Erik Said:

Do i have a mental disorder?

We Answered:

I do that too, if i touch one arm i have to touch the other. its not all the time but i do notice myself doing that. I always thought it was just me. Its like if i touch one arm the other one like itches or i just feel so bothered and frustrated if i dont touch the other arm the same way. You could have OCD, I'm sure there's a spectrum for all these things. and im seriously just guessing here, dont take it too seriously but the crossing the street could be post-traumatic stress about the situation. which i think is a very normal reaction to something like that. I almost got abducted and shoved into a car once and for awhile if a car drove up behind me my heart would start pounding. you should tell a doctor these symptoms though, there are ways to help alleviate the stress or frustration that these things might give you. It might not be mental disorders at all, but I really think talking to a professional about it is the best way to go, it can really help you feel better and less alone. and if you dont think one doctor is right just go to a different one for a second opinion.

Thomas Said:

I think my daughter has ADD not ADHD?

We Answered:

The fact that she does great on tests tells me it may just be a phase. I am not a DR. but I am an adult who grew up with ADD and one common aspect is her schoolwork would probably suffer. The comprehension may just come in time or she may have to find another way to relate the information.
I think by seven if the school thought she had ADD she may have been referred to a learning Specialist for evaluation.
It is your right as a parent to request she be evaluated, maybe she does have a mild form of ADD but my gut says she is just a normal seven year old. I would watch her behavior and continue to look for signs.

Javier Said:

Is it possible to learn how to read really early (really quickly), but not be smart?

We Answered:

Just because you have depression/bipolar and you have a hard time catching up in class doesn't mean that you are not smart. Usually depression/bpolar gets in the way with your studies and your sttention in class. So try find solutions to your problems. Take notes of the plot summary/ composition while you read or just underline it when you see somthing that could be the plot then read back to your notes and decide which one is the actuall plot.

As you progress in grade level things will get harder so you need to try to catch up by doing some study/homework skills so that thing will be a little easier. (Example: Making a visual graphing chart to organize the Characters, Plot, Summary, Author, and any necessary information on the story that you think you may need when you are being asked questions based on those things)

For Math you need to take notes and if you don't understand, ask your teacher. It may seem embarassing but it's better than failing class. If it is necessary, ask your teacher if he/she can offer tutoring and if not try to find a person who knows Math really well and ask him/her to tutor you.

For the reading slow problem I know a lot of people who read slower than average. Start off reading things at your own pace and uderstand what you are reading, Later on during your free time start reading books (choose whatever book you want) and start to increase you reading speed little by little but make sure you understand what your reading.

There is nothing wrong of being the last one finishing a test. But you need to make sure that you what to answer. Study well and try to remember everything you can. If it is really hard for you to remember thing you studied the day before try studying pieces at a time within 4 or 5 days before the test if (you can extend your days of studying longer if needed)