I am new here, I have read on here before but that was awhile ago.
I have a 5 year old son, Ben. He will be 6 in November and will start Kindergarten in August. Ben is a great kid in so many ways - he is smart, funny, sociable, handsome. Most of the time - one on one - he is a real delight.
Ben has always been high maintenance and seems to always be in trouble! I get notes from pre school all the time - not listening, not following directions, not picking up toys, throwing tantrums, etc. Instead of getting better as he ages, his behavior gets worse. And I have such a hard time getting through to him. He seems to understand what he is supposed to do but yet, he continues to do the same stuff over and over again. His teacher is constantly telling me Ben is really smart but you constantly have to be on him to get anything done.
He always seems to be sticking out like a sore thumb. Whether that be preschool, T Ball. During T Ball, all kids play in the dirt but my son is the only one who continues to play in the dirt even after being repeatedly told not to. Yesterday he twice walked off the field in the middle of the inning. No other children do that. And when he was on the field, he constantly chatters to the teammates of the other team.
I have started taking him to a counselor. Because I am having a harder and harder time getting through to him. Yesterday the counselor told me that ADHD was probably a real possibility and honestly, I am not surprised. I went through the symptoms this morning:
Signs of inattention:
• Daydreams, has a hard time paying attention - YES
• Has trouble listening to what's being said to him - YES
• Is easily distracted from tasks and play - YES
• Doesn't follow through on obeying instructions - YES
• Is disorganized - Not Sure
• Loses important things - No
• Forgets things - No
• Doesn't want to do things that require ongoing mental effort _ YES
Signs of hyperactivity:
• Often fidgets or squirms, seems to be in constant motion Sometimes
• Talks too much YES
• Has trouble playing quietly YES
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it's inappropriate YES
Signs of impulsivity:
• Blurts out answers before the whole question has been asked YES
• Can't wait for things YES
• Has trouble waiting his turn or standing in line YES
• Acts and speaks without thinking YES
• Runs into the street without looking No
• Interrupts others YES
With all that being said, what do I do? Do I take him to a psychiatrist? If I take him, will they automatically put him on meds? Do I just keep seeing this counselor?
I am really feeling at my wit's end.
Christy
Christy - Keep seeing the counselor. Your son can only benefit from the behavioral therapy it provides. Yes, see a pediatrician but make sure they specialize in ADHD. Also keep in mind that medication is NOT a cure-all. There can be many undesireable side effects from medication. You don't necessarily get undesireable side effects from counseling . And lastly, keep in mind that you may never "get through to him" but that he may have to do it all on his own. If you try to force it on him, you'll just drive yourselves crazy! It's how our brains are wired. The electricity is just short-circuited. :)First, I would get an evaluation and diagnosis. You can't really do anything until you figure out exactly what you're dealing with. Find someone that is experienced in ADHD (psychologist, psychiatrist, some pediatricians etc) Sometimes the symptoms of other problems can look like ADHD and you want to make sure you treat the right disorder with the right treatment.
That being said, it sure sounds like he's ADHD. I am a huge believer in meds because they have literally changed my son's life! However, if any doctor "automatically" puts him on meds then you should not go back! The doc should let you know all of your options and you should do as much research as you can on your own (this message board is a HUGE resource for that!) and then come up with a plan of action with your doctor. Nothing should be done automatically and always remember that the final decisions are yours not your doctor's.