Medicating a 4 yr old is a tough call for a parent.
Your child doesn't sound like he shows hyperactive and impulse problems. I'd hold off on meds until you ruled out other things. Your child presents much like my son did at 4. He first got diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder, which greately affected how he interacted socially because he couldn't process auditory things well. At age 4, when in a social group, he would not interact well with others....he preferred alone play. He also had a very difficult time sitting a listening to me read to him. He was highly distractable. I'd have a speech therapist screen him for an auditory processing disorder first, then if he fails the screen....take him to an audiologist who specializes in APD to do a more comprehensive test. My son ultimately got dx'd with co-existing APD and ADHD Primary Inattentive. If your son shows other sensory issues, and OT would be the person to evaluate him.
Okiemom
Our child is not really bouncing around, but doesn't play well with peers, we wory how school wil be, all those kids, and also does not focus well. It's really becoming difficult to have a decent time together outside of the home. Every other day is ok, but not sure.
We get OT and PT as the sensory issues are there but real concerned re ; socialization and school
Check out the alternatives to medication section here. Many of us have had a degree of success with things discussed there.
As for socializing, schedule him playdates with one child at a time and be involved in their activities so you can monitor and help him with his social skills. You can also mention things he did right and talk about why they were right, and discuss things that upset the other child or ways your son acted inappropriately. It will give you the opportunity to discuss different ways to handle similar situations in the future.
No, it's called an obsession. This behavior is frequently found in Austic Spectrum Disorder. It's different from impulsivity, which is doing something without thinking. Has your child been evaluated by a neuropsychologist?I think this is impulsive: This morning, Pat saw a girl with candy. Pat became so focused on it and wouldn't let up, kept going on and on and the girl got annoyed and kind of got angry and hitting a bit.
Isn't that impulsive?
Your son is obsessiong, not being impulsive. That's common in disorders other than ADHD. Here's our story. We medicated our son for three years for ADHD, starting at age 3. Since he was hyper, we figured that was his main problem. He doesn't really have ADHD as a core issue, but we didn't know it. I wouldn't rush to medicate yet, although you may have to later on. If he also has sensory issues and social cluelessness, the best thing you can do for your son is to take him to a NeuroPsycologist. They do intensive testing, instead of snap diagnosing, and can see ADHD and beyond it. There are mimickers. Make sure you have the right dx. before you give him anything. My son had two wrong diagnoses and twelve wrong meds (he was diagnosed bipolar after the ADHD, and that was wrong too). Too many professioinals, who should know better, Pediatrians and regular Psycologists being the biggest offenders, diagnose off the top of their heads, and don't run any tests at all (performance testing) to see if maybe a child is not just ADHD, then they prescribe stims which make certain disorders worse. I would take this online test for a PDD. The people on the PDD board swear that if you are honest about your answers, it's a very accurate test. It indicates mild to severe autism, but, if your son has it, he is very high functioning and bright. Here is the test. I also included a link to the PDD board if you wish to ask them the same questions. Dyslexia can also be picked up by NeuroPsychs because they will test for any/all LD's. Across the pond, it is hard to get a diagnosis beyond ADHD, but in the US, you can and I'd take advantage of that chance. It's so easy to get a wrong diagnosis. Most of the ASD kids started out being told they were ADHD, and this kid has red flags for ASD. My son is still an "odd duck" but MUCH better, and med-free. He's doing fantastic, which he wouldn't be if still diagnosed with ADHD. These kids need special supports and help, especially in school, and social skills is a big one. Good luck.
www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html
www.autism-pdd.net/forum/default.asp
MomWI38919.2041782407
i agree with smallmom it is an obssession but my son has them and only has ADHD.
I know it is hard but it is up to you to help her socialise and it is tiring believe me.
i let him play outside for 1/2 hour to start with and started playing a game of tag with him,then some neighbours kids joined in.did that often if he started "acting up" i just took him in.
then i got a climbing frame,trampoline,water games in my garden and invited one child jude liked from nursery to play,again only until jude starting playing up.
we also take him a lot to playcentres and you guessed we have to stay with him.
one of my neighbours had a baby,her son goes to the same nursery than jude so i offered to take him with us.walking every day with callum helped and now they are best friends.me and my husband always stay or play with them in case jude lashes out,we know the signs by now so we intervene before.
it is a long road but it is worth it.i am lucky i don't work so i can do all this things.
sorry i forgot
my son is also 4 and we are doing behavioral therapy,play therapy and we are trying homeopathy.
here in britain they don't medicate until at least 6 years old and i agree with that but it is only my opininion.