<p>HImom:
I have, no idea . . . I was just sharing what I know on scheduling if OP decided that kind of evaluation was appropriate.</p>
<p>I am not assuming that D of OP has any diagnosable condition.</p>
<p>I am not advocating testing and/or medicating for depression, ADD or anything else.</p>
<p>However, one does not need to medicate if one tests. A test or screen can tell a person if they have a “clinical” issue - it can lead to possible accommodations with the school if OP and D chose to go that route. It can eliminate possibilities and help a person to narrow in on their issue. It can lead to coping strategies that are more accurately tailored to a person’s challenges.</p>
<p>I am attempting to share some information that I have heard that could be helpful - that’s all.</p>
<p>Thanks. I appreciate that. Our D does get some accommodations for her chronic health issues that she has had over the past 12 years. Not sure she’d get any additional ones if she were tested and found to have an additional diagnosable condition. I am concerned that she would likely fight hard against testing and the time & energy for us might be better used with coping strategies. She’s pretty self-aware most of the time. I think she would readily admit to procastination and needing more/better organizational skills and time management.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for these suggestions and insights. D comes home on Wednesday–can call around tomorrow to see if any of the psychologists we know are interested and able to fit her in and possibly test her.</p>
<p>HImom - There are LOTS of books out there on ADHD, EF disorder etc. If your D is willing to read through them for hints (which like you say could help anybody challenged by disorganization) … that might be userful. </p>
<p>That particular book would work best for a student in the midst of normal school/work challenges. You may want to go to your library and borrow a sampling of others, just to get a feel if any could be beneficial. Good luck!</p>
<p>wow Olymom. Fabulous post. Love the “look on the bright side” approach even with the car in the ditch!</p>
<p>I want to second getting a sleep test. Excessive daytime sleepiness can also indicate narcolepsy. This requires a daytime stay in the sleep center.</p>
<p>We now have two members of our family who learned they had sleep disorders by undergoing sleep testing – one has sleep apnea and the other narcolepsy! So, I"m on the stump for getting this kind of test done!!</p>
<p>We started with our regular GP doctor and he did a referral. Please know that the first appointment was nearly a bust as our highly articulate, pleasant son didn’t “present” as having “issues.” But the failing spring term WAS an issue. We pressed forward with testing and, goodness me, the kid has some marked deficits. A student who can be charming in person can often hide (even unintentially) a deficit. </p>
<p>Tell the reluctant D that evaluations are twofold: 1) to find out if there is anything organically wrong (she wouldn’t want to compete in the Olympics with a broken foot – and she doesn’t want to undertake classes if she has something biologically unsound happening) and 2) to learn about her particular attributes so her future choices can be undertaken with self knowledge. </p>
<p>A guy who is 5 feet tall can still play basketball and love the game-- but we don’t set him up with the expectation that he will be starting forward for the Chicago Bulls. He might be a great engineer, poet or hedge fund manager – or pro boxer – but he’s going to have heartbreak if he decides he has to pursue professional basketball as a player. We have to learn about how our brain and body works so we can make choices shrewdly. If the scrappy little guy still wants to show he can play with the seven footers, more power to him – but at least he knows he’s choosing an uphill path and he doesn’t beat himself up because he thinks he’s a failure.</p>
<p>D is working with an industrial psychologist at her campus, who is helping her figure out how to make things work better. She has found an apartment mate who will getting a masters in engineering next year. They believe they will each have their own bedroom in a two-bedroom place in the fall, very close to campus. Details will hopefully be finalized today!</p>