Does my son have ADHD? | ADHD Information

My son is 4 1/2 and I am taking him to the pediatrician to discuss behavioral issues that we have been having at home and at school.  I have been in denial for a while about this and am now beginning to believe that he may actually have ADHD.  He has nearly all symptoms that I read about and the teachers/directors at his preschool have brought it up ever so gently on more than one occassion.  However, this last time he actually intentionally scratched a teacher. I've been trying to excuse it by making excuses (he's all boy, he has an older brother and sister and is just trying to keep up, etc.).  I personally have become very frustrated with him and can only imagine how it is at school when trying to keep a classroom of 4-5 year old kids under control.  Can doctors evaluate and determine a child that young having ADHD?  Would my best bet be going straight to a child phychologist or phychiatrist?

Hi- My son Jon was dx when he was 4 y/o. I went to the University of Florida ADHD clinic and he was evaluated by a specialist in ADHD. It doesn't matter who evaluates your son as long as the person is qualified to evaluated ADHD. You could ask your pediatrician for a recommendation.

I know what you are going through and I feel so badly for you and your son. When Jon was put on medication, the doctor told me to start on the weekend and not to tell his teachers when he first went back to school. The difference was incredible!! I got to know my son for the first time. He was funny, sweet, delightful and polite. All things he was NOT before the medication.

Try to read as much as you can about ADHD and a great book for discipline for ADHD children is: 1-2-3-Magic.

Good luck and keep us up to date.

I don't know if there are any specialists around here (although I haven't really done a lot of research yet but being in the Minneapolis area I cannot imagine that there isn't).  I'll check into it and see what I can come up with.  I do know that, while I trust my pediatrician, I am not comfortable with her taking full charge of this.  

Did the medication kick in that quickly that you would really tell a difference?  I can't imagine what my son would be like ...

Go to a specialist. A major hospital will likely have an ADHD clinic. Expect a LONG wait list though. He's only 4, it's worth the wait. In the meantime, take randyjims advice and read, read, read. Lots of great discipline books out there. 1-2-3 magic is excellent. Ograms marble system for discipline on this forum is another tool people have really good success with. You could also do some diet changes and/or supplements (Omegas). Have a full physical exam to rule out otehr things that could be causing ADHD like sympotms, like full eye exam, hearing test....etc., etc....you'll be getting a better feel for how things are and he'll have more tie to mature and you'll go to your evaluation informed. Knowlege is a powerful tool, if he does end up having ADHD, you'll feel better about the decisions you have to make if you're informed.

Thanks to all of you for your posts.  I am glad that I've joined the forum here and know that you will be a big support.  I talked with one of my co-workers about my situation with my son and he gave me the name of a local clinic that deals with various behavioral and psychological issues in cihldren.  I haven't called yet but it is on my schedule to do tomorrow, as well as to go get some books.  I don't have much spare time on my hands but will definitely find it to read these!

I spoke more to my son's (Grant) teacher the other day about the most recent incident at school where he scratched her and let her know that we have an appointment scheduled.  She was very appreciative that we were willing to take steps in making it better for him and her as well.  Sometimes when I talk to her about his behavior I feel like it's her that's part of the problem.  She doesn't strike me as the most loving teacher, which personally I think at this age is important for him.  That's not to say that I know how he can get out of control, because I do know that.  Does anyone ever feel this way about the teachers?

Anyway, I am looking forward to our appointment in a week and half.  I never thought I would be saying I am anxious to go to a doctor. 

I would not say a word in Kindergarten. Way too much changes that yar. It's so different from preschool. Part of what Kindergarten is about is learning to follow the "rules" and handle the structure. Get used to transitions and working independantly. He may make a complete turnaround next year. Like you said once he has that structure and routine he may thrive. If you have any say, request your child be placed in a highly structured classroom. Some teachers are more laid back than others.

Thanks HisMom and RandyJim. I appreciate the details. My son was evaluated and is borderline because he's just on the brink. Psychologist said it's hard to tell at his age and because he's different in different environments (although the more people/stimulation, the higher chance he'll have issues at least some of the time).  As many people have commented, with his age it is difficult to distinguish whether his behaviors are related to ADHD or are more boy behaviors he'll outgrow. I guess I'm just the obsessive mom that wants to know one way or another even though I know I just need to wait. Appreciate everyone's help and info.

Descriptions of your kiddos sound so familiar. Our son talks about everything, always asks questions, can't sit still (unless he's really into something, then he hyperfocuses), and can go, go, go all day long. Our challenge is in terms of the negative behaviors, he's really pretty good at home. Yes, he challenges us and will throw a tantrum or two but we can get him to quickly stop. I think part of the issue for him is his teachers are so la la la that they aren't strict enough with the kids ... they just write it down when they act up instead of stopping the behavior. He has improved with his interactions with peers and has several good friends now. He just gets so excitable sometimes. Argh. 

Anyway, guess I need to just deal with preschool for what it is, quit overanalyzing, and wait to see what kindergarten holds for him.

Thanks again, everyone!

One more question -- did you guys tell the teachers/school about your diagnosis and/or use of medication? Our son's preschool teacher thinks he has ADHD even though we've told her about the borderline diagnosis thus far from the psychologist. I sometimes feel like she's harder on him or attributes any behavior he has to what she thinks is going on. Just trying to plan ahead for how to handle kindergarten. The psychologist advised us not to get into details because of the borderline aspect and to see what the kindergarten teachers say so we can get an objective point of view, then revisit the subject about one to two months into the school year. Just wanted to get your two cents on that. Thanks!

[QUOTE=MominKC]Hi, all. Randyjim and Hismom -- what kind of "bad" behaviors did you see that convinced you it was ADHD? He had many of the same characteristics that my nephew had at that age. Some of which I mentioned in my above post. He always has and still does have a slight problem with authority. He is also VERY stubborn and does not being told he is wrong which is where the arguementative part of him comes from.  If you've seen any of my posts, my 5yo son is borderline and we're in a wait and see pattern.Does this mean he has been tested for ADHD and he is not quite in the range for ADHD?  I'm trying to be patient but get so unhappy when I see all the negative comments on his daily sheet for preschool (local school district peer model/child development program).Been there done that so I know how you feel. I have dealt with that for 3 years. He is a smarty pants like you mention -- no problems with academics -- but tends to talk back to the teacher, play rough, annoy the girls at times, be very impulsive in his reactions, etc. Any of this sound familiar? It ALL sounds very familiar to me. It sounds to me like your has the same as mine. ADHD with ODD.  Just preparing myself for the future. :)[/QUOTE]

Goood Luck to you and if you need to talk or have questions I am here. 

HisMom30139533.7715740741Hi MominKC
  When Jon was really little-about 3- he would run everywhere full speed ahead, couldn't sit and eat a meal, constant screaming, tantrums, aggressiveness, not listening, very very impulsive. Hope this description helps-Oh, and he talks a mile a minute about everything!!!Hi, all. Randyjim and Hismom -- what kind of "bad" behaviors did you see that convinced you it was ADHD? If you've seen any of my posts, my 5yo son is borderline and we're in a wait and see pattern. I'm trying to be patient but get so unhappy when I see all the negative comments on his daily sheet for preschool (local school district peer model/child development program). He is a smarty pants like you mention -- no problems with academics -- but tends to talk back to the teacher, play rough, annoy the girls at times, be very impulsive in his reactions, etc. Any of this sound familiar? Just preparing myself for the future. :)

I wil try to give you the short version of my story. My son is now 7(B-day march 1) and I had suspected he was ADHD for a couple of years now. He has been in school since the age of 3 and had somewhat of a difficult time with each teacher. Nothing very serious just very hyper and would not follow instructions. The first teacher he had in Pre-K 3 ended up quitting because of us. She made the major mistake of telling me "I give up" In my opinion, a teacher should never "give up" on her kids. No matter what the problem is. Anyway he made it through Pre-K 3 and Pre-K despite him being a difficult child. He done very well academically.

Then we get to Kindergarten and at first I thought I was gonna like his teacher but I was wrong, dead wrong. I told her during orientation about him and his very high energy level and I thought she understood. NOT. Although he whizzed through the year with good grades he spend probably half of the year missing recess's because of his misbehavior. Well we got through Kindergarten, again with really good grades and me thanking god that I didn't have to deal with her again.

Well here we are and my baby is now in the 1st grade.They grow up to fast.I met his teacher and we talked at lenght about my son and I felt very good about this year especially after the principle told me she was the best teacher in the school.It took less than a month for things to start going downhill...and fast. He was coming home everyday with bad notes and frowny faces on his paper. Everyday was the same thing "will not pay attention" "Will not follow insructions" "Very argumentative" yada yada yada. He had been sent to ISS about 5 times by the time November rolled around.

 In September his allergies flared back up so I started him back on his Benadryl like every time before and what do you know, he started comeing home with smiley faces everyday so I continued giving it to him which I didn't like to do BUT it was helping and everything about his life improved. He was doing good in school so he was not being grounded everyday which meant he could go play with his friends. Everything all the way around was better. Well I decided I could not continue to give him allergy meds when he didn't need them(for allergies) and then things quickly went back to the way they were.

During all of this I was in the process of getting him into the gifted class at his school. He had been through all of the testing and the teacher called me to let me know he was eligible for the class on a probationary period because they were not to sure how his behavior would effect the class. I told her I understood and he was to start after the Thanksgiving holidays. The week before the thanksgiving holidays was the last straw. I had taken him the week before to the ped. to get the ball rolling about having him tested for ADHD. They made his appointment with the psycologist but it was not till Jan, 29th. So here we are the week before Thanksgiving and my 6 yr old is on the verge of getting suspended from school. I said NO MORE. I called the ped. and left a message for the doctor, letting him know what was going on and the next day I went to pick up a script for VyVanse. He started it the 1st week of December and everything has been great since. I can't tell you the last time I seen a  on his paper. He is making straight A's and both of his teacher's love him.....NOW He is great at home except when he is rebounding. Then we just have to change his activities to avoid him being set-off. Otherwise that medicine saved him.... and my sanity.

I am sorry my SHORT story was so long.

Oh I forgot to add that we noticed a difference the first day he took the meds.

 

HisMom30139532.7325810185Yes- Jon's first medication was AdderallXR and it kicked in the very first day we used it!!!!!

Hi - I would just like to let you know that you have come to the right place to get advise and reassurance.  I can't offer much advise on the treatment side as I am really new to this myself.

I joined this forum on the 25th of this month and I was close to despair.  You mention you were in denial?  Well I wasn't but I simply didn't know where to go for help.

However my close family members are in denial so what I would like to say is that if your partner has been the one suggesting ADHD to you then your partner will need to know you support them.

Problems like this can be destructive to family units especially if there is one person trying to help and others staying in denial.

Your son is going to receive the help he may need and I know this because you have made the right steps in joining this forum.

Now you and your partner need to support each other.  I didn't and still don't have this support from family but I do from this site.

All the best and keep us posted