Help! 3yr old just diagnosed | ADHD Information

My 3 1/2 boy was just diagnosed with ADHD. I am frantic. I have done so much research and still have so many questions. Meds? Sports? I want to put him in toddler gymnastics to burn off that extra energy. I've read everything on Adderall. It's the only one I've read that is approved for 3 year old. Just any help or suggestions would be great.

Thanks

Welcome, Wow, he is really young. I always hear people say that when their kids where little that they always knew something was different. But three just seems way too young for me. I would wait as long as I can to put him on meds, if meds is something that you are thinking about trying. I am in no way anti medicine. I just hope that he is not too young and maybe it may be something else. What I mean by that is he may have a whole different issue that is not adhd. Doctors are very helpful but they are not God and in no way perfect. By the way what kind of things does your son do that concern you. That is just my opionion and I realy do wish you and your son the best. lethy proud mom39874.7895138889

He is not just EXTREMELY hyper or kid that just doesn't listen. He has a severe problem with impulse control and does dangerous things and also climbs on everything. And this is all when we are out in stores or public places. He has a high pain tolerance, we've notice this when he was in an accident at our local YMCA. He seems like he's on GO from the moment he wakes up to sleep. His attention is good when he is going something or watching something that really interest him. I don't want to do meds, but for about 6 mths I have been trying the diet, behavior mod and everything else I could read and try to curb this. Some days are better than others, but there are some days where I want to scream and cry. I have an 8yr daughter and she was just the polar opp at this age.

I am so glad that you posted back, because I was not sure if you would think that I was not on your side because I am. It just saddens me to remember how the beginning years where for our son, who is 9 now. I remember those days like the ones you mentioned when I thought for sure I would go crazy and nothing could possibly get better. But they can and they do. These kids are very special and they can do amazing things. Sometimes medicine is the right thing and you being the person that raises him will be the only one to know if medicine is right. Good luck.

You describe my son!! Mine was diagnosed professionally just shy of 5.

I HONESTLY wish he had been medicated at that age as well. He ended up labeled, bullied, just sad sad stories because of his impulse issues.

Meds changed his life. He plays sports each season. He got better with meds. He is also a A student and always was, but is even better!!

I tried all the running him raged, but the bullies go the best of him and really affected his self esteem and labeled him. Teachers and parents were the worst. Kids can forget, but adults chose not to!

It took my son from kindergarten until he left elementary school last year graduating to middle school to find some REAL friends. The sad thing is I met a teaching assistant to those on ieps and 504's and she mentioned that my son would probably do so much better in middle school than in the elementary due to his lack of friends. But why didn't the staff ever come to us, when they knew all this, why????

He is so nice and sweet, wanting friends but the kids were mean. they will regret it later in life. He is doing fine, has friends, still hangs home where he knows he is loved, but does have friends and teachers who care about him!!

BETHANN39875.4889699074

Hi appt is 3/4 and then we will just take it from there. I just want every test done to rule out anything else. I just "hope" that with time and whatever else he needs that he will not "need" special help and act/behave "normal" like other kids his age. I am going to just take it one day at a time. Thanks for all the support and concern.

Thanks

Well We went to the appt and he does have ADHD and ODD. So I have been just looking up every med possible to research before my next consult next week. He will need something he chews or a liquid. I am so CONFUSED.

do you mean that you are researching meds for him to swallow? Adderall xr can be opened up and sprinkled on food. My son couldn't handle adderall, it made him sad, angry, he looked "high", etc. BUT that is my son, others love it. He is great on concerta, a pill he has learned to swallow at age 6. SOme start with tic tacs to use to teach.

I was told about Methylin Oral Solutions 5mg/5ml. This way it can be given easy and it is grape flavor. Then the dose can be as low as 1mg=1ml. It is the generic form of Ritalin but it comes is liquid or chewable tablets.

happy toddler, how are things going? Please update us when you can.