Whelp. My brother is looking into getting my youngest niece tested for...something. She can't read or write. I think she's... What? 7 now? Something like that. She has the attention span of a gnat.

We've always known there's something wrong but my bother and her mother have resisted it. Until now.

And now he has a doc to verify that there IS something going on.

I just hope he can get her the hell she really needs.

oof....I hope she gets the help she needs

Oh man... yeah. I hope she gets the help she needs

yeah, seconding (thirding?) that I hope she gets the help she needs

They're thinking adhd. Dyslexia at the very least. But leaning very heavily toward that.

I don't know kuxb about adhd... I'm gonna have to look this up.

Also uh if she's not reading/writing, maybe she needs glasses, too

ADHD isn't necessarily a cause for not being able to read, but there can be related cognitive issues that can cause problems

I've got ADHD so uh, I can answer like... some questions.

Also if she's got like sleep apnea, that can have an impact

It's also a lot about an inability to focus and she's all over the place. They're leaning toward ADHD but it could be anything at this point, and seemingly her doc thinks there's something so I have no idea!

it might also not just be one thing. ADHD has a tendency to be co-morbid with other things.

Oh yeah, I've got both ADHD and hypo, so

ADHD symptoms can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, hormones issues, or things like sleep apnea, so... probably should get blood tests as well to be sure there's not a non-brain reason causing it

ADHD meds are no joke, so

(They're great for us with ADHD but don't help others.)

yeah, my doctor doesn't want to put me on them since my case is so mild.

Whereas mine was severe enough that my mom, teacher, and school counselor both were like "UH" in second grade. As a girl. In the 1990s, when girls rarely got diagnosed.

XD

I think she'll probably go through the battery of tests, but seeing as she's been like this her whole life... Fingers crossed we find out what it is for sure. But if it IS ADHD... Do I have permission to come harass you two with questions and learnings?

sure! I have a lot of experience working with kids with learning difficulties and ADHD, among other things!

I might grill you about another thing at some point too! My sister works in a home with young adults with autism and things like that and apparently they're 'crying out' for night staff and I was considering applying. But have never worked with anything but old people!

yeah, any questions, I can tell you my experience!

Thanks much!