Need Some Advice

lovemy2 wrote: OK so I posted in GD about Kindy Behavior - and Olivia's not always following directions, needing to be redirected kinda stuff - I emailed her Kindy teacher and asked about ADHD - I was ADHD as a kid - probably still am - but my parents never allowed me to be labeled or medicated which now looking back is a good thing - I did just fine (well so to speak ) anyway - here is the response I got back from her teacher

"I am noticing that now that things are getting harder and Olivia has to sit longer or has to do a worksheet (hello paper) she gets quite squirmy and is moves all over the place, unless I put her right in front of me. I am not sure of the ADHD part because she is so young, and it is really hard in most cases to diagnose something like adhd at such a young age when a bit of maturity might be all she needs. It probably would be a good idea to just mention it to you ped. just so he can document it for the future. In most cases it is hereditary, but look how wonderfully you have adapted and have grown to be a successful adult. Olivia will do the same, but of course we will continue to watch her very carefully throughout the rest of kindergarten and when it comes time for me to pass her on to 1st grade, I will meet with her teacher to tell her the things that have worked for Olivia. Thanks for all of your support."

Here is my question - would you pursue this with her Ped at this point or just keep working with the teacher (which I would anyway) the way we are? I am scared to death of missing something and I am also scared to death of overreacting.......

Her teacher has told me more than once she is NOT a behavior problem in the sense that she is physical with other kids, extremely disruptive, etc. I personally think from what I do with her at home - reading, worksheets, etc. etc. that if something doesn't come to her right away she shuts down quick - which bothers me too.........

HELP.....

Cece00 replied: I wouldnt let a teacher or a ped diagnose a child.

You need to take her to a pediatric psychiatrist or neurologist if you are concerned about it.

TrulyBlessed replied: You have to follow your gut feeling, but I personally would give her some more time.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: If she isn't disruptive and she is learning and retaining information and her grades aren't suffering, I personally don't see a problem. IMO it would take a lot more to diagnose her as anything. She needs more time. I would let the teacher keep an eye on her and would just mention it to the ped, but not pursue testing or anything of the sort. She is pretty young.

MommyToAshley replied: I'm not even sure what age they can diagnose ADHD?

I think you are you doing the right thing by working so closely with the teachers. Any plan wouldn't be successful without that, so I commend you for that. It sounds like the teacher is optomistic and thinks it might just be a maturity thing. Her behavioral problems sound normal for that age group I think. I've noticed a few in Ashley's class that don't have a long attention span, and those are the ones on the younger side.

I don't think it would hurt to mention it to your ped. If you sense things are headed in the wrong directio, then I don't think additional testing is a bad idea... even for a little reassurance. But for now, I think I'd just keep an eye on her.

Nina J replied: I would go to your GP, they can refer to you the appropriate people. Because really, teachers and GP's are not experts about those things so you should get refered to some one else.

sparkys2boys replied:
I agree with Dee Dee on this, just keep on eye on it all and stay in close contact with her teacher

luvmykids replied: Colt has a very hard time focusing and is like Olivia in that if something doesn't click right away, he's not interested. So far it's helped (at home) for me to sit right with him and just keep directing him back to it and explain that just because he has to think about it doesn't mean he can't do it, it just means he's learning it.

I'd keep in contact with the teacher and just wait awhile, Kindy has changed so much but the teachers at our school keep stressing that it is such a learning year, learning how a classroom works, how to do work in a group and individually, etc. I think it's just hard for kids that age to grasp the purpose behind everything they're doing. I agree with the teacher that it might just be a maturity thing.

lovemy2 replied:
You hit the nail on the head Mon - as usual - DH and I talked alot about it last nite - we are going to just leave it alone for awhile - see how next year plays out and go from there - I DON"T want to subject her to alot of testing, etc. etc. when it really isn't necessary - she is a young 5 - won't be 6 until the end of the school year - so we will just keep an eye on it all - keep working with the teacher and just let her grow up naturally!!!

Thanks again guys

luvmykids replied:
I think that is the best plan, and I also hate the thought of all the testing....I don't want to put something in their heads that may be unwarranted, kwim? Also, I had forgotten how young she is, there is a huge difference between 5 and 6 for some reason, it seems like closer to 6 for most kids is when it really starts to click.

I worry a lot about it too, I am so freaking analytical

luvbug00 replied: it actually sounds nothing like ADHD. Sounds like ADD. which i have, attention defficet disorder. ADHD children are out of control with their energy and act out more then children with ADD. We ADD people just can't focas. I will start a project and then remeber there is somthing else i have/or was planning to do and lose concentration. I did that alot in school and sitting near my friends didn't help. i got in alot of troubble for talking and not paying attention. I say take her to a General pract, and they will reccomend a person for further diagnosis.

lovemy2 replied:
You are right Nadia - I think I actually meant more along the lines of ADD - not ADHD - I too was/am ADD not ADHD - I can control myself (except after a couple cocktails ) but can't always finish the task at hand without skipping to something else - you should see my house when I am cleaning it looks worse than when I started