Hi everyone - I'm new to this message board and new to the possibility that my son may have ADD. He is 7 y/o and in second grade. We've had him in speech therapy, OT and PT since preschool for delays and handwriting help. He does have a 504 but not a full IEP.
Our son is a sweet, quiet, sensitive little boy. He shows no signs of hyperactivity - he is compliant and generally obedient. He makes friends easily and is very empathetic. However...ever since first grade, his teachers have been concerned about his lack of focus and attention. He requires almost constant verbal cues to complete any task. I don't know how many times I've heard that "he's in his own little world"..."he's off in space"..."he cannot focus". Last week his class left for literature and he didn't even realize that he was the only child left sitting at his desk. There he sat, in an empty classroom, and according to his teacher he would have been there for a long time if she hadn't stepped in.
S. is bright - he reads well, loves science, and generally does well in school. But in second grade, the work is harder, and he's not keeping up. I have an appt with his pediatrician and I plan to ask for a referral to have him evaluated for ADD (without the H I guess).
This message board has been so helpful just to read...but I guess I'm wondering if any other parents who are further along on this journey had initial experiences similar to this. I feel so sad for my son...I just want to help him. It doesn't help that I'm struggling myself with postpartum depression (I have a 5 month old and a 2 year old too). Everything feels so overwhelming. I just want to do everything I can to help my little boy, but I'm so scared of what that might involve for him.
First you need to do alot of research regarding ADHD. You need to become the expert. Unfortunately, most parents become better educated about this condition than doctors. You need to investigate the pros and cons of different treatments available if it turns out your son is diagnosed with ADHD.
Some doctors will immediately recommend stimulants. While your son may do wonderfully with medication, not all parents choose to go that route immediately. There are many non-stimulant options for helping with ADHD. You need to do the research and decide what is best for you and your family.
There are a ton of books and a ton of research available. Once you become better educated the issue will be less scary and you'll feel more confident in your ability to handle things.
Good Luck.
If you suspect ADHD( it is all called ADHD) then get a Psychiatric evaluation and find out for sure.
My oldest in similar to your son. She had problems towards the end of the school year, each year, when the work overwhelmed her compensation skills and she would appear disorganized and spacy. With each school year, the problems would start earlier and earlier. With treatment she is in honors math and gets mostly As. She is able to make the most of her talents. Luckily, I had the benefit of going through the diagnostic process with her younger sister and educating myself about ADHD. Because of this, the oldest did not have to suffer the self esteem issues that the youngest one had due to the difficulties of dealing unsuccessfully with ADHD.
You might want to gain additional info here:
Threeboysmom,threeboysmom
my daughter now 13 has mainly inattentive type ADHD also. As she gets older she actually exhibits a bit more inpulsiveness (interrupting) and hyperactivity (fidgeting). Never was or will be the jumping around kind of kid. I agree with everyone above your best defense is education. Learn as much as you can. Listen to your doctors, teachers, other parents. No one treatment plan works for everyone (as you'll quickly read). We have chosen prescription meds for my daughter, but it took a few years to come to that decision. She function SO much better on meds. Read away, ask lots of questions. Good luck and welcome.
It is great that you are seaking help now. Unfortunately, I didn't start looking for help till the fourth grade and now my son is almost 14 and we just now have found a psychiatrist that we like.
It sounds like ADHD innatentive, which my son may have - he has been diagnosed with it by one psychologist but the new psychiatrist hasn't confirmed it yet.
I think you should get a full evalution because your son is still young and if won't be that hard to explain it to him. Unfortunately, because we didn't get the diagnosis till last year, and well, with my son's defiant and negative personality, additional testing would be a dissaster.
I wish I could help you more; I have received lots of support and "sanity" from this board.
One thing I would suggest, as much as you can, try to focus on the good qualities of your son. I was making myself crazy by worrying too much on the ADHD and problems that I wasn't looking at the good in my son.
Also, there is no quick cure, or easy route. Be an advocate for your son and if you don't like one particular therapist, keep searching till you find one you like.