We see Dr. Liwei Hua at U of M. She’s been very attentive in working with both of my kids. Very friendly and available.

Adam Plotnik, PhD, Farmington Hills.  He specializes in GT and ADHD kids.  We only saw him when we (re)tested my dgtr. in 3rd gr. due to (new) school issues.  Of course she’s still GT, and he said “Oh, by the way, she’s got a bit of ADD (and some test anxiety)”.  We’d been unaware of these, because at her previous school she’d been challenged! (we ended up back there).  He had been well recommended by a parent I knew who has used him on and off for her GT boys.  We liked him, and I imagine we’ll probably need his services again, as we sometimes call our younger child “Popcorn” due to his activity level!  Luckily he is a happy kid (our running joke is “Why would we medicate him at this point?  He’s having a GREAT time!”).

Katherine85 That sounds just like my daughter - her anxiety and lack of focus disappeared once she was placed in a more challenging environment. Is that real ADD or just giftedness?

Well, everyone around her had always attributed the absent-mindedness to her being in her head, thinking about other things, and there is certainly that, but when the guy who specializes in it mentioned ADD, combined with the fact that it was becoming more and more apparent as he got older that her younger brother has ADHD, we sort of said “Oh. Thanks, Grandpa” (my dad, who, with his cousins, fits the profile). So I’m not worried he’s been misdiagnosed, though I’m sure some GT kids are. Of course, he also has mild Asperger’s. I always say, trying to parse out the boy: which is ADHD, which is Asperger’s and which is the giftedness? is impossible. He’s a whole (extroverted, loveable) package. Dgtr.shadows him in many respects (husband’s family is full of people with Asperger’s or those traits - they skip grades and go to Harvard or MIT!), except she’s an introvert like hubby. Sorry to ramble - is this off-topic?  Maybe I’m supposed to reply directly for digressions?  Haven’t been her long enough to know.

There is a great book called: Misdiagnosis and dual diagnoses of gifted children and adults : ADHD, bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, depression, and other disorders   by James T Webb; et al
Publisher: Scottsdale, Ariz. : Great Potential Press, ���2005.
It lists characteristics of each and what might be mistaken for giftedness. 
If your library doesn’t have it, hopefully it can borrow it from another library.  Look in worldcat through your library, or on Amazon.com.

Sometimes it is hard to find a doctor to work with.

Thanks for the input, everyone.  I found one psychiatrist who comes recommended, she is 45 minutes away and we have an appointment in April, sigh…. but better good, far and inexpensive than close and bad!

I’m still looking for others in case anyone takes our insurance.

My DD has had the diagnoses of GT and ADHD, just GT and bored or GT and anxiety masquerading as ADHD.  I think she has all three.  She is smart enough to know that she is not doing what she is capable of doing because of her attention and forgetfulness, this makes her anxious.  I get it, but will someone please try giving her some meds?!

My son is also mildly GT and has been diagnosed ADHD recently. I still question the ADHD diagnoses simply because his preK teachers have seen any problems until he entered Kindergarten in the fall. We have been to 2 psychologists so far. (one in Troy and the other in Rochester Hills) The last one we went to was better than the first, she was the one who did his evaluations and is strongly suggesting that his school provide him with more challenges throughout his day. The principal says they won’t do anything until his behavior improves which really irritated me. Right now I’m working on a request for an IEP since I can’t seem to get anywhere. He is being medicated, but it’s not a magic wand. I strongly believe that if they gave him more challenging work in the classroom that he wouldn’t have as many of the ADHD symptoms that his teacher complains about.

I’m with you Kate, I feel for you!

Well, maybe if you get an IEP they will give him support for his “problem” by giving him more challenging material to work with; maybe they would try it if you suggest it?  Maybe bring in some info about GT vs ADHD and how it is sometimes hard to tease out if it is one, the other, or both.  Maybe you have something at home that demonstrates his abilities that you can show them?  Also, give them the recommendation from psy #2.  Good luck!

I have given the principal and the teacher the full report with “final recommendations” that included providing him with additional/more challenging work and having him moved to 1st grade reading and math classes. (he is about 15 months ahead of the average Kindergartner). So yes, I’m hoping the IEP might officially get him some help. He’s doing multiplication and reading chapter books at home, so we could easily prove that. Just not sure they really “care”. His teacher recommended Developmental K after 2 weeks of class. He had 2 years of Pre-school/K, was very socialized and was reading from the age of 3 so I knew that wasn’t appropriate for him. His teacher after a month of school didn’t even know he could read! Annoying.