Why is having the right diagnosis so critical? Because you need to support the correct area of deficit. Interventions and strategies are tailored to the specific areas of concern. Interventions and supports are different for someone who has dyslexia compared to someone who has ADHD. Those who have dyslexia need a certain level and type of reading invention. To determine the level and type, you need to have a qualified and licensed psychologist to first assess and identify what kind of dyslexia (orthographic, surface, mixed, phonological) and then how severe the dyslexia is for that individual. Those with ADHD will need behavior modifications, possibly medication, or both and in addition specific accommodations for extended time and support for specific areas identified, such as a computer for writing and support for executive functioning deficits. The supports and interventions are completely different depending on the diagnosis!

I once worked for a district in the past and was asked to assess a child who was eligible for special education services due to characteristics of ADHD by the school. As I began to assess the child, I realized that he had a visual processing deficit, and because he didn’t have the right diagnosis, his supports weren’t tailored to his needs and as a result he was acting out in class. He was avoiding math by walking around the room and trying to be the class clown. What did this looked like to everyone? ADHD. He couldn’t sit still, was talking out, appeared impulsive and began to be suspended. His self esteem was negatively impacted and didn’t feel like he was smart enough. After the evaluation we were able to change interventions and supports and you may ask, what happened? The suspensions seized, he was more confident in his work, and no longer roamed the room or distracted others to avoid the work.

How can you help someone who has a learning challenge? Make sure the interventions and supports are unique to that individual. How can you do that? Make sure you’re addressing the correct area of deficit!

Medication is always a touchy subject to discuss when it comes to family, friends, coworkers, your students, and the list goes on and on. It seems like everyone has an opinion formed. Opinions can be positive due to it being a miracle drug and making behaviors or symptoms disappear. They can also be negative, because they completely changed your child's personality and behavior and you can hardly recognize them. Either way opinions have been formed, but what happens when you have a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD? What happens when you have been exposed, influenced, and have your mind made up about the use of medication for this specific diagnosis and then all of the sudden it is your choice?

There are a couple of things when deciding about medication for someone who has a diagnosis for ADHD. First, who diagnosed your child? So often we take our children to their pediatricians who has prescribed the medication, but have they completed the evaluation necessary to ensure that the behaviors/symptoms your child is exhibiting is in fact ADHD and not a Specific Learning Disability or an environmental factor? Or maybe the teachers at school are telling you, your child is having a hard time keeping his hands to himself, and is avoiding work and acting out and then they say, "I think your child has ADHD." Then what? You take them to the pediatrician and tell them his teachers are saying that he has ADHD and then all of the sudden, you have a full prescription ready to go.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get a psychoeducational evaluation completed by a licensed professional to accurately diagnosis ADHD, and rule out the possibility of a Specific Learning Disability, or any other environmental factors that may be impacting how your child is acting in school or at home. It is only then, when you have an accurate diagnosis that you would even consider medication. However, you may be surprised that your child could have ADHD and the Licensed Psychologist NOT suggest you take them to the doctor! Your child could have a mild form of ADHD and simply need accommodations and behavior modifications to support their diagnosis.

Medication is such a touchy subject, but there are so many variables to consider and I hope I was able to bring some perspective to the subject. The take away from this, make sure you have an accurate diagnosis first!