Think dd1 might have ADHD

jjmea wrote: I've been doing some research into ADHD and I think dd1 (5) has it.
She sounds like the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

Hyperactive children always seem to be "on the go" or constantly in motion. They dash around touching or playing with whatever is in sight, or talk incessantly. Sitting still at dinner or during a school lesson or story can be a difficult task. They squirm and fidget in their seats or roam around the room. Or they may wiggle their feet, touch everything, or noisily tap their pencil. Hyperactive teenagers or adults may feel internally restless. They often report needing to stay busy and may try to do several things at once.

Impulsive children seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. They will often blurt out inappropriate comments, display their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for the later consequences of their conduct. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy from another child or hit when they're upset. Even as teenagers or adults, they may impulsively choose to do things that have an immediate but small payoff rather than engage in activities that may take more effort yet provide much greater but delayed rewards.


Some signs of hyperactivity-impulsivity are:

Feeling restless, often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming while seated
Running, climbing, or leaving a seat in situations where sitting or quiet behavior is expected
Blurting out answers before hearing the whole question
Having difficulty waiting in line or taking turns.


This sounds like her to a tee. I have had a few calls from her teacher about her behaviour at school and her behavior at home is horrible. She knows the rules and constantly breaks them. She is always on the go.

If she goes to the school counselor, how involved would the school be if she is diagnosed? Will she be put in a special class? She is extremly smart and does good schoolwork, even her teacher says this, so I don't want her put in a special class.

Should I just go through her pediatrician and try to keep it below the schools radar?

I have no idea how to deal with this and as you can see I have a bunch of questions. I would like anyone who has experience with this to chime in, lol. TIA

Mommy2BAK replied: My DH has ADHD still. They say most grow out of it, but so far he is FAR from it. I could tell you all about ADHD

DansMom replied: I've received those descriptions/questionnaires from my health provider and have noticed how many kids would qualify as ADD based on them. I really think these mailings are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies peddling their product. Some kids really do have a problem---I've seen some great results in kids that really were not able to function at all---but the number of kids who are normal that get this diagnosis is disturbing. I would proceed with caution, especially if the schools have not told you that they think this particular problem exists. The medications given, while very helpful to the group of kids that really need them, can be detrimental to normal kids who are just high energy, self-centered, and scattered (many kids are!!). Are there performance problems in school, other than the occasional disruptive behavior? Is she learning what she's supposed to be learning at this age? If so, I would take a "wait and see" approach. You might mention it to the pediatrician, but some peds also prescribe the medication in cases where it isn't needed. That's just my And I hope nobody takes it personally---I realize that some kids really benefit from the medication, and I'm not questioning anyone's decision to use the medication.

TANNER'S MOM replied: I totally agree, I think some kids really Have it and need to be medicated and I think some children just need an outlet for enegry and a direction.

Years ago we never heard of ADD. But years ago kids were able to play outside in safety. They could ride there bikes, and go to the neighbors back yard and we didn't have to worry. We didn't have to put them infront of the Tv with a video game b/c it is safe for them to be in the front yard anymore.

Kids have no place to go these days and they have no release. This is just my thoughts and I am by no means down grading anyone. I think there are kids who really need meds.. who have serious issues, but I think in this society if we have a strong minded busy kid then we tend to ADD.

But I will tell you this, my two boys will be fighting and not studying homework. Being awful. But when we do an activity than can burn some energry and give them release...they are different boys.

kimberley replied: be careful with this please. my 8yo son has displayed signs of ADD for a long time so i went to my ped for a referral to a child psychiatrist last year. she did 3 separate assessments of him and told me to cease all "excitable" activities like competitive sports, no tv or video games or he would likely take a bat to some kids head one day. if you ever met my son, you would know he is an old soul who could never hurt a fly. the school social worker agreed with me that her analysis of my son was off and that he benefited from participating in sports to feel part of his peer group. the psychiatrist also wanted to medicate him if he was still "active" in september. medication is absolutely unecessary for my son! ADD and ADHD are both overdiagnosed and overmedicated! since then, we have been working with the social worker and school psychologist who has identified Jacob as having a visual perception disability. so he will see a specialist for that and accomodations will be made at the school for him. if it wasn't for the school and my own research, my son would be a zombie on meds he didn't need. get second opinions, work with both your doc and the school and hopefully you can figure things out without meds. good luck and i am here if you ever need to talk.

kileyjae replied: DS2 has been diagnosed with it.

It was first brought up when he was in 4th grade. I emailed his teachers at least once a week. He struggled all through his classes. It took him hours to do homework. I was constantly being pulled in for Parent/Teacher conferences. He was having 'attitude' problems. He is my 'outdoors' kid...constantly running, bike riding, etc. I don't have to yell or spank him (well, I never spanked him but once, but, you get my drift) because the most affective punishment was keeping him inside. He would actually look out his bedroom window to see what he was missing. It killed him. LOL

I refused to consider ADD because, I too, thot it was a 'catch-all' phase and the Teachers just wanted someone who would sit down, shut up, and be like the kids in the Pink Floyd video 'We don't need no Education'.

6-7 weeks ago, now in 6th grade, after the first report card came out, all of his teachers asked for a Group Meeting. Uh Oh! LOL

After talking with them, I made an appt with his Pediatrician. He was given a complete physical, and we talked for over an hour. I was adament with her that I didn't want him medicated just so he would 'calm down'. If he truly had a problem, then I would consider it. She started him out on a low dosage of Concerta, increading gradually,and, within a week, could see the difference. One of his grades went from a 71 to a 85 in just 6 weeks time. He still gets into ISS (In School Suspension) from time to time, but, not nearly as often as he was. Homework is done, usually, within half an hour or so...sometimes a little longer.

I also changed how I communicated with him. I am not a 'yeller', but, I did have to repeat several times to get something done. Yes, part was his age, but, part was, his focusing in on what needs to be done. So, I basically make sure that one, he is looking at me and we are at eye level, and two, have him repeat it back to me. Before, if I asked him to, for example, 'get ready for bed', he would, again, for example, go to his room, get his pajama bottoms, then, before even putting them on, would find a book and start reading. I thot he was being obstinate, but, truth was, he couldn't focus long enough on one thing to long.

So, I now tell him to do only one thing at a time, and I am very specific. "Go get you pajama bottoms on then come back to me. Ok, now go brush your teeth. Ok, now pull out jeans, shirt, and sox for tomorrow.' etc.

But, after two months of being on Concerta, he is a lot less 'attitudy', more willing to help out, and I can almost ask him to do things in general terms than being so specific.

I was very resistent to put him on Meds (for years), but, now that he is, I do not regret it. This has truly helped him a lot, and now, I almost feel guilty for him having to suffer so long.

I do agree, that not every kid who takes meds for Add, actually has Add. Some kids are just energetic.

Talk with you Pediatrician, do your research on the Internet (which sounds like you already have) and keep an open mind. She may just be allergic to certain food dyes, it may just be her Type A personality, or, she may need Meds.

Good luck.

jolene555 replied: I'm going to agree with everyone else, for the most part. If her school has a problem, they will push for the diagnosis.

Your daughter sounds like she's exactly like my niece. Even when she's sitting still her foot is tapping or she's playing with her hair or she'srocking side to side. Dirves me NUTS!!! But that's just her. She's scatterbrained and you have to tell her 10 times to do something, and she needs a little direction. She does not need medication. We believe that she is ADHD, but so is her father. He helps her a lot with focusing, and teaching her how to deal with the energy. Sometimes he's the only one who can get her to concentrate, but we all agree that it's better for her to figure out how to deal with it on her own, than be on medication until she is no longer effected by it and need to find another cure.

Maybe you can talk to your pediatritian about it, but I would consider some sort of counceling before drugs.

jjmea replied: Thank you all for your input.

She does wonderful with her schoolwork. Her teacher says she does quality work and she is ahead of her class in her reading skills. She says she is a very smart child, but she feels that rules do not apply to her. She can not sit still during circle time, she is constantly talking, she will get up during lessons. She called me yesterday morning, before school, and suggested that maybe she should see the school counselor.

There has been a lot of disruption in her life the past 3 years and, after thinking about it some more, I really think that has a lot to do with her behavior.

From the time she was born until she was 2 1/2, I worked and my MIL babysat. MIL got breast cancer when Mackenzi turned 2 1/2 and could not watch her anymore. She ended up going to 3 different babysitters for a couple of months. Then,after we realized most of my paycheck was going to the babysitters, I quit my job and became a SAHM. She was also spending every other weekend with my mother and her boyfriend (they were together 20 years lol). She considered my mothers boyfriend her PaPa. He was a big jerk, I won't go into more because it will make this longer, lol, but my mother finally decided to leave him and move out, this was almost 3 years ago. About 6 months later we finally decided it was best that he not be in our lives. Like I said he is a real jerk and we didn't want him around. So, she has also not seen him in almost 3 years. Then add her baby sister, Emily, to the mix. She went from being an only child and grandchild on both sides, to having a sister she had to share the attention with, that was almost 2 years ago. Then in May of this year was when I lost Amanda, her other baby sister, at 19 weeks gestation. We had to explain to her that her baby sister was never going to be coming home.

I think her behavior has a lot to do with all the things that have happened in her life in the past 3 years. I know that she is jealous of her sister and she misses her grandma's. DH's uncle fell off a roof this summer and broke his back and my MIL is the one that has been taking care of him so she hasn't been spending a lot of time with the kids lately. My mother has a new boyfriend and she lives farther away than she did before and she doesn't spend as much time with them either.

So, long story long, lol, I think her behavior has more to do with these issues than ADHD. I really don't want to medicate her if I don't have to. I think I am going to try some new things with her before we go the ADHD testing route. I just feel she is a very independant, strong willed child who is just looking for some attention and doesn't care if it's bad attention, as long as it's attention.

Sorry this got so long, thanks if you read this far.

kimberley replied:

i am so glad you posted that! Dr. Phil did a show on ADD/ADHD that spoke about how adjustments in these kids lives work more effectively than any med. they had the kids talk about how it feels to be on the meds and they were zombies with no appetite. there was lots of footage of parents yelling and screaming at the "out of control" kids. i know a spirited child is frustrating, but wouldn't you tune out people who constantly yelled at you? he also brought to light that many kids who have been diagnosed with ADD had some kind of trauma in their life and/or little to no structure at home which explained their behaviour. it should be us, as parents, who need to modify our behaviour to nurture our children back to health! here is part of his convo with one parent...

"It hurts me to discipline him," Nicole admits.

"You have to be willing to visit the structure. You have to be willing to bring the predictability, the consistency and the discipline," Dr. Phil says to Nicole. "It's not something you should feel guilty about, you should feel guilty if you don't do it because he needs the structure. He needs the guidance. He needs the order. He needs the rhythm. He needs all of the things that are necessary to give him a chance to have a flow to his life."

Dr. Phil points out that Austin does much better behaviorally when he's with his father, and his father's house is more structured than Nicole's.

And another thing that was mentioned on the show and in a documentary, was how important diet is for spirited children. you have to remove processed foods, sugar, high carbohydrates, and fried foods. they showed a school that was made up of all troubled youth. no bars or guards, just a normal school. the cafeteria was 100% healthy and these kids were the calmest, nicest kids you have ever seen who did well in class. down the road at a "normal" school, the behaviour was out of control and the caf was full of junk food.

so i guess i am now making a long story long lol. here is the link to the dr. phil show and the documentary. hth.

http://www.drphil.com/show/show.jhtml?cont...ngwithpills.xml

http://www.supersizeme.com/

Nicole replied: I think my 4 year old son has it too, i take him in for his 4 year check up on the 17th. and i`m going to talk to his doc about it! (he`s been like this sence he was about 2 and i was told when he was born he may have some problems cus he was 7 weeks early, he has No health problems like getting sick and so on, i`m not sure what they meant by that but maybe this is it) My 7 year old and my 3 year old are not like that at all, so it`s not some thing we`re doing wrong!

kimberley replied: please don't be defensive. i don't think any parent sets out to do things to hinder their child's growth or development, but keep in mind, every child is different. the approaches that worked for your other two children are obviously not effective for your other one. all i am saying is that we shouldn't be so quick to diagnose children as ADD/ADHD and use medication when alternatices exist. please don't forget that a lot of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD are considered normal, age-appropriate behaviours. forgetting to hang up their coat, not sitting still for long, acting out in class... all normal depending on the child and his environment.

loveydad replied: my son has adhd. he's 17. It made him blurt things out, have uncontrolled emotions, and he's ALWAYS done at least 2-3 things at once. He's on some meds that really help it. but it never disappears. and trust me it took forever for us to decide he really had what he has.