Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 10/2/2011

Question
my 9 year old clearly has issues with inattention based on what we observe a parents and what we have been told by her math tutors and her teachers.  We have had the connors assessment done for her by the teachers and tutors and she comes up very high for these issues. We have had a consult with her pediatrician to see what she thinks about the choices of meds, side effects, positive effects and she does not prescribe without a full $1300 work up from a psychologist. We as parents are really not wanting to use meds for a variety of reasons.  Can a parent assume you can continue to work with the child and make gains and keep their self esteem up without meds? There really is not a hyper component, it is mostly the inattention. Our tutor who works with these kids says it is difficult for them to gain mastery without meds because unlike learning disabilities where you can teach a different way of learning, the inattentive child is having an on and off of the brain, so to speak, during the inattentive periods. I also feel my child has some high anxiety personality tendencies, and maybe the two issues go hand in hand??  Overall she can get mostly B grades in school, with the exception of math, but it takes alot of work and it becomes stressful for everyone.  Any thoughts or suggestions?  thanks

Answer
As you have asked my opinion I may then assume permssion to call a spade a spade. A Conners is intended for parents as well. A Conners does not come up high! It rates behavior, learning and stress and the scores tell for each if  medication, remediation and councilling is needed.  A psychologist  is never needed as they they have no training in medication of pharmachology. Moreover an article in  the American Psychological Association's research journal (PsycScan) suggests the psychologist is the only one who benefits, not the child.
 If medication is needed, it is safe with no long term serious side effedcts as long as the doctor is an expert, and is very effective at optimal doses. It makes ADD  and ADHD  more teachable. Why struggle to achieve success for the child when medication can do it for you? There is enough for parents to do with regard to encouragement, motivation, assistence with school work and supervision of medication.
   The doctor's expertise, not the parents make that decision about medication. The anxiety, often part of the condition, is usually made worse  by neglect of ADD. The parents may accept the doctor's wisdom or disregard it at the expense of the child.  
     Your tutor is only half right. ADD is a form of learning disability but medication makes it easier for all. ADHD is a behavior problem. I hope I have given you food for thought?