Conners parent rating scale

My husband took his son (my 6 year old step son) to the pediatrician saturday  regarding a potty problem (he was holding his functions and instructing other children in the family that it was ok to not use the bathroom) and regarding  his hyper activity. My step son, is very hyper active, makes incessant noises, seems to always be on the go, doesn’t pay attention, for example he doesn’t think when asked a question, he will reply: "I don’t know and if we ask him to think about the question first and try another answer besides "I don’t know he gets very up set, sometimes to the point of yelling at his father and I " I told you I don’t know"  He is also very touchy, gets upset if people move his thing/ toys..ect. Up in till the beginning of the year (07) he would throw temper tantrums, they have decreased over the year. We have been discussing the possibility of ADHD for about 2 years and finally made the decision to ask the doctor, the doctor gave us the conners parent rating scale but upon looking it over, I noticed that their are several questions that do not apply to my step son, for example: he does not have a hard time making friends, he is a good student- 1st grade, math, spelling he gets good grades, I guess im just wondering if he really could be ADHD if he gets good grades. And I would like to know more (if anyone knows) about how the doctors make a diagnosis based upon the 0-3 scale of rating the behaviors. Any help would be super-
Thanks

[RockRose]

samgirl - doctors make a diagnosis of ADHD based on several factors.

1.  What the doctor's observe of the child's behavior in the doctor's office.  2.  What the parents observe and communicate to the doctor.  3.  What the classroom teacher(s) observe and report.  

Getting "good grades" wouldn't be as important as the teacher's assessment of his behavior in the classroom.  If he is fairly organized,  works without undue distractions,  gets along well with peers,  etc., it's unlikely the boy has ADHD.

What does his teacher say about his behavior?

[samgirl]

- she says that his hyperactivity is a class distraction at times and at times when I have come to pick him up from school she looks like she is at her wits end with him she says he makes innapropriate noises (sometimes) and that she has to tell him to be quiet alot - but she  insists that becuase he has good grades that he dosent have ADHD-

[momagain59]

My oldest son was fairly organized and he got along with everyone. The other kids loved him because he was funny and would do the things that they only wanted to do. He did have major trouble focusing during school, was very impulsive, made inappropriate noises, and had trouble staying seated. He started ADHD meds his K year. His 1st grade Teacher was Great but she questioned me several times about whether he was really ADHD or not. He took meds at noon, at one day she forgot to send him and she turned around and he was standing on his desk. She apoligized and never questioned his ADHD again. His meds made it possible for him to be successful in school and I do not regret putting him on meds. He in now in the Airforce and he is doing great.

[samgirl]

I got a laugh out of your story- :) thanks for the help! glad your son has come so far!

[mbtrails]

The Conner's is simply a rating scale that assesses several behavioral composites.  Not all are likely to apply to any one child.  Scores are computed for different behavioral tendencies or categories and attention/ ADHD is one of those categories.  That's why you may see unrelated items on the questionairre.  A child may be very bright and still not be performing to his/ her fullest potential due to attention problems.  Grades are only one indication of a possible problem.  Classroom and general social behavior are big factors.  Similarly, the Conner's would not be used as the only means of diagnosing ADD/ ADHD.  It would be one step in the process and is very good at signaling a reason to look further.  Lastly, medication is one option.  If your son's in first grade, you may want to discuss behavioral interventions for now.  Educate yourself on the (often very positive) effects of medications and the side effects, while you come to trust the professional you decide to work with and then make that decision when the time is right.  If it is truly ADD/ ADHD, very often it's around 3rd grade or so when you start to see the academics slip if behaviors are not under control.