Is this ADHD/ODD or normal | ADHD Information
It's so hard when you get a child who makes you wonder. Is it him? Is it me? Is it medical? Just bad habits?
To determine if he's able to comply with rules, set up a positive behavior chart/system. Just little things and all positive. Don't start with anything that is a stop behavior, like stop hitting or yelling. List five things that are start behaviors. Like: Holds hands when crossing the road, tries a new food, goes to bed with no problems, plays nicely with sister for ten minutes. Only use things you think he can do because you want him to be successful. Reward with marbles/stickers and a bigger reward when he earns 10 or 15. It's all about easy rewards to start out. If he can do the things and find out how easy his life gets, you can determine if he's just acting out because it has worked in the past or if he possibly has a medical condition.
I know it's more work than just telling him to do something, but sometimes our kids require that extra effort. Hope this helps!
Guess there's all degrees of ADHD, just like there's all degrees of "normal" but from what you have described, it doesn't sound like ADHD to me. Although only a medical professional can give you a diagnosis, your son sounds like a strong-willed child who might have some anger issues. But, if you feel there might be something to be concerned about, I would definitely have him evaluated. my son is 5 (6 next month)
he was from birth a very difficult baby, always crying never satisfied
always wanted me and wouldn't sleep through the night till his was gone
16 months because he demanded me all the time.
as a toddler he was always defiant regarding getting dressed and eating,
walking, getting in his pushchair etc (although lots of toddlers are
like this)
as a 3 1/2 year old he started to refuse going to the toilet which
triggered the Encopresis and it has become a battle ever since
He is at present a very stubborn child, he gets angry when asked to do
something he doesn't want or like to do and if pushed or forced he will
have a tantrum and start swearing, shouting, throwing and kicking things
he hates his dad holding his hand and if he runs out into the road and
is told off then the battle begins with my husband having to physically
drag him home or give up and walk away and let me deal with it.
his tantrums can be short lived but stressful
He is fine at school although the teacher has mentioned he sometimes
lacks concentration and if he is with a particular boy he will be silly
and get into trouble
he annoys his sister which leads to her kicking off
He isn't spiteful, vindictive, doesn't lie but he is sneaky especially
regarding his toilet issues, will tell family (me, his dad and grandma,
uncle to shut up) will refuse to eat something if it hasn't been made
properly or will say he doesn't like it when he hasn't even tried it and
will have to shouted at to make him eat it. calls his sister names all
the time but doesn't have friendship problems at school and is quite
bright and even offers to do homework at home and is very loving and
loves cuddles and quite attached to me
oh and like his sister he is very lively and always in the go and can
run off and be hard to control in public but as i say apart from his
teacher saying he lacks some concentration he is fine in school
what do you think