Neuropsych eval for ADHD that stole

amother

OP ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 2:55 pm

My son stole something obvious from someone in his class and denied taking it even though he clearly used it in front of classmates and it was clearly labeled with the other boys name. The students told the teacher who told the principal who told me. I was mortified. It's bad enough that he stole but is he really so disconnected from reality that he stole so blatantly and then still denies it outright. Right now he has dx of ADHD and NODD and anxiety.
His teacher feels he needs a full neuropsych eval to get to the bottom of why he constantly lies (to cover up his deficits) and even steals. Does anyone else have any experience with this stealing situation and does anyone have a child that really thinks that no one else chops?
What type of eval shud I even get? Psychologist or psychiatrist? I'm so overwhelmed and sad

amother

Green

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 3:07 pm

I personally don’t think a neuropsych eval will help you at all but make the teacher feel like you’re working with her.

For a neuropsych eval you go to a neuropsychologist.
We used an amazing one on our insurance in Brooklyn if you’re interested.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 3:36 pm

amother Broom wrote:

He doesn’t need another eval. He does need coaching and therapy for his current diagnosis. What type of help is he getting now?

Principal thinks that the facts that he stole so blatantly in front of others and he really believes that no one else saw means that he is delusional or maybe ASD. Does that make sense?
Right now he is not seeing a therapist. He takes vyvanse and abilify (for being violent with his siblings)
Can there be a diagnosis that we are missing here?
He is very socially awkward and always had a hard time fitting in.

amother

↑ Springgreen

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 3:39 pm

amother OP wrote:

Is it possible he is just really anxious about being caught and telling everyone he thinks no one saw, but really he does know? Or do you think he really believes no one saw. Asd and ADHD have a lot of overlaps. If he has a dx did he already have a neuropsych eval?
I do think he needs a therapist.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 4:30 pm

amother Springgreen wrote:

We went to a psychiatrist who put her on vyvanse for ADHD, then put on abilify for being violent at home. And said she has NODD.
School was never an issue till now.
We did the Vanderbilt to get the ADHD diagnosis initially and she scored 5 all the way thru. Her ADHD diagnosis is def valid
I wanted to maybe start her on SSRI first to see if it helps anxiety so she won't feel so bad about herself and therefore won't need to lie/steal but principal was strongly requesting an neuropsych to see if there are any more diagnosis that we are missing. Does a neuropsych really give detailed answers?

Eta for all those Lyme and PANs ppl- it's not brain inflammation. I don't believe in that garbage pls don't suggest it

amother

↑ Broom ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 4:33 pm

amother OP wrote:

I don’t think it matters if there is more at play. He must have a therapist targeting issues as they come up. To work on things in school and at home. Any kid on meds should also be seeing a therapist. They work hand in hand.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 4:37 pm

amother Broom wrote:

So she was seeing a therapist in a clinic but it wasn't a good whidduch. They did suggest either to go other clinic or maybe they would get an org to pay for half (forgot the name).

My q is does a neuropsych help to guide what modality of therapy would work best? And does it tell if she really also has another diagnosis that might require a diff med

amother

Strawberry ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 4:42 pm

You have your diagnosis. A neuropsych is useful when you're looking for a diagnosis. I don't think the issues are being understood or addressed properly. If you go via therapy and the interventions for ADHD etc..., you follow protocol, and then you STILL are struggling after seeing qualified therapists for a decent amount of time, you might question your diagnosis or consider that there is more to look for- but you're not there yet. You haven't fully addressed the ADHD. You need a good psych PLUS therapist (meds alone won't help you with all the things ADHD comes with) and then after you follow recommendations you can determine your next step.

Also to comment on some of your other posts:
Social cues are missed when we are inattentive. Medication won't fix that, the skills need to be taught by someone qualified. When someone has an attention deficit you have to consider:
1. The skills that won't be "picked up" naturally that will need to be taught
2. The rules and social nuances that he won't necessarily care about that need to be taught
3. The language and expressive issues that he may not be good at.
4. The anxiety that usually accompanies it that needs to be addressed (no, not meds, therapy)

It's a package. The meds is literally just part of it. If therapy hasn't been done, I definitely would focus on good therapy now, not a neuropsych.

Hatzlacha.

amother

↑ Broom ↓

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 4:45 pm

amother OP wrote:

It’s helpful if you don’t know what’s wrong. But I think it’s going to be majorly redundant, time consuming, and expensive. Just because school said you need one doesn’t mean you do. I’d focus on getting a qualified therapist who can focus on his struggles and guide you.

amother

↑ OP

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 4:54 pm

amother Broom wrote:

Any ideas where to find therapists that aren't $$$$?

amother

↑ Strawberry

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 7:52 pm

I also want to add that when you look for a therapist there are lots of angles you can lean to:
Some kids tend to do impulsive things because they lack some language skills that help them problem solve and anticipate outcomes of their actions. Sometimes it's just impulse but sometimes it's also language-weakness based. So when you look for a therapist you want someone who is trained specifically with the ADHD component who can help with determining the course therapy should take.
Also, it's a long-haul type of therapy, so I know you don't want to pay a ton, but sometimes it might be worth it to pay for now and get things under control and then maybe when you have more clarity you'll have a better unerstanding on the type of therapist you need and also may be able to cut costs- but for now I think you need to go to an organization for money if necessary but to do it right.

amother

Sienna

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 8:19 pm

amother Broom wrote:

Yes it definitely does matter if there is an ASD diagnosis, because their minds work differently and need to be handled differently.
This does sound like it could be related to ASD. Did he ever have a FULL neurosyche eval? Who diagnosed the ADHD? If he did have one, chances are the diagnosis is accurate and he needs a good therapist.
If he didn't have one yet, they can be extremely helpful not only in diagnosing but also in seeing where your child's strengths and weaknesses are.
Signed: a parent of child with asd who used to steal