3yr old son diagnosed with ADHD | ADHD Information

Hi. I just joined today. I wanted to share my story. I have a 3 year old son. His name is Aidan. Aidan was born 5 weeks early and only weighed 5.2 lbs. First the first 12hrs, he was not able to keep his temp up. He was in the hospital almost two weeks. He had severe jaundice. He would not eat so he was given a feeding tube. He lost alot of weight. In the last three years, Aidan has had two seizures. He had alot of developemental delays. At 10 months, he started occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. He also had an Early Interventionist. He had speech because he wasn't eating very well. Aidan started becoming very aggressive to himself and his two sisters. He would hit his forehead an the floor, concrete, wood, pavement, rocks, or anything he could reach. He had a very high pain threshold. We got a special helmet to protect his head, but it didn't help very much. When he turned 3, we took him to see a Behavoral and Developmental specialist. We explained to them that he was quick tempered, he would hit himself, he would hurt his sisters for no reason, he was extremely hyper and did not sleep well, and he knew no dangers, and many other concerns. They suggested that he start a Head Start program, take melatonin to help him sleep, and take him to a psychiatrist to be evaluated for ADHD. They were also concerned that he may be autistic or have Asbergers Syndrome. We started him on the melatonin, enrolled him into a head start program, and started seeing a psyhchiatrist. We also had him evaluated for Speech Therapy because he has Sensory Intergration Disorder and he eats, but he refuses to try anything new. He also was evaluated by a Occupational Therapist because he still has some mild delays. He saw a Neurologist so he could have an EEG done to check for a seizure disorder. He sees a counselor and an EI once a week. He was diagnosed with ADHD by the Psychiatrist and he started taking Adderall. Before he was diagnosed, Aidan's teachers and I noticed that when he got a good night sleep, he was calmer and less aggressive. The Adderall kept him from sleeping well and he just stopped taking the med per doctors orders. I never noticed a difference when he was taking the Adderall. I am worried that maybe he was diagnosed too early and I am wondering if he really does have ADHD. He has so many of the symptoms, but he is still very young. I would love to know if anyone here has a child who was diagnosed at three. I am interested in everyone's input. I have read a few threads, but unfortunately I don't have time to read them all. I would love to here about similar experiences.

Our son was also diagnosed at age three. However, our son did not have half the trauma it sounds like your son has endured! My husband has ADHD and we are pretty sure our son is a "chip off the ol' block." We have been treating with supplements and diet modifications with much success. You might want to check out the Alternative and Complimentary Meds section of this board.... Welcome

My son was diagnosed just after he turned 4. I suspect if I had had him at the doctor for this earlier, he would of been diagnosed sooner. My son is doing quite well as he is almost 5 and has been on a small dosage of foaclin xr (5mg) and on a nutritional diet of high protein and low carbs. Our pshchiatrist wanted our son to work with a nutritionist as he had him take a 6 hour glucose tolerance test. My son was found to have hypoglycemia (reactive). We also use play therapy. In the end we have found him to be much more content with himself and quite honestly he isn't much different from all of the other children now. He is doing quite well.

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[/QUOTE] My son Johnny was diagnosed at 4, he also goes to a Head start program here in indiana he also goes to a special development school in a near by town. I was wondering how he did on the adderall since my son took it for a week and he went nuts, the Covered Bridge program said since he has sensory intergration dysfunction the stimulants wouldn't do good. They also said he was on the Autism Spectrum Disorder very mild. Maybe someone in your area (head start) can recomend someone to take a look at your son.

Louise,

I am sorry to hear that your son has ADHD, autism, and a Communication disorder. It is very hard to praise their behavior. You are so busy telling them what not to do that you don't spend enough telling them how proud of them you are when they do what they are supossed to do. I try to be sure that I show Aidan how much I adore and appreciate him.

I also keep a diary for his Psych. It was the diary that helped me see routines and helped me realize why he does the things he does. I can't believe how much our two are alike! Did your son ever hit his head on the floor? Did he ever rock back and forth? I was just wandering because Aidan does both.

The melatonin that Aidan was taking stopped working as well as it did. He would wake up a few times at night and if he didn't get enough sleep. his behavior was worse. The psch put him on Clonidine. Its non-habit forming and he shouldn't fell groggy the next day so I am giving it a try. Since the Adderall did not work, she wants him to try Ritaline. I am not so sure I want to do that. I was wondering if anyone had any small children on it. I would love to know how they are doing.

Thank you all so very much for such quick replies. When Aidan was on Adderall, the only thing that changed was his sleep routin. He usually goes to bed at 7:00 and get up at 7:00. He usually would sleep straight through. I know 7pm seems early, but if he didn't get enough sleep, he was agressive to hisself and others. He hits children at school. He is cranky all day. Its almost impossible to get him to calm down. When he gets enough sleep, he is more calm and less aggressive. The Adderall did not help his ADHD. Aidan would wake up every hr or so screaming. He was so restless. As I mentioned before, Aidan does have Sensory Integration Dsyfuntion and a few of his doctors suspect mild Autism or Aspergers. He does have an appointment to see the developmental specialist again and we are gonna go from there. I would love to hear more about children who have had success with supplements and/or diet changes, I would like to know how they have helped. My husband and I are considering trying those. I am going to do some more reading to see what I can find. I have been afraid that maybe he has been diagnosed to soon. I just want to be sure, as any parent would, that he is being isn't being treated for problems he doesn't have. I want to learn as much as possible and I wanted to thank you all for your help. I am 95% sure Aidan has ADHD and maybe other issues, but there is that 5% that makes me want to be sure. Thats why he sees so many different specialists. Anything anyone can tell will be greatly appreciated. HELLO AND WELCOME..... I'll never forget becoming a member here and posting about my 3 yr old. he's now 4 almost 5.. anyways many member thought i was crazy putting my 3 yr old on medication... but i knew in my heart something wasn't right about dillon.. dillon is bipolar many of his behavior is just like your sons...and dillon was also born early.. i'm not a doctor but your sons behavior is far more then ADHD.. it really sounds more like autism... the neuro would be able to tell you that.. dillon also knows no danger, quick temper,extremely hyper,very violent and he also didn't sleep well until medication. i truly wish you luck ...

my son was diagnosed at 3 years and 9 months.here in britain we don't medicate until 6 years old and i agree with this except of course for bipolar,but if it is just ADHD there is alternatives.

play therapy,behavioral therapy,massage therapy,movement therapy and homeopathy.

my son always had the sleep problems and the no sense of danger but it does sound like more than ADHD because of the head banging.

My son was also diagonosed at 3. I knew i had a problem with Dylan at age 18 months though. I have been in daycare for so long. So you know what is normal and what is not. My son is 8 now. He has been on at lease 6 diffrent drugs. He is now on concerta and alibfy. My son was a month early. But i didn't have all the trama you have had. I wish you and your family luck with your son. And it isn't easy raising a child with adhd. Some days i wish i could be the one to run away.

I have an appointment for Aidan to see a Developmental Ped, but I was wondering what doctors diagnosed ADHD for your children. Aidan's psych diagnosed him. He also needs to see a doctor who can test him for Autism. Aidan has alot of anger and he hurts hisself and others. I want to find out why he does the things he does so I can help him. I need to figure out ways to help him with his anger. He has an IEP, but what else can I do and who else can help? Also I am wanting to try supplements to help him with his anger, aggression, hyperactivity, and attention span. He is only three. I want to have a list of ideas for the doctor. Any suggestions? Oh, and what do you give your children to help them sleep. Aidan has been taking 1 3mg melatonin and benadryl. I am so sorry for all the ?'s. I realize every child is different, but I was hoping I could get some ideas that I can discuss with his Develomental Ped. I wanted to thank you all for all your help and advice. I am very sorry that your children have ADHD, but I am relieved to hear that it isn't unusual for children to be diagnosed with ADHA this young. I hope your children have a happy, healthy life. You must be wonderful mothers to take the time to learn and help others with ADHD. Thank you all so much for taking time from your day to help.

Reading your 'story' was just like looking in a mirror. (Though my son wasn't born early). My son was diagnosed by his paediatrician and medication was a last resort when he was 5 1/2.

What I found helped with the doctor was to keep a day to day diary, of everything that was unusual including aggressive behaviour and things that my older children weren�t doing at his age. She said me doing that had saved her a lot of time and questions for me - and it did help move things quicker.

The meds he takes have improved his behaviour, but it is still an issue, it can be either attention-grabbing IE wanting his sisters attention so he'll hit them in the back of the head, or frustration, anger, a part of his hyperactivity, or retaliation - for even minor things such as taking apart his Lego. He doesn't realise it's not the right way to go about things - that message still hasn't sunk in, I don't know if it ever will, but he still has consequences for his actions, time out, (No smacking, slapping, hitting. spanking - whatever it is you want to call it - as this is what I want to stop him doing). And I tell him why he was timed out, that doing x.y,z isn't nice because it hurts, then I make him apologise and hug whoever it was he hurt - and we go on a fresh start from there.

He does punch himself in the head, scratch to bleeding point, and do really silly things like run into walls - and although it bothers me, I have to hold that back and not show him - because it gives attention - negative attention. Normally I'll hold him get eye contact and firmly say 'Jordan if you do that you'll hurt yourself, stop it please', and leave it that.

Don't forget to praise and give lots of hugs and positive attention too - I know its hard, sometimes when you can't see a reason to praise it's harder still - if you can praise for things you might not normally, like putting a cup on the side or sitting nicely for even a couple of mins, I know it's hard and there's no quick solutions, but hang in there - trial and error has helped me a lot, and we've still got a way to go too.

Take Care

Louise

My son is 3 and is having much difficulty with aggression and impulsive behavior as well as hyperactivity at school. His 6 year old daughter has ADHD as well so we know what we are up against. I talk to the family psych about using guanficine rather than a stimulant to see if it can curb some of these symptoms and make life easier for him and his teachers (He isnt nearly as difficult at home.) I am really hoping this will work for him, cant get an appt till January though...