Posted by Sulpicia on June 26, 2001, at 21:38:02
In reply to Re: The Bipolar Child, posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 19:33:03
>I really *like* your attitude and the advice you've been given so far.
A huge part of any diagnosis is impairment, which isn't there in your son's
situation. I hope things work out for him in school.
Some suggestions, take or trash as you see fit:
be rigid about preventing/addressing behaviors that teachers hate, especially
hitting. This will help him keep a low profile, so to speak.
make sure he gets enough sleep -- lack of it makes every child behave worse.
make sure he eats a good breakfast before school and has a lunch that he likes --
hunger/low blood sugar makes for bad behavior.
if the school starts in on you for testing or evaluation, you have the option of not
doing it, or using private clinicians. If you refuse any sort of evaluation, you'll likely
get into a loosing battle with the school, which will ultimately be bad for your son.
If you use the clinicians who already have a relationship with your son, you can probably
get some breathing room by having the pdoc write a letter saying something like a differential
diagnosis in a small child is complex and he should be observed at length -- it's good medical
practice and can conceivably buy you 6 months at least.
I agree that you probably want to avoid diagnosis/classification/labeling for as long as
possible unless you are in an extremely wealthy school district where they have good resources
to help the kids they identify as needing help.
Nobody can make you give your child stimulants. They are not always indicated in every diagnosis of
ADHD; if the differential dx has bipolar in the picture, stimulants may never be in your future, tho
some kids w/ADHD and BP can use them after mood stabilization is achieved.
If he is diagnosed with ADHD, avoid the unproven alt. med treatments. All are hazardous to your wallet
some can actually harm children, but the lack of effectiveness undermines the child's [or adult's!] self-
esteem, and when this drops, trouble follows. I have files on this subject, and research references to
a few that aren't harmful and show some efficacy for certain kids, if you ever get to that point. Just ask.
You are also under NO obligations to share your suspicions or any medical info about your son with the
school -- at this point I wouldn't either.
If he isn't learning to read, get a tutor from outside the school. Try your local child study center for
a referral and expect to pay ca. $50 per hour near major cities.
If he can't read by the end of the year, have him tested for learning disabilities -- they are often comorbid
with ADHD or bipolar. They can also *look* like ADHD.
Be alert to signs that school is too much for him, like headaches, tummy aches, and not being able to get up in
the AM -- these are probably signs that you have to act to change his situation.
Investigate any and all private schools w/in 1 hour of your home; don't be dissuaded by price because at least 40%
of the students at any given private school receive financial aid.
Just learn what your options are in case the public school system doesn't work out.
And realize that both ADHD and bipolar disorders are highly treatable. They can be scary at times and unpredictable
and maddening but they are not predictors of doom.
My daughter has both and is doing extremely well after a hiddeous onset last summer.
I cope with ADD, mild dyslexia, and depression -- I'll finish my doctorate this coming spring at an Ivy university.I wish more moms had your attitude, poise, balance, and common sense.
S.
ps: what from I've read, the greatest single predictor of ADHD or bipolar is
family history, and more strongly for bipolar that ADHD.
poster:Sulpicia
thread:248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/251.html