robertaHMMMMM... that is an interesting thought. My children are salt wasting classical CAH kids and I know that I would not want to switch. As you know cortef is the preferred drug for salt=waster CAH kid because they are more severe than the non-classical but some non-classical children range from very mild (and no medication) to very severe (as severe as the salt-wasting classical kind). The growth issue is important. If CAH is not managed right then they do grow tall or as you say "look older" but are short as adults. Then there is the issue of hormones and infertility. Dex is used for Addison’s but they are adults. Cortef is suppose be shorter lasting in the body and not cause stunted growth. Giving the cortef in small amount three times a day is suppose to mimic the natural production of cortef. Some doctors think that you can’t mimic the production. So this is very controversial. Mimic or not... I do know that it is short lasting. But I know if the dex (long lasting) is the answer. My thought - stay with cortef until she is an adult. If it did affect her growth and fertitily - you would not want to be the BLAME. It is not something you can go back and fix.
Also make sure you have check up with a good ped endo that will take the right blood tests (need to check the testosterone, androstenedione, 17-OH Progesterone) - EVERY THREE MONTHS and more often as the medications are increased with her growth. She is growing very fast at this age and hormones are changing. Don’t just go every 6 months - that is crazy. Don’t let a doctor tell you otherwise. It is your child - you are in control.
If the testosterone is too high - the there is facial hair and once it is there - it is very hard to remove because the fallicals are in place. Again she is depending on you. You should want her to be a happy child with a good self image. Facial hair won’t help and self conscience pre-teen girl or elementary age girl. Infertility is also something I would not wish on some girl either (and there is no magic wand for it either).