Hi KristenBell,
You raise a rather complex question?
I appreciate that it was just an informal test, that would just indicate a possibility?
Though part of the problem, is your position of authority, as Special Educ Teacher.
If it was just a friend of hers, or someone with no authority that directed her to the test?
Then it would more clearly be seen as 'just some test on the internet?'
But when the Special Ed Teacher recommends the test.
Then it could be seen as a preliminary evaluation, indicating a need for further assessment?
So how does the Mother respond to hearing this from her daughter?
Does this mean that she should now take her in for a formal evaluation?
You also mentioned that 'if she did have it, then she is managing well.'
Where their is a bit of stigma associated with ADHD & ADD.
As once it has been confirmed by an evaluation.
Then, whenever one has to fill in a form, for a Govt Dept, or a job application, or medical insurance or superannuation?
When it comes the tick box: 'Do you have a Disability?' 'If so, give details:...'
Where my basic point, is that their are many implications?
But on the other hand, if one does in fact have ADD or any other LD?
Then it is most often a great relief to have an explanation!
Yet it is not uncommon for Parents to refuse having their Child evaluated for an LD ?
As they do not want to be 'one of those Parents', that 'have a Child with a Disability'!
Where it is generally a rather traumatic experience, when one gets an official diagnosis?
But equally, a great relief!
So, as to your question about whether you did anything wrong?
You could equally be asking the opposite question?
Where you could have been writing, that when she asked you if she could take the test?
That you said No.
Were you then wrong, to refuse her?
Where I could equally argue that you should have allowed her to take the test!
So whatever you did, you would be both right and wrong at the same time?
But, I'm inclined to support the position of the Girl.
Afterall, it's 'her life'.
Yet, I might mention that I also run a Forum the maths disorder Dyscalculia.
Where I often get 13 and 14 year olds, who suspect that they may have Dyscalculia, and want to get tested for it?
But their Parents refuse to allow them to be tested!
So as I said at the beginning, it is a complex question, where the answer is?
Is?
When people do a formal assessment for an LD, and then get an official confirmation.
Often the experience is paralleled with the grief associated with a 'death in the family'?
Who was this person, that for all of my life, I understood as 'me'?
Where it now turns out, that I never really understood 'me'?
So I wasn't 'stupid or lazy', I just have a learning difficulty/ difference!
So if I'm not this 'stupid, lazy' person, that other people had made me believe to be the person, that I think of me?
My identity!
Then, who am I?
Does this mean, that I now have to, 'tick the box'; Disabled, when completing a form?
But then, not many years ago?
Being 'left handed' was classed as a Disability.
Yet now it is accepted as just Different, but Normal.
