items.
Several months later, they came in to talk about two more of their children. They realized that if they intervened earlier, the outcome is more promising. Smart, smart people.
Photo credit to Fox News
I shared the story of Adonis Watt, a freshman at Brophy Prep in Phoenix. He is a running back for his team and scored two running touchdowns last week. Here he is with one of his coaches. Adonis said that his coaches "trust him and he just did his job on he plays".
When asked how he runs when he cannot see what's in front of him, Adonis replied, "You just trust your instincts, trust your players, trust the play. To be blind, you have to be able to trust other things since you can't trust your eyes". He explained to Steve Doocy of Fox News that "he relies on practice reps to know where the hole in the line is supposed to be".
This kid breaks my heart with joy...
Yes, Adonis, you DO get good at what you practice. You practice your plays, have faith and trust your instincts. What's not to love about this guy.
I'm going to follow him and see how he does. I need inspiration everyday and I miss the kids in practice to give me daily doses. OK, now, I'm getting a bit teary-eyed here, so I'm moving on!
When asked how he runs when he cannot see what's in front of him, Adonis replied, "You just trust your instincts, trust your players, trust the play. To be blind, you have to be able to trust other things since you can't trust your eyes". He explained to Steve Doocy of Fox News that "he relies on practice reps to know where the hole in the line is supposed to be".
This kid breaks my heart with joy...
Yes, Adonis, you DO get good at what you practice. You practice your plays, have faith and trust your instincts. What's not to love about this guy.
I'm going to follow him and see how he does. I need inspiration everyday and I miss the kids in practice to give me daily doses. OK, now, I'm getting a bit teary-eyed here, so I'm moving on!
Waffle House image on Facebook
If you're a Southerner like me and even if you're not, you just might know about the important role that Waffle House plays when we have dangerous weather.
I think this conversation says it all. Here's a bit of history from Wikipedia and here's how Waffle House helped during Florence. Jump teams and generators. Yep, they're Southern, alright. Walt Ehmer does a great job as CEO. He's not too shabby at the cooking and serving part, either!! Thank you, Walt! We just love ya'!
Americans. We get up, dress up and show up when the "crap hits the blades" as my Dad would say. (Dad didn't swear.)
OK, friends and family! That's about it for now! See you next week!
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. You don't want to miss a thing!
I think this conversation says it all. Here's a bit of history from Wikipedia and here's how Waffle House helped during Florence. Jump teams and generators. Yep, they're Southern, alright. Walt Ehmer does a great job as CEO. He's not too shabby at the cooking and serving part, either!! Thank you, Walt! We just love ya'!
Americans. We get up, dress up and show up when the "crap hits the blades" as my Dad would say. (Dad didn't swear.)
OK, friends and family! That's about it for now! See you next week!
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. You don't want to miss a thing!
