Dear Dr. Meeker,

We are a home school family. My twelve-year-old boy, number five of seven, is a one-of-a-kind boy. He’s extremely passionate about whatever he is thinking about, impulsive, lacks self-control, and is very athletic and strong.

We don’t do video games. We watch maybe three to five hours of TV/movies a week. He has lots of outdoor time, loves to garden, has his own lawn business, and read Hardy Boys mystery books. But we are about to rope him up and put him in the closet!! He argues, is selfish, talks loudly, and has to control the conversation. But then he will repent and feel bad about his behavior.

Our marriage of nineteen years has been strained. My husband was recently diagnosed with dystimia mood disorder. Though a faithful and loyal husband and father, he is emotionally detached from us. My twelve-year-old LOVES his dad and I believe is dying from an emotional depraved relationship with his dad. God is bigger than this and is going to have to come through on this one. There is nothing I can do to fill this void.

My question for you is this: Where do I begin with testing for ADHD? What…