In the best case it simply means he gets a special plan which requires teachers to make accommodations such as longer times for assignments, extra note taking help, and so on. Worst case some MD follows up on a diagnosis done by non-medically trained people and prescribes medications. There are a number of online diagnostic surveys the kid can take self reporting, or others who know him can fill out (like teachers). These can guide you in deciding whether to involve an MD.
Labeling a kid in school with a psychiatric diagnosis is not a good thing unless it's done by a concurrence of several MEDICAL professionals who come to a similar diagnosis. Once diagnosed, if the school wants to make a special plan for the kid they can get extra funding to cover the expense of running that plan.
Source: great niece is a special ed teacher in the US and a friend who is an MD talks about common misdiagnosis of this in kids.
Worst case some MD follows up on a diagnosis done by non-medically trained people and prescribes medications
The trap is exactly as described. I got on the kiddy meth after sessions with a psychologist who referred to an associated MD for a script. The reason I got referred to a psychologist was that the counselor, principal and teacher were playing hot potato because that I often got up and walked around class after I finished work while White. Which was determined to be disruptive. Looking back, I was just diagnosed with being a normal boy with not enough recess.
It's important to have a good MD doing the diagnosis. There aren't many who are good with behavior in kids.
The disease is school. Sitting down and obeying a teacher for hours a day is not healthy for young boys.
Correct. A good MD should be able to recognize this and tell them to leave him alone if that's all that's going on.
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