Hello! I’m a high school senior getting ready for college applications. I’ve always had trouble focusing, but it really started to affect my grades in 10th and 11th grade. I took a small screening and got a prescription for ADD meds toward the end of 11th grade, which helped tremendously. However, I don’t think I was actually diagnosed ADD. Should I take a test? If I do get diagnosed, should I include it on my applications? If I am not diagnosed, do you think my doctor will take away my meds (which have really helped me)?
If you have prescription meds, you should be diagnosed so you probably are. Just ask your doctor if you are. Its not the end of the world if you aren’t though. By finding out what isn’t the problem, you are one step closer to finding out what is and then finding a solution. Never fear telling a doctor something because they are there to help you!
You think just because you have trouble focusing, you have ADD? LMAO
It runs in my family
Why not just stay with the doctor who felt free to prescribe ADD meds with a “small screening”?
Medicine is a LOT of “try this, and see if it works”. If it works for you, and you have a family history, why upset the apple cart?
Remember that the doctor has to have a reason WHY you are getting ADD meds. I would ask to see a copy of your office visit record, and it will indicate if you have an ADD diagnosis. If so, don’t bother with anything else.
Never mention a disability on a college application unless there is a clear reason to. My son had some grades slip due to a medical condition, so he and his GC mentioned his medical problems which spanned a year. If his grades weren’t an issue, it would not have been mentioned.
There is no special test for ADHD. It is often diagnosed through history and patient or parent report. It is very likely that you have been diagnosed, even provisionally, if you were prescribed medication. You can ask your doctor. It is great for you that the medication is helpful. If you end up needing other accommodations you might need medical verification of the disorder which your doctor can provide in a letter.
To get formal accommodations (extra time, calculator, etc) you will need to do some neuropsych testing. This can be quite time consuming and expensive. Some of the tests include IQ testing, executive function, comprehension, processing ability, etc.
A good neuropsychologist can do these tests. A doctor can prescribe ADD meds without doing the testing. However doing the full testing may make sense if you want to see exactly what your weaknesses are.
Yes, there is testing, one of my kids had had some testing administered.
Yea - you might qualify for LD from your school and then be able to receive extended time for testing
I suggest consulting your doctor.