ADHD In a 3 Year Old....

I agree that 3 is very young to diagnosis these problems. That doesn't make sence. I have 5 boys, and my youngest is 3. He can't sit still, he can totally beat up his 9 year old brother, and very particular. That is how 3 yr olds are. Mine is very much a leader in many ways. But, he also is a very loving child, just very much out spoken.

Now, I do have 7 yr old who is very persnickity. I tell people he is my OCD child, but, there again, personality. Learn to work with the child. You HAVE to be consistent. This is the only way. I do have 2 ADHD children, and I am AHDH. I know all about it, and consistency is the best.

Hi T.. As a prek social worker I think a second opinion would be an excellent step. Also in your school district your three year old may have a behavioralist or inclusion facilitator that could come to your home and help with suggestions. If your three year old is in a pre-k program with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) possibly you could attend class and "wrap" your child in the same stategies the teachers utilize in the classroom. Whereby creating an all inclusive and consistent plan. Take care ~C.

Go get help immediately. There are services on line with these types of problems. I would get professional help. It will be the best for you and your son. good luck- do not give up or get discouraged. keep seeking help.

I recommend the book Creative Corrections. It's by Lisa Weishel (spelling?). She was one of the characters in The Facts Of Life. This book is all about creative ways of disciplining/getting through to your children.

I think it would be so hard to diagnose a 3 year old mind with such labels! Perhaps you should visit the Dr. Phil website, I know there's a book there that talks all about this very thing...good luck

Please get a second opinion. ADHD is usually not diagnosed in really young children. I am not saying your doc is wrong I would just double check. I use to teach preschool for 8 years and I would have parents ask me if I thought that their child had ADD or ADHD. I would always tell the parents to wait and see what would happen. A lot of the kids out grew it, a few I found out latter ended up on meds but it is amazing what structure and discipline can do. I am not talking physical discipline. I know we have our own way of disciplining but in my opinion hitting does not work on most children. A great video they have at the library is 123 magic. I got on a waiting list and checked it out when my son was in Kindergatern he is now in third grade and it worked wonders. I have four kids, they are all differnt. Different things work for the each of them. I hope you find out what works best for your little boy. Best of luck.
S.

I'd first get a second opinion.

ADHD is very difficult to properly diagnose in a young child...since many behaviors for this age group are normal...and also symptoms.

I would start with the book "Ritalin is not the Answer" and it's companion book "Ritalin is not the Answer: The Action Guide"

This will teach you how to take control of this situation. As far as the tantrums, check out my other responses and read the one about how to stop this problem in its tracks.

Good luck!

Distract, redirect and lot's of love and patience. Distract him from his "fits" and redirect him back to the lesson. My neice was really bad when she was around three and she actually would have "aggressive fits" that were really distructive. Her mother would sometimes have to just sit and hold her, tightly but lovingly in her lap, until the "fit" faded and then redirect her. I've found that if you can distract a child when you see it coming on it will stop about half of it.

Make sure that you have "you" time or it will drive you insane. He's not doing it to hurt you or anyone else. He probably wishes he could stop but as long as you don't yell back and keep showing him that you do understand but that it is still inappropriate behavior you can keep it to a minimum.

Take at least twenty minutes a day to yourself so you can just relax or sooner or later you'll say something you don't mean to just from the stress. Good luck and be patient.