ADD Testing requested by school - Special Needs Children

Ma*Becca · 04-23-2009, 12:48 AM

My son's teacher recently asked I get him tested for ADD, he filled out the schools part of the paperwork and I filled out my share. I made an appt the following Tuesday and his dr. suggested we go through Phycare

I called and the lady said she can see him and provide medication for him but to have the actual testing done its $1500 to $2000 because tricare doesn't cover the testing

I called his Dr. back and asked for a referral to Balboa, tricare approved the referral but are sending me to a clinic in La Mesa where they don't do testing either just the ADD evaluation

I'm at a loss because I've been working on this for over 2 weeks now and haven't figured out how to get him tested. His school is still on Spring Break until May so I can't go back to them

I just want him to get tested so he can have an easier semester next month. He's so behind and was already held back once so they're unable to hold him back again regardless of how behind he is

How did everyone else have their child diagnosed with ADD?

bonafide · 04-23-2009, 01:29 AM

What "testing" are you looking for? They just did BASC paperwork for my son, and the psych saw him about four times and did some individual counseling and testing type stuff with him. Tricare covered everything.

bonafide · 04-23-2009, 01:31 AM

She did some developmental testing, and also a lot of observation to determine how quickly he became frustrated, what happened when he became frustrated, how demanding he was, how quickly he gave up, how quickly he lost interest, she noticed that he vocalized a lot (constantly blabbing essentially), and looked at the BASC for both school and home and plugged the info into a computer program, then evaluated the results. Again, Tricare covered everything.

Manchu Ma'am · 04-23-2009, 01:31 AM

The testing sucks. I went through testing from age 4-6 and was finally diagnosed and thrown on Ritalin for 14 years. Find someone who will make your DS comfortable. I am unsure of his age and/or the procedures but I hope you get good news!

bonafide · 04-23-2009, 01:59 AM

I think they've come a long way for ADD/ADHD since then Manchu. At least, I hope they have. Ds actually seemed to enjoy the time he spent with the psych. They did stuff that he found enjoyable, and he was excited to tell me all about it (I waited in the waiting room during the evals).

Cat · 04-23-2009, 06:44 AM

Tricare will cover the testing but it depends on where you are going and if they accept tricare. Maybe the first place you were going to go to doesnt take tricare.

We had our son tested for aspergers, and to make sure he had adhd even though we already knew that but we wanted a full diagnosis. His school even tested him to determine if he needed special ed services which he does and is now getting. You can also find a therapist that specializes in children and with adhd and as long as they take tricare you can go there.

Good Luck to you.

blinkybear · 04-23-2009, 06:58 AM

In my state...it is illegal for a teacher to come out and state, "get your child tested." I could get fired for this statement. So my blood is boiling right now.
Have you had a meeting with all his teachers to discuss his weaknesses and strengths? Have they provided him any instructional modifications first? Medication should always be the last step.
In the meantime look at his diet. Try cutting out sugar and food additives from his diet. See what your insurance will cover if you get him a food allergy test. This too may be causing behavior. This is what I recommend to my parents before looking at meds. PM me anytime.

gunsgirl · 04-23-2009, 08:12 AM

DD was tested when he was 9- we never allowed the diagnosis be entered into his medical records,
we worked exclusively with a child psycologist who specialised in ADD modification.

we also took a parenting class that was geared for parents of difficult children and learned how to parent a child with ADD.

he was never medicated- we altered our diets, and taught him life skills to deal with his ADD.

he was able to go into the military, fixed jet engines for 8 yrs, and is now in college full time,

there is life after diagnosis and up to each of us a parents to listen to them and those that spend the most time with our children.

OP you should be able to get him tested at Balboa- I will also ask that you get him tested for allergies- especially red dye, wheat, soy and orange.
also ask for a protien test- this test will make sure he is processing protiens properly

many ADHD children are "protien deficient" and it is reported that this deficiency ascerbates the hyperactivity.

and lastly- be proactive- you are your childs voice- !

Manchu Ma'am · 04-23-2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by gunsgirl

DD was tested when he was 9- we never allowed the diagnosis be entered into his medical records,
we worked exclusively with a child psycologist who specialised in ADD modification.

we also took a parenting class that was geared for parents of difficult children and learned how to parent a child with ADD.

he was never medicated- we altered our diets, and taught him life skills to deal with his ADD.

he was able to go into the military, fixed jet engines for 8 yrs, and is not in college full time,

there is life after diagnosis and up to each of us a parents to listen to them and those that spend the most time with our children.

OP you should be able to get him tested at Balboa- I will also ask that you get him tested for allergies- especially red dye, wheat, soy and orange.
also ask for a protien test- this test will make sure he is processing protiens properly

many ADHD children are "protien deficient" and it is reported that this deficiency ascerbates the hyperactivity.

and lastly- be proactive- you are your childs voice- !

I wish you were my momma....

my mother didn't do anything for me. Drugged me up for 14+ years... At 18 I completely stopped taking meds and finally lived my life my own way. You're awesome for doing all those things for your child!

OP I hope things have changed!! Good Luck to you and your DS!

~~Donna~~ · 04-23-2009, 09:45 AM

Gabe was just diagnosised with ADD by a developmental ped. it consisted of me filling out a few questionaires and his teachers filling out some as well. we choose to do meds because even the ped said that there isnt anything left for us to try that we havent already.

Get him an appt with his dr and get a referral to the developmental ped.

04-23-2009, 12:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ma*Becca Yours, Mine and Ours Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 6,691 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 24% Longevity: 30%	ADD Testing requested by school My son's teacher recently asked I get him tested for ADD, he filled out the schools part of the paperwork and I filled out my share. I made an appt the following Tuesday and his dr. suggested we go through Phycare I called and the lady said she can see him and provide medication for him but to have the actual testing done its $1500 to $2000 because tricare doesn't cover the testing I called his Dr. back and asked for a referral to Balboa, tricare approved the referral but are sending me to a clinic in La Mesa where they don't do testing either just the ADD evaluation I'm at a loss because I've been working on this for over 2 weeks now and haven't figured out how to get him tested. His school is still on Spring Break until May so I can't go back to them I just want him to get tested so he can have an easier semester next month. He's so behind and was already held back once so they're unable to hold him back again regardless of how behind he is How did everyone else have their child diagnosed with ADD? __________________ Loving my big blended family

04-23-2009, 01:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Manchu Ma'am First Korea, Now TEXAS! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ft. Bliss - El, Paso, TX Posts: 3,305 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (1) Activity: 68% Longevity: 34%	The testing sucks. I went through testing from age 4-6 and was finally diagnosed and thrown on Ritalin for 14 years. Find someone who will make your DS comfortable. I am unsure of his age and/or the procedures but I hope you get good news! __________________

04-23-2009, 06:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cat wife2Rob mom2Robbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 21,167 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 98%	Tricare will cover the testing but it depends on where you are going and if they accept tricare. Maybe the first place you were going to go to doesnt take tricare. We had our son tested for aspergers, and to make sure he had adhd even though we already knew that but we wanted a full diagnosis. His school even tested him to determine if he needed special ed services which he does and is now getting. You can also find a therapist that specializes in children and with adhd and as long as they take tricare you can go there. Good Luck to you. __________________ www.beautipage.com/cdiesta My wifeys are Kris, Jessica and Fireflys Girl.

04-23-2009, 06:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
blinkybear Come What May Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Him: Iraq Me: Lost Posts: 4,647 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 61% Longevity: 20%	In my state...it is illegal for a teacher to come out and state, "get your child tested." I could get fired for this statement. So my blood is boiling right now. Have you had a meeting with all his teachers to discuss his weaknesses and strengths? Have they provided him any instructional modifications first? Medication should always be the last step. In the meantime look at his diet. Try cutting out sugar and food additives from his diet. See what your insurance will cover if you get him a food allergy test. This too may be causing behavior. This is what I recommend to my parents before looking at meds. PM me anytime. __________________ Luvin' my wifeys: ashley, His_Girl, Kayla, Lildixiemiss, Lovemyjarhead, Onewife, redhead_navygf, Rei

04-23-2009, 08:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
gunsgirl I love cats Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: kingsland GA/ HITRON JAX Posts: 4,376 Classifieds: (3) Activity: 62% Longevity: 39%	DD was tested when he was 9- we never allowed the diagnosis be entered into his medical records, we worked exclusively with a child psycologist who specialised in ADD modification. we also took a parenting class that was geared for parents of difficult children and learned how to parent a child with ADD. he was never medicated- we altered our diets, and taught him life skills to deal with his ADD. he was able to go into the military, fixed jet engines for 8 yrs, and is now in college full time, there is life after diagnosis and up to each of us a parents to listen to them and those that spend the most time with our children. OP you should be able to get him tested at Balboa- I will also ask that you get him tested for allergies- especially red dye, wheat, soy and orange. also ask for a protien test- this test will make sure he is processing protiens properly many ADHD children are "protien deficient" and it is reported that this deficiency ascerbates the hyperactivity. and lastly- be proactive- you are your childs voice- ! __________________ GA licensed Realtor Dawn Last edited by gunsgirl; 04-23-2009 at 09:22 AM.

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04-23-2009, 01:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
bonafide Account Closed Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 109 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 10%	What "testing" are you looking for? They just did BASC paperwork for my son, and the psych saw him about four times and did some individual counseling and testing type stuff with him. Tricare covered everything.

04-23-2009, 01:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
bonafide Account Closed Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 109 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 10%	She did some developmental testing, and also a lot of observation to determine how quickly he became frustrated, what happened when he became frustrated, how demanding he was, how quickly he gave up, how quickly he lost interest, she noticed that he vocalized a lot (constantly blabbing essentially), and looked at the BASC for both school and home and plugged the info into a computer program, then evaluated the results. Again, Tricare covered everything.

04-23-2009, 01:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
bonafide Account Closed Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 109 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 10%	I think they've come a long way for ADD/ADHD since then Manchu. At least, I hope they have. Ds actually seemed to enjoy the time he spent with the psych. They did stuff that he found enjoyable, and he was excited to tell me all about it (I waited in the waiting room during the evals).

04-23-2009, 09:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
~~Donna~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Orleans Posts: 16,885 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 99%	Gabe was just diagnosised with ADD by a developmental ped. it consisted of me filling out a few questionaires and his teachers filling out some as well. we choose to do meds because even the ped said that there isnt anything left for us to try that we havent already. Get him an appt with his dr and get a referral to the developmental ped.