Is it possible to have symptoms on | ADHD Information

only in school? my son, not yet 5, has NO NO NO NONE of adhd symptoms outside of school?

Happy 4th!

It is posible that the stress or excitement of being around other kid is making symptoms worse at school. A lot of kids are not diagnosed until the problems in school force the issue. What behaviors is he displaying in school that concern you?

Getting a positive reinforcement behavior plan in place with the teacher can help modify some behaviors. The school my kids go to has a system like the marble system by ogram but with tickets. You will find that thread at the top of the parenets board.

My youngest never shows hyperactivity at school, but the stress of holding it all in caused a lot of frustration that came out as defiance and anger. So they can be different in different settings, but I think all kids can show this kind of inconsistancy.

Outside of school, he is completely typical, in fact leans toward very mellow.

Around other kids (i.e. at school) gets too stimulated, loud at times, likes to touch kids too much (sensory) and is overly sensitive.

Of course he's not sensitive or any of this at home, there's no reason as it's not stimulating or any kids to deal with.

???? But if I have to medicate him (in the future) just for school reasons, i cannot. Anyone have similar child in this situation?

It's probably not ADHD, probably more overexcitement, immaturity etc.

I would give it a while, see if he matures.

Try the alternative board to see if you can give something that will calm him down a bit... I know that magnesium is one supplement often given to calm down but you would have to ask someone about the dosage.

If the symptoms are present in only one setting, the diagnosis of ADHd cannot be made. From the DSM IV:

Diagnostic Criteria:"Some impairment from the symptoms must be present in at
least two settings (e.g., at home and at school or work) (Criterion C)."

In other words, if the symptoms are only in one setting the child *cannot*be diagnosed as ADHD. This does not mean the child is not ADHD but simply that the diagnosis cannot be put on under these conditions and an effort needs to be made to see what else may be going on.

There are other things that can mimic ADHD. For example a very bright child who is bored out of his skull will show ADHD like symptoms. Before I allow someone to put that label on him, I would get an evaluation from someone with a lot of experience an training in diagnosing ADHD. May well be worth your while.

Good luck

Diz

He is only 5. this very well could be a ittle bit of immaturity and anxiety. He is safe and comfortable at home, but anxious at school, different environment. I would also work with school on a behavior plan and if things do not improve over the next year or so it would probably warrant a psych eval. This could all be sensory and not ADHD at all. Kids with sensory processing issues mimic ADHD type behaviors. Either way you should for sure keep track of when he is overstimulated an how if you can so you will have data when he is older and easier to sort out maturity or behavioral concern.

Could overstimulation be what's going on? Could he also be just hyper without the ADHD going on.

Remember when kids were allowed to be hyper without having to be diagnosed by teachers?!

I would keep an eye on things, as he matures things should change either way!

My son would get overstimulated by the colorful carpet and smelly markers. He has ADHD with some sensory issues mixed in. Time may help. Good luck!