Hello, I am new to ADHD

Hello, Everyone...I am new to the group, my son has not actually been diagnosed as of yet. I am trying to find out what the procedure is for getting help? I do know all of the signs and symptoms b/c I (myself) have a BA in Child & Adolescent Psychology. I have known for a while that my son was showing signs of ADHD, but of course I did not want to admitt it to myself. I had to realize that there is no shame in it, and that he is not a bad child, just unfocused. The signs have been becoming more noticeable since he began public school. The major problem has been trying to figure out if these are actual signs of ADHD or just an active (4 yr old) boy. It is hard trying to seperate the two, but I have been doing some reading here on the message boards and listening to the stories of other parents and they sound like my life. Some of the things that he does are: Just having an inability to control his body, he is literally "all over the place". He will start on one task and skip around to 3 others never finishing one. He takes all of his toys apart and turns them in to completely different things, but in the same breath, he can (at 4yrs old), look at the directions of a toy and put it together on his own.  He is very intelligent, but cannot sit still long enough to focus and the least little distraction causes him to get completely of task. I am literally going insane...I feel as thought there is something that I have done as a parent to cause my son to have this problem...PLEASE HELP ME!!!  Any suggestions that you can give as the parents of children with this same illness, will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

T-Mac's Mom

Firstly, is it affecting his school life as yet.  I would not jump to any conclusions until he is having learning or behaviour problems in his school environment.

If he makes friends and keeps them, and if he can function in the school room, this is great, if not you are on to his problem early and will be aware of any signs that need to be addressed.

Because you are a psychologist, you will think the worst - keep that in mind.  My sister is a nurse, and when her kids have a fever, she worries about meningitis.  It is natural for a medically educated person to fear the worst.

Just keep your eyes open and if his behaviours become a problem, then act.  But keep in contact and let us know whats happening.

 Thank you very much for your responses.  I thought that I was "jumping the gun", but I am glad to know that it is better to catch it early.  I will keep everyone posted as t how it is going with us.

Thanks Again!

    Hi T-Macs mom,

         I am new here but I just had to tell you that I wish I had made the decision to start my son Bowen on medication at 4 or 5.  He has shown signs and symptoms for years he is now 8, and I ignored all the tell tale signs.  After two schools, he is now doing much better, and his new school and teacher are great!  I would advise you to seriously look at the signs with your child and get help now.  It was a tough 2 years, and it really wasn't fun having to keep changing schools due to lack of control, even though he made straight A's.  Hang in there and chat anytime.  I am having a hard time with the pill taking in the morning, but we get it down, and it is working!

newadhdmom  

Thank you so much  for responding to my concerns.  As far as it interferring with his school work, it is a little early to know.  When I went for my parent-teacher conference, his teacher just said (repeatedly) that he has a hard time controlling his body. He is a little larger than the rest of the children his age, so I just chalked that up to the fact that he is a 4 year old, trying to handle a 6 year old body (it could be hard for anyone). I don't know, but what I do know is that he cannot sit long enough for me to try and work with him at home and if he can't get it on the first try, he becomes frustrated.  My mom and his sitter brought to my attention that he does not stand still while answering questions, he has to pace back-and-forth or move around or figget with something. Like his father says, "He always starts itching and scratching when he has to sit down, why is he so itchy ".  I know that I am probably looking to much into every little thing that he does, but I am trying to catch it early (if there is a problem).

Please forgive me for being a "Crazy Mom", I just want to be on top of things.

Thanks, T-Mac's Mom