not happy with the outcomes from medical study

[sarah142]

is it ok to ask for a second opinion. my son is being studied for adhd. teacher has done 3 connors reports but i feel she doesnt know what she is lookin for . he now goes to a new school and we have been since informed that the adhd and blue bay syndrome are linked but some doctors dont like to admit it. please help. from a very tired and frustrated mother

[allmymarbles]

Government intervention leads to abuse of its dicta.

[Sandman2]

  Laws were signed by George W in 2002 and 2004.

[allmymarbles]

I am getting really tired of the federal government. It should spend its time cleaning up Congress.

[Sandman2]

I certainly agree with you about the unconcerned parent.  What you are forgetting or may not know is that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 - both federal laws, the school MUST get involved if the parent requests an evaluation.  And in fact can be sued if they do not get involved and start the IEP process.  In other words, under federal law, a school must get involved if the parent requests it.
  

[allmymarbles]

When a child is difficult at school the parent is always told about it. That is what parent-teacher conferences are all about. For the teacher and the school to become involved in the diagnostic process is not appropriate. A concerned parent will look for a solution to the problem. An unconcerned parent will either do nothing, or let himself take the easiest way out - pills.

[Sandman2]

  I disagree with you entirely (well almost entirely - see my last sentence).  For a child to be diagnosed by the DSM-IV (1994) Criteria, they must have ADHD problems in two or more places.  If the only person they asked was the parent, both you and I know that a lot more kids would be diagnosed as having ADHD due to poor parenting skills.
   The problem is what other choice is there.  If the search is not "institutionalized" - in other words, there is not scientific evidence required - then every quack in the world is going to start preying off of parents with "miracle" cures.
   The psychologist tries (hopefully) to gain enough information to make his decision.  But, I do agree that because he is not a medical doctor, he/she may not be able to see all of the possible causes.  That is one reason I tend to favor psychiatrists.  But essentially, I think a lot comes down to experience.
  By the way, I do kind of partially agree with you that schools should not be used for this purpose.  I have filled out many evaluations, and have never liked it.  But as I said, what other choice is there?

[allmymarbles]

The school should not be used for this purpose. It is because of institutionalizing the search for emotional problems that many children are diagnosed as having them, based on very chancy material. The psychologist who "scores" the form does not have sufficient information  to make any sort of recommendation. In any case, his bias is psychology, which by default rules out other causes.

[Sandman2]

The teacher does conners reports because the school psyc (or possibly a private psyc) gave them to the teacher.  They usually are a multiple choice or ranked scale format.  The teacher gives her opinion of the questions.  The psyc scores them.  The test is set up so that some one can't really use it to get a particular outcome.
  I don't quite understand your question Sarah.  Did he get diagnosed with ADHD and is special ed.  and you want out?  Or was he not diagnosed?  By the way, did you also take the Conners test?

[allmymarbles]

I would help if you gave your son's age and his symptoms. As for the teacher - she should stick to teaching.