[username7]

My son is not paying attention at school. His teacher is currently testing him for Gifted status and at the same time insinuating that if he does not meet the Gifted requirements, he has ADD or another learning disability.

I faced much the same situation when I was in school, and for the same reason my son gives me. Boredom. Utter, soul-crushing boredom. I think the educational system failed me and I do not want to see it fail my son. I too, was diagnosed as having ADD at one point, but upon trying ritalin, it acted like speed on me rather than calming me down. As far as I know that does not happen in someone with ADD.

I don't really think ADD is the problem for either myself or my son. Much as I can, my son can happily spend hours and hours without a break on things he enjoys. If he did have ADD, wouldn't he be unable to focus for that long on anything? But if ADD is in fact selective, then what distinguishes it from plain old boredom?

At school, (and now at work) I experience a horrible numb trance-like feeling like my brain is turning to cheese in my head when I am faced with boring tasks. I have a hunch it is the same with my son from what he describes.

I do not want my son labeled with a condition he does not have and treated with solutions that do nothing to address his real situation or shuttled off to special education so the teacher won't have to answer for boring the you-know-what out of him. What should I do?

[Velouria]

Originally Posted by username7

My son is not paying attention at school. His teacher is currently testing him for Gifted status and at the same time insinuating that if he does not meet the Gifted requirements, he has ADD or another learning disability.

I faced much the same situation when I was in school, and for the same reason my son gives me. Boredom. Utter, soul-crushing boredom. I think the educational system failed me and I do not want to see it fail my son. I too, was diagnosed as having ADD at one point, but upon trying ritalin, it acted like speed on me rather than calming me down. As far as I know that does not happen in someone with ADD.

I don't really think ADD is the problem for either myself or my son. Much as I can, my son can happily spend hours and hours without a break on things he enjoys. If he did have ADD, wouldn't he be unable to focus for that long on anything? But if ADD is in fact selective, then what distinguishes it from plain old boredom?

At school, (and now at work) I experience a horrible numb trance-like feeling like my brain is turning to cheese in my head when I am faced with boring tasks. I have a hunch it is the same with my son from what he describes.

I do not want my son labeled with a condition he does not have and treated with solutions that do nothing to address his real situation or shuttled off to special education so the teacher won't have to answer for boring the you-know-what out of him. What should I do?

A misconception about ADD is that those who have it can't focus on anything for too long. On the contrary, there are many times when I can focus on things intensely -- especially things I enjoy -- and tune out the whole world around me (I won't even hear you speaking to me), and that is also a symptom of ADD. Does your son do that?

What I find strange is that on one hand the teacher is having him tested for gifted status while on the other insinuating he might have ADD or some other learning disability. Where does that leave him? And can't he be both gifted and have ADD? This teacher frankly sounds shady. If I were you, I might request to switch your son's class. What grade is your son in?

[Miswimmy1]

Someone can definitely be gifted and have ADHD. I think most teachers in the public school system are quick to find something wrong with kids who don't thrive in the "normal" school setting. If you have the financial means, I would get an official evaluation from a private evaluator (not one from the school). They can run a more extensive battery of tests which include and IQ test as well as various testing for ADHD symptoms and behaviors. This would give you a good idea of where your child's strengths and weaknesses lie and if he is in fact just bored or if there is something else going on. Or a combination of both.

[sideblinded]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

Someone can definitely be gifted and have ADHD. I think most teachers in the public school system are quick to find something wrong with kids who don't thrive in the "normal" school setting. If you have the financial means, I would get an official evaluation from a private evaluator (not one from the school). They can run a more extensive battery of tests which include and IQ test as well as various testing for ADHD symptoms and behaviors. This would give you a good idea of where your child's strengths and weaknesses lie and if he is in fact just bored or if there is something else going on. Or a combination of both.

Definitely agree!

[sideblinded]

Originally Posted by Velouria

A misconception about ADD is that those who have it can't focus on anything for too long. On the contrary, there are many times when I can focus on things intensely -- especially things I enjoy -- and tune out the whole world around me (I won't even hear you speaking to me), and that is also a symptom of ADD. Does your son do that?

What I find strange is that on one hand the teacher is having him tested for gifted status while on the other insinuating he might have ADD or some other learning disability. Where does that leave him? And can't he be both gifted and have ADD? This teacher frankly sounds shady. If I were you, I might request to switch your son's class. What grade is your son in?

Very good point! I can also hyper focus on something for a long period of time if it interests me. I also have ADHD. I am one of the strange ones who grew up into adulthood and the hyperactivity never went away. I also tune everything out. I am still learning about ADD or ADHD and this is right on the money.

MDD
ADHD
GAD

[sideblinded]

BY the way username7 .....

Welcome to Psych Central!!