ADHD symptoms.....help

My son has all the things you listed and has ADHD also. I would suggest that you hold the reins when it comes to the testing. I personally wouldnt let the school get that involved.

Have him tested. The school can't test him it has to be a doctor. I would go with either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. My kids see a psychiatrist since the school provides the therapy anyway. A psychologist can't prescribe the meds.

I have ADHD as does all four of my kids, meds help, therapy helps, both together makes us look like everyone else. :)

He sounds so much like my daughter. The pediatrician evaluated her by giving her teacher and us questionnaires. That was all. She determined she has "mild inattentive ADD" on the basis of just those two questionnaires. In my opinion, it has a lot more to do with her learning styles and anxiety (much of my professional experience dealt with learning styles and differences). We are seeing a pediatric specialist in add/adhd who treats homeopathically. He did a full nutrition and allergy profile (blood and urine tests) on her and we discovered food allergies and sensitivities (wheat, cow's milk, eggs), which are known to affect behavior. We adjusted her diet, provided supplements (best ones have been fish oil and l-theanine) for anxiety and focus, and got her tutoring for the topic that stressed her the most (math). We got her started in martial arts and a show choir, which has boosted her confidence, as well. We also increased her responsibilities around the house, which has also given her more ownership in her own life, rather than relying on us, which has boosted her confidence. We have seen huge improvements just since last spring. Do I still have to tell her to get dressed a dozen times before school? Yes. And so do all the moms of other 10 year old girls in her circle, so I'm not sure how much more we can affect. Her doctor told me that 80% of kids diagnosed with ADHD don't actually have it and their symptoms are actually the result of food allergies, learning styles, and anxiety, which was what I suspected with her. So I don't know how to label her, or if that's even important. But she's excelling in her gifted class, she's funny and easy to engage in conversation, and just more present and on task than ever.

My advice, read a lot about it -- There's a great book called The Edison Trait that talks about how some really smart kids present as adhd when they aren't -- they are divergent thinkers in a convergent school. There are many books that talk about the characteristics of different learners. And if it's determined that he has ADHD, research the different approaches available to him.

And by the way, I'm not very crunchy granola -- I don't usually use homeopathic approaches, but I didn't want to use medicines on my 10 year old without exhausting natural approaches first. My nephew has been on meds since he was 6 (he's in college now) and he has had a lot of very adverse reactions and still does.

Good luck.

Ditto Jo W. You need a specialist to evaluate him. The school can only evaluate him to see if he qualifies for an IEP or 504 plan (special accommodations to help him do well at school). They don't diagnose and can't suggest a condition or treatment. You need a specialist like a child psychiatrist or neuropsychologist to conduct the assessment.

For more information on ADHD, including ADHD-inattentive type, check out the websites for CHADD and ADDitude magazine.

My Husband really does have ADHD and your son sounds just like him.
Get him evaluated and then you will know how to assist him to get through his school years.

My husband like you son is very bright, extremely bright.I have known him since he was 13.. and he has always been this way.

My husband can look at anything and tell you how it works. BUT ask him to write it down and it is virtually impossible.. It takes all of his energy and he says it almost feels painful to just sit and have to work on just this one thing.
Thank goodness for computers. Once he could type it out.. He was saved.

My husband loves to read but it is exhausting for him. Sitting still, paying complete attention to the words.. Just is not natural and almost out of his control. He uses a guide like a blank piece of paper to guide his eyes.

We have found Books on CD or books on his ipod are perfect for him. He remembers every detail. Here in Texas if your child is diagnosed with ADD, ADHD or Dyslexia, they qualify to check out books on tape or CD from the state library. They are no charge and are mailed to the child. .

I asked him once what is it like in his mind to leave the house for work.

He said first of all, he never knows what time it is. he has to have an alarm on his phone, his pager and his watch.. This helps him keep on task. Then he needs to go to the place with all of his stuff to leave the house. His wallet, his keys, his ipad, any paperwork, his extra cash, which he has never been able to keep in a wallet... (I do not know why)

While doing this he will notice the TV is on and need to stop and see what is going on there. Then when a commercial comes on, he may remember oh yea.. I was supposed to fix that light in the kitchen.. so he will go in there and see if it is something he can do quickly.. decides he needs some clippers and a screwdriver. On his way, see that the clock battery needs to be changed out. So go to the battery drawer and realize.. oh,yea. we are out of Double AA's he was going to pick some up a week ago.. The realize. Gosh I need to get to work.. and start over gathering his stuff!!!!

Here is another example. We have been married for 31 years. No matter where we have lived trash day has ALWAYS been Friday. He still has to be reminded. Do not even get me started on the recycle day every other week.. My husband says, trash all looks like trash to him, he cannot remember what is accepted for the recycle can and what week to put it out!!!!!!

Your son can be helped with therapy and maybe even medication. Remember, he will not grow out of this. As he gets older, we have noticed it gets worse.. so my husbands coping skills and his own techniques help him be successful at work.. i also have learned how to help him.. Even though sometimes, i want to pull my hair out.. I am no prize myself.. so we are a good match.

My son was diagnosed with Aspergers in kindergarten. He had major ADHD symptoms- could not sit still for circle time and never stopped talking, in addition to the symptoms of Aspergers such as poor social skills and advanced vocabulary. Some teachers were OK with him walking around, sitting on a rocking cushion, or holding a beanbag in his hands as long as he listened. When I asked the pediatric neurologist if my son needed to be tested for ADHD, he said there was no need to test because it was all part of the same executive function issues.

When my son was in 2nd grade, we went to a different neurologist who did do the ADHD testing. It really helped me understand his problems better. One of the tests was to watch numbers flash on a computer screen, and press a button if a 1 appeared. My son thought he was really paying close attention, but I could see that he often looked up at the ceiling without realizing it. After that, he started taking ADHD medicine. It helped him catch up to grade level in math and he stopped getting sent to the office every day.

Some resources for kids with Aspergers or related conditions might help you even though your son probably doesn't have it. Kids who have it can be very smart(often gifted in some areas) but have difficulties in other areas(especially handwriting). Even someone who can write beautifully when copying can struggle to put all the skills together to sit up straight, think of what to write, how to hold the pencil, how to spell each word, and how to form the letters all at the same time. If you look for info on dysgraphia, there are a lot of resources such as special pencil grips, paper with raised or colored lines, occupational therapy or other handwriting practice such as Handwriting Without Tears, or learning to type instead.

To me is sounds like maybe he doesn't have ADHD symptoms but possibly ADD symptoms (since he's not hyper). He may need some help for focusing or maybe, like w/ many boys, he's just not mature yet....or somewhere in between. A doctor would make the diagnosis but the school can evaluate (and would have to answer questions for the doctor too). I would not rush to a "diagnosis" but rather work to get him whatever help he needs.

The school can evaluate for "special education" which can mean any accommodations needed to help him. It was explained to me that a discrepancy between reading and math can mean a learning disability (even though it can be one they overcome) even if there isn't a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD, or something more severe. The disability will allow for an IEP which means getting your son the extra help he may need to succeed. You, your son, the teachers, and the counselor will decide on a plan to help him. Work on getting that in place NOW.

I am sorry but we are talking about a 3 year old toddler here, not a 5th or 6th grader. And as a former Special Ed teacher----I would suggest that you change schools for evidently the teacher does not know how to deal with a toddler!
BTW: years ago Labels were not applied to children until 3rd grade---but definately not in Nursery School. You also may want to spend some time with your toddler preparing him or her for school and how to sit still pay attention etc. And I am sorry but letter writiing is not up to par, he is a toddler so mom teach him some letters and numbers!

You may have gotten advice from you pediatrician, but also wanted to recommend having his eyes tested for tracking/accomodative/visual processing issues. I am an optometrist and have seen many kids diagnosed with ADHD when infact they just have issues with their vision that can be corrected with vision therapy. Good Luck!

I would definitely bring it up to the pediatrician, but keep the school out of it! Here's why: they will (most likely) recommend medication, and once the child is listed as "medicated" it can be extremely hard for you, as the parent, to
stop/try something different. I have two teenagers, been there done that. Neither uses meds. I would suggest different foods (certain preservatives and food colors are known to cause the behaviors) be adjusted, sugar intake monitored, etc.

Now for a different thought. In younger children, and even in some closer to teens, boredom manifests itself as inattentiveness. The work is so easy that they just want to get it done and move on. Looks to the teacher like he's not paying attention, hurrying etc. If you're going to have the school test for anything, test for giftedness. Better yet, take him to someone who specializes in these kids and gets how they think. Kinesthetic learners (wigglers!) actually use their bodies to help them learn. Slowing them down especially if they are not over the top hyper, will impact their learning. Benjamin Franklin, in his autobiography, talked about how he learned best if he repeated things to himself while walking around. I'm thinking the schools would hate him ;-) LOL.

Don't let them push things on you...8 is pretty young. As for reading, is their an assistant or a specialist to help? My older son was a "sight reader" meaning any sounding out was hard. So we created ways to work with that...and now he's a sophomore in AP classes. Sometimes a different strategy is the answer. I'm happy to talk more off line. My youngest is 8, and by applying what i learned with the older two, he's having a better experience ;-)

My GD is very similar in that her teachers have said that she only pays attention 1/2 of the time; the other 1/2 she's in her own little world. That's why when they copy down math problems to bring home for homework, she only copies half of the problem - she's only paying attention 1/2 the time!

She has absolutely no symptoms of adhd - it's just a matter of keeping her mentally engaged. As she gets older, it's getting better.

Teachers always want the kids diagnosed as adhd - that way parents will medicate them and it makes their life in the classroom easier. I get that it's really hard to teach that many students, and to have the time to keep each one on task, but over-diagnosing adhd and having kids medicated is not the solution.

A lot of kids who are very bright, rush through their work because their brains are work faster than their ability to write. The smartest people usually have the sloppiest handwriting because again their brain is going much faster than they are able to write.

I don't think your son has adhd and I would be very careful about medicating him. You could try giving him a stress ball to squeeze during class to help him stay focused on what's going and not slip into his own little world.

I would try that before medication.

Now this is just my thoughts coming out. It seems like there is a tremendous amountmofmkids being labeled these days. Teachers are always bringing it up. Has it ever occurred to anyone that maybe these teachers have forgotten what kids are like. It seems they want them all to be like little robots. Just a thought. Your son sounds like a typical little boy who needs some guidance because he would really rather be outside playing. I would continue to assist him and reinforce good work. Sounds like a great little guy.

It seems that if your son is having trouble reading, this could be bleeding over in to other areas.

He should get his vision tested (binocular vision, far vision and near), be tested for learning differences, and possibly even use some special reading program. One of my children's reading problems was quickly correctly simply by a method to train her eyes to read faster. Once she did that, her reading took off, comprehension zoomed by several grade levels! See here: http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-it-adhd-atten...

Sleep issues can also result in symptoms of ADHD: http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/04/sleep-issues-are...

Recalling that diagnosis of ADHD is not based on pathophysiology but rather on symptoms, one of my daughters was indeed "tested" psychiatrically and given the diagnosis of ADHD. The teachers thought that label fit her symptoms, the psychiatrist did, and so do we parents! After all - the label fit the symptoms. And she was given ADHD meds, and it did seem to help... until it made everything worse. What had been missed were a constellation of underlying problems contributing to the symptoms. Those problems ranged from sleep issues and vision issues already mentioned, but also to allergies and food sensitivities (you might want to check for Celiac/food sensitivities) and even hormonal issues stemming from the hypothalamus and pituitary!

Symptoms? Spacing out, being disorganized, being distracted by everything, not focussing....
Outcome? Well, in the short run, the meds improved her focus, and she did incredibly well. Then she became psychotic and many many years later, we started getting deeper to the bottom of things and she is now OK but not due to psychiatric meds.