Seeking advice | ADHD Information
Thanks so much for the advice.We tried playschool but he hated it and so we quit. I didn't know anything about this then, and maybe it could have worked had I known. We currently have him in a Music for Young Children class for an hour once a week, it is going ok, but definately long enough! For now I'll keep researching and wait and see. We just don't want him to have the same experience in school as his father had.
Thanks again!
My DS was diagnosed at 5, by which time we had already been asked to remove him from a montessori school (3) and had behavioral issues in PK (4) and K (5) that sent him to the principal's office on a far-too-regular basis.
I would involve him in more structured activities for the summer (I love the idea of story time at the library :) ) that you can observe him and his interaction with teachers and other children without your intervention. At 5, most of a diagnosis is based on testing and parent/teacher input, so remember that you know your child best! It's also a good idea to start feeling around for pdoc recommendations so that if you do get into kinder and see problems you don't get in a crunch trying to find a pdoc who will see a 5 year old (no one in our area wanted to see kids before they were in 1st).
Best of luck!
graciepoints38796.3202777778 [QUOTE=PuckBunny] It's hard clawing your way back out of the social stigma pit when you've been firmly placed at the bottom by your peers because of some "odd" behaviours typical of ADHD.[/quote]There's still hope at his age. Will he be going to a larger high school in the future? All it takes is a new kid at school with no previous history to befriend your son and break the pattern.
[QUOTE=PuckBunny]Coincidentally, my DH has never been dx'd with ADD himself, but since going through this process with my son and all the research I've done, I don't need a doctor to tell me the obvious! Peas in a pod!
PB
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Apple from the tree. One more for the genetic link theory.
[QUOTE=hawks2921]... make sure his body is as healthy as possible and to see if he possibly is experiencing any deficiencies and/or allergies.[/QUOTE]
I think this is really imperative. My son wasn't formally diagnosed with ADD until age 12, and a lot of what was going on was complicated by allergies. If we had been able to successfully clear that up years ago, our strategies would have been that much clearer and easier to deal with. It's all so interconnected.
Also, I can say from experience that things would probably be quite different for my son socially now if we'd gotten a handle on all of these things sooner. It's hard clawing your way back out of the social stigma pit when you've been firmly placed at the bottom by your peers because of some "odd" behaviours typical of ADHD. The awareness of social cues that children naturally learn over their school years are a HUGE part of maturity and acceptance. What I'd do to be able to go back and rip those blinders off my son's head for all those years... He's only started to "get it" (to a point) now that he's on meds, but kids form their heirarchal structure early and that's the way it can stay indefinitely, it seems.
Coincidentally, my DH has never been dx'd with ADD himself, but since going through this process with my son and all the research I've done, I don't need a doctor to tell me the obvious! Peas in a pod!
PB
Your son sounds exactly like my son Jasper who is 5 and in Sr.Kindergarden. Its been so dificult lately dealing with him. My son likes school but is having problems with the ADHD. We are thinking of putting him on medication had I hope when he goes to school all day next year for grade 1 that things will go alittle better for him.Overall school has bee been a positive place for him
Jasper's mom38796.8275
IMac38945.8724421296I would read up on ADHD and start using some of the discipline techniques that are helpful to ADHD children. I may also consider researching supplements to make sure his body is as healthy as possible and to see if he possibly is experiencing any deficiencies and/or allergies.
As far as school goes, I would definitely take a wait and see approach. You don't want a teacher coming into school with any pre-conceived ideas about your son. However, when and if you are approached about the behaviors, you may explain your concerns. If the problems become severe (usually in a full day setting) then you should go about getting testing and diagnosis and putting a plan in place in school for the teachers to follow.
I think the best thing you can do is be educated and prepared for the school when & if they approach you. Who knows, maybe your son will do well in a structured setting and you may not need to worry. If not tho, you will have done your research and not be blindsided by emotion when you start to experience the "joys" of dealing with school & adhd!
Hi, my son Curtis is 5yrs old and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. Our family has all wondered about Curtis for some time now. I have just begun researching ADHD and strongly suspect that he has it. We also suspect his father is ADD as well but has never been diagnosed. We have not yet seen a professional as he has not been in a school setting yet. I feel like Curtis' case is mild and am afraid that we will not be taken seriously. He is very active, smart, loud, impulsive, plays rough, in-your-face, talks non-stop, very mechanical, sensitive, bored easily, needs constant attention, and has a very short attention span to name a few. I am wondering what is the first step I need to take. Do I put him in kindergarten and see what happens or get him tested now?
Our son was tested at 3 -- we have a VERY strong family history of ADHD and it was very clear our son was different from his peers. My personal two cents is that the earlier the intervention, the better! There are many things you can do that don't necessarily involve medication (check out the Alternatives to Meds section of this board) or meds could also be beneficial as well (if it is indeed ADHD). Our experience was somewhat similar to yours in that my husband was dx'd and our son about the same time...... Good luck and welcome to the board.
I don't know about where you live - but here can take up to 6 months for an appointment with a behavioral specialist.
I got lucky and got a cancelled appointment 2 months after I called!
My son is 5 an recently dx'd with adhd. He will be going into K this fall as well. I'm going thru the whole "correct dosage" thing right now. I'm glad that we are doing this before school - it's not an easy thing to figure out!
By the way, his teachers (pre-school) said they had no idea what was going on with him and never seen anything like it before.... huh???????
Good Luck!!!!
Hello Curtis' Mom:
It sounds like your intuition is speaking clearly to you. My son is 8 (9 in May). He has been diagnosed w/ ADHD/ODD...but we are still working our way through an "accurate" diagnoses.
What I would like to share with you is to continue to trust your instincts. When my son was 3, 4, and 5...I would read the ADHD fliers in the office and say..."uhm..my son acts like this".. I would be dismissed EVERY time. I was told- "He's too young"; "the teachers will tell you"...My son was in a private school for the longest. So the classes were much more smaller and the teachers were very supportive & loved my son. So when public school became part of our life (1st grade)...all heck broke lose..and looking back, I wish I had a stronger voice with the doctors. ...to be honest, I was hearing what I wanted to hear from them, I mean the were doctors after all! 
Keep reading this board...I visit from time to time...especially when I need to be reminded- I'm not the only mother blessed with this very unique journey.
Also, you mentioned your family wondering about your child. ...I would like to add, do not apologize for your child to your family or the school. Your child's behaviour does not reflect who you are as a person or a parent. I promise you- all will not agree with the decisions that are ahead of you...and I promise you..you will reach a point where you don't care. Your motivation will be the progress you witness in your child.
Good luck & keep trusting your insticts.
Have you considered trying a pre-K school this summer? Some places are set up very much like Kindergarten but they have much lower expectations, and teaching self-control is part of the program. Most will let him visit for a few hours to see if he likes it. I would try martial arts--it teaches discipline and self-control, and provides a structured environment. I would also recommend ogram's Marble System for discipline. And personally, I would also check out the alternatives board and try the things that are completely safe--perhaps you could get some improvement in some areas.
[QUOTE=IMac]Will he be going to a larger high school in the future? All it takes is a new kid at school with no previous history to befriend your son and break the pattern.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, that makes me feel better. 
I know that will happen, but he's got one more year of middle school with all the same old (nasty) kids. I'm looking into a Montessori school for 1 year (it only goes up to grade 8 here), then back to the big High School for gr 9. The change will be expensive and the driving a hassle, but I really feel he needs a change.
PB
Try him in a few more structured settings this summer...like short classes...taekwondo?, art, or gymnastics,make sure they are classes that you can watch and see how he does away from you, with other childeren, and a different adult...I knew my son had ADHD when I took him to story hour at the library... a kid with ADHD and story hour at the library ( shhhhushhhh) do not mix
joemom - you made me smile remembering bringing my son to story time. All the other moms were sitting with their kids so nicely and mine was running all over the room. Brings back those horrible "what am I doing wrong" feelings!!!