OMG...everything you are saying is so much what we are experiencing with our son. I think he does act out because he realizes that he is not able to do what he is being asked to do - the acting out takes the attention away from that. And even though the attention he is getting is not positive, for him, I think that it is an easier avenue than being uncomfortable.
My sister is a first grade teacher, her son also has ADD and has been on meds since kindergarten - she is always telling me, just like marinewife said, ADD and ADHD are medical conditions, and while behavioral modifications can help them cope, the underlying medical condition doesn't go away - just like diabetes would not go away if you just disciplined your child to stop producing so much insulin (or whatever the analogy would be). I keep trying to remember that, as we move forward with our own diagnosis and treatment process.
I'll add to barb's post and say that Omegas are also now in many pre-natal vitamins....
You might also want to look into Magnesium. It is a calming agent and can help a lot with the "H" part of the ADHD. You can find more info on the Alternative and Complimentary Meds section of this board......
Edited to say that behaviorally he may be acting out b/c he doesn't feel like he measures up. My son is also 4 but in pre-school and I notice when we are in a setting where he feels inferior (we went to a bday party that involved a lot of motor skills and he could not keep up) he tends to act out or shut down. Just a possibility to consider.... I agree that it is best for a kid with ADHD to be one of the oldest in the class.
MegMaguire38974.2612152778Omegas are fine for anyone of any age. They now put omegas in infant and baby formula. The one my grandsons are taking has it added.
It wouldn't hurt to ask your dr before starting it. Its a natural supplement but it does affect your body and your mind, so there is the potential for harm. It isn't likely though.
If he or someone closely related to him is allergic to fish, you should give him flax oil instead of the fish oil.
HI Claudia72,
I can relate to everything you are saying. My son was kicked out of a couple of daycares because of his behavior, but then I knew something was wrong since he was about 2. When he started kindergarten, the teacher would tell me that my son rolled around on the floor, couldn't sit in his seat longer than a minute, and would scribble on other kids' papers. That was just the start!
Over the years I would hear one teacher tell me that he was a jackhammer in her heads and that she couldn't take it anymore. Another teacher told me he was mentally ill (I told her when she got an M.D. to make diagnoses, let me know! Idiot!). Yet another told me that kids like mine end up in prison. Talk about depressing!
I put him on meds when he was 6. I felt that I really didn't have a choice because nothing else worked. He was just so over the top! I finally realized that if he had diabetes, I'd give him meds and this was no different. At the time, I wish I had done more homework rather than just taking the doctor's word for it, but it took many meds and a few doctors to find something that somewhat worked. He's still struggling (in a residential treatment center at the moment because he failed freshman year and home life was unbearable). We got the behavior issue under control, it's just the school part and the arguing part we are still working on ; )
I too wished that someday he would grow out of whatever he had. I have come to realize that though he may never grow out of it, I need to accept him for who he is and to stop trying to make him something that he can never be. BTW, this was what HE told ME during our phone call this evening. He seems to think I want perfection but all I really want is for him to just attend school and not flunk out!
Because your son is so young, you have a few years before you'll be at the point that I'm at now. All I can say is that for me, quality of life was more important than the stigma of medications. I've met many many parents over the years who wished they had medicated their children, now teens. I just don't see how medicating to help a kid have a normal life is so wrong or bad?
I applaud you that you're looking at alternatives. Only YOU know what is best for your son. Please keep us updated : )
A child with ADHD symptoms probably should not be the youngest in the classroom... but rather one of the oldest. ADHD children are immature--by one to two years. I'd pull him out pronto and get ready for kindergarten next year.
Hi everyone, I've researched the symptons for ADHD. I'm convinced my son may have that. He is 4 years old and just started kindergarten. Since the first day of school he's been in the principal's office. I had to pick him up from school twice already. He's been hitting other kids, cursed at the teacher, throw things on the floor, run out of the classroom and just can't sit still period. Today he spat on the teacher. I can't believe he's doing these things, it's stressful and painful and it's making me depressed to hear complaints everyday as if I'm not trying to help him.
He is a very friendly boy and smart for his age. He just have behavioral problems which is limiting his ability to learn. He is also very angry - bitter and I don't understand why. One minute he is obediant and next minute he is another person. He is unable to focus in school and starts to cry when it's time for homework.
We've been to counseling before and he was doing ok. That ended and he just got worst. Now, the program is providing an after school behavioral therapy. He will be picked up 3-5 times a week. I really hope this works because I am sure they will diagnose him ADHD and will suggest meds. which I prefer not to do. I was hoping he will grow out of it.
I was wondering if he was too young to take the Omega vitamins that is being discussed on the message board? I really need help as I'm beginning seclude myself and my son from everyone.
would suggest a DHA/EPA fish oil (500 mg) , and a magnesium supplement (up to 6x the boby weight) . Both have a calming effect. The fish oil can take up to 3 mos, but the magnesium works right away.
re; the above. 500 mg is ok for a young child? Who makes that high a dosage ? I cnnot find on internet, only NN wchich is like 25 mg and 35 mg. And also, where to get the magnesium for youngsters and do they taste bad?
I thank everyone for their response. Sometimes my son makes me feel like I'm the problem why he is so angry. He is now in soccer and today was our first game. He chooses to talk and rather than pay attention to the game and the coach. He continued to push the other players and made faces at me when I called him out. Of course he didn't stop or come to me. The coach kept warning him about playing nice and pushing. He also started to roll over in the grass and play on his own while the game was going. Finally, I got fed up, took him out the game and we left.
I try to have patience but he refuses to listen and it is very embarrassing when he behave the way he do. I just wonder what the other parents are thinking. Once we're in the car his behavior changes. As if he was doing all that on purpose. I freak out when we have to go around a large group of people because he gets excited and like to show off.
Anyhow, we are back in counseling and his behavioral after school therapy begins on Tuesday. I am praying that this helps as they asked me if I ever thought about meds and I said no, that will be my last resort. He is going to be evaluated and diagnosed. I had a rough two weeks with many paper signing and meetings. I he will be attending school again on Monday and I am so worried.
My son used to do that at soccer also. He pretended he was a lion and roared at the other team, among other things. The goofing off can be hard to take in certain situations. I would suggest a DHA/EPA fish oil (500 mg) , and a magnesium supplement (up to 6x the boby weight) . Both have a calming effect. The fish oil can take up to 3 mos, but the magnesium works right away. NoTellin38976.746712963 [QUOTE=NoTellin]A child with ADHD symptoms probably should not be the youngest in the classroom... but rather one of the oldest. ADHD children are immature--by one to two years. I'd pull him out pronto and get ready for kindergarten next year.[/QUOTE]