Is this ADD or something else?

[mrstsmitty]

BACKGROUND:  @ 3yo started reading newspapers, in preschool was reading to the class, starting in 2nd grade - 4th (present grade), teachers have been trying to diagnose him w/ ADD/ADHD.  Currently goes to a therapist who states is not ADD/ADHD, more of an emotional stress type thing.  Now teacher is saying possibly inepsentia seizure (sic).  Has anyone ever heard of that? TEACHERS STATE problem with attention, child daydreams and has short attention span and will doze in school and during conversation.  Child is currently in 4th, in top math, word study group and also in the Quest Program P/T (gifted program). I believe I also have a short attention span and would rather have a short-to-the-point converstation rather than a long drawn out one.  One teacher brought up medication, but I believe with this situation medication would not work b/c he is not hyperactive and to calm him down would practically stop him.  He needs an attention catcher.  During a Dr's visit he read a chapter from his chapter book w/o any interruptions.  My son often speaks of the teacher "pressuring" him by pointing his faults out to the entire class, etc.  I believe my son also is VERY sensitive to embarrasment etc.  Are there any suggestions, open to comments.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The fact that your son is intelligent is a separate matter from the issue of attentional abilities. Children who display ADHD can, but often do not, display hyperactivity as a component of the ADHD (the accurate diagnosis - ADD is a commonly used term to represnt ADHD without hyperactivity, but from a technical standpoint there really is no formal diagnosis called ADD). Medication can be of benefit with children who display attentional problems even when no hyperactivity is present. Absence seizures are a form of seizure disorder, a different condition than ADHD. Absence seizures are a form of generalized seizures; the condition used to be called petit mal seizures. The episodes can look very much like staring spells or daydreaming. The difference is that, during absence seizures, the child is actually not conscious. Children are conscious when they are simply staring or daydreaming. Discuss the matter with your son's pediatrician, and see if an evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is warranted. To prepare for the talk with the pediarician, ask the teacher to document, in as specific a way he/she can, the behaviors observed in class.

[justme]

Not only absence seizures or ADD as a possibility here.  Also discuss sleep disorders with the pediatrician. The combination of  symptoms you describe (short attention, dozing in class, anxieties) fits very well with pediatric sleep disorders.  My son has this and is completely sleep deprived if he goes without treatment. It makes a huge difference in his ability to cope, although when untreated doctors originally thought he was highly-anxious, atypical ADHD.  Once we id'd the sleep prob and started treatment - within weeks of regular sleep he was a diff kid. You'd think he was loaded with Ritalin.  Anyway, consider the possiblity (especially if he snores, has asthma or allergies, or other sleep events occur); many doctors are underinformed, look on the web for some information (sandman's sleepnet site is very good) so you're prepared with questions when you go.

[mrstsmitty]

Thanks all.

Actually, my son did mention he has a problem with going to sleep.  He would stay up late b/c he states he can't just lay down and go to sleep.  Good idea.  I disagreed with the ADHD b/c these actions are not seen at home nor anywhere else, just in school.  I will check out the website.  His psychiatrist ruled not think it was ADHD b/c with all of the sessions, the actions noted in school were not noticed there.

I also want to compliment this forum board.  This makes me feel ALOT better.

Thanks again.