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2043512 tn?1330009081

15 Year Old Licks Fingers - Also, Poor Handwriting, Anxiety, School Issues

My 15 year old sons will occasionally lick the pads of his fingers.  When asked why he never has a reason.  It doesn';t seem as if he even realizes he's doing this until we point it out.  He also has very poor handwriting that affects his grades and school work.  Not just sloppy, but illegible.  He has anxiety about school and has serious mood swings.  He's been diagnosed with ADHD but medication doesn't seem to help.  Could he have been misdiagnosed?  I have been reading about SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) but do not want to jump to conclusions or self diagnose.  What else could this be?  We have been struggling with this for a few years now, so any help you could provide would be greatly appricated.  
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2043512 tn?1330009081
Doctors appointment was today. His pediatrician suggested counseling and re-evaluation by a psychologist to rule out something other the ADD.  He was hesitant to put him back on ADD meds with the posibility that there is something else going on.  He also ordered some bloodwork to check for thyroid, diabeties, cholesterol issues since this anxiety has also seemed to effect his weight a little in the last year.    
Helpful - 0
2043512 tn?1330009081
We have him schedule to see his pediatrician next week. sp we'll start there and see what he reccomends.  It could very well be an anxiety response to the problems he's having in school.  We've tried talking to his counselor but he hasn't been very helpful.  So we have requested meeting with his teachers individually in an effort to find a resolution to his problem.  Most of them have already agreed to allowing him to type up assignments, but he can never remember to turn them in once they're done.  Which goes along with the Attention Deficit issue.    
Helpful - 0
757137 tn?1347196453
If the medication is not helping him, then he should not be taking it. All the medications for ADHD have side effects. If what has been given him is not doing him any good, then he is getting the side effects without the help.
Helpful - 0
2044027 tn?1330023228
have you taking him to a regular doctor? I would also take him to a counselor, there may be some underlining problem that no in the family is aware of
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This sounds like more of a habit than anything else.  I do think it would be good to get him re-evaluated and find as many resources as you can to help you work with him on his handwriting and any other issues.  If his medication isn't working his doctor needs to know this as well.  We're not in a position to even attempt to diagnose what may be going on, so I would turn to the experts on this.  I wish you all the very best as my friend's son has ADHD and he has so much trouble with handwriting as well.
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