Speculation That 9Yr Old Daughter Has ADHD.

Have they tested her for sensory issues? That would be a good place to start. Sensory issues can cause ADHD behaviors. Her school can do the assessment. Ask, in writing, for an occupational therapy assessment for sensory integration disorder. Kids with SID have a hard time organizing their thoughts because of all the input they are getting from the outside world or they need more input from the outside world to understand what is going on. Let me give you some examples. Some kids can hear the flourscent lighting so it interferes with what they are doing because they cannot tune it out. Other kids need to constantly move in order for their brains to focus - wiggling in their seats, standing up and down, sitting on their feet. Some kids are tactile defensive to tags in clothing, seams in socks, etc. and that bugs them so much they can't concentrate. Some have to have things to chew on constantly.

I'm speaking from experience. I have six special needs kids, all with sensory issues. Two of my kids do have ADHD on top of this and do have to be medicated, but that should be a last resort after checking for everything else - SID, food allergies, sleep disorders, and being gifted. Many gifted kids are misdiagnosed as ADHD because they are bored stiff. We all know what happens when kids get bored, they have issues. I've had many people tell me my daughter is ADHD but she is not, she is highly gifted. As long as her brain is constantly stimulated she's pretty mellow but as soon as the situation becomes "boring" to her then she is Miss Hyper because she's trying to make things interesting in order to keep her brain stimulated.

does she have any issues with sensitivity to clothing, tags, noise, etc? Need to hug really hard? If so, she may have sensory integration disorder.......this can be worked on with therapy (physical).....You don't have to resort to drugs. She could also have a tracking problem that makes it difficult to read/sit still. There are two people I would recommend.

One is a pediatric behavorial specialist (MD) named Dr. Susan Johnson. She has been a godsend to me and my family (my son). She is up in Fair Oaks CA. Worth the trip. I think her number is: ###-###-####

also, here in Marin is Jennifer Ellison who is amazing working with kids with attention disorder issues..........http://www.motorskillslearning.com/ ###-###-####

Good luck!

Hi S.
Have you ever actually tried a diet, or have her tested on foodallergies. For excample a salicylate allergy can cause all kinds of behaviour, hyperactivity,and not being able to focus etc..Does she watch TV. Sensitive children especially should not watch TV because it influences their brain's path ways. There could be so many reasons for her behaviour than ADHD.I strongly believe that what we eat is what we are and if there is a reason to believe something is wrong it often times is in our diet, especially in our culture with all the processed food, artificial flavors and colorings and loads of other chemicals. Good luck in searching for an alternative way to solve your daughters problems, C.

Hi S.,

My daughter does not have ADHD, but at age three has sleep apnea. 25% of the children diagnosed with ADHD actually have been misdiagnosed and really have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when the kids stop breathing several times in the middle of the night. Do you notice if she snores at night or wakes up several times? Before being diagnosed, my daughter could not sit still for more than a minute. She was walking into walls and overall was not thriving. The problem is usually resolved my removing the kids tonsils and adenoids. I went to three doctors that told me she didn't have sleep apnea before we did the sleep study that told us she was waking up 21 times an hour. Good luck!

Hi S.,
there are a number of possible reasons for this behaviour. ADHD is one possibility as well as other disorders in that spectrum. As others have mentioned, food issues and sleep issues can be causes or contributors to the problem as well.

A full assessment should help determine cause and suggest options for how to deal with it. Children's Health Council in Palo Alto has a multidisciplinary team available to help with assessment, planning and possibly teatment. They are not cheap though they will try to work with you to make it financially viable and have some funding available to assist those that qualify. They also help develop SEPs (special education plans) to help schools provide the best support.

An assessment from a sleep clinic may help determine if there is a significant issue that is contributing.

In general I believe that meds should not be the first treatment of choice but rather saved for when other approaches have proven unsuccessful.

I do think you are right to involve your pediatrician and start with a full physical assessment.

Good luck.
K. H.

I am a teacher and I understand your concerns with meds. If your child is falling behind and has social concerns, it is better to intervene at 9 than to wait until she is in her teenage years. It is harder to change the behaviors that have been with her for 14 years if you don't intervene now.

The meds. have gotten so much better. They are worth a try. You don't have to keep her on them forever. But get her through the next 4 or 5 years. This is an important time socially and academically.

I really don't know what you sicuation is. I had four boys now they 21, 21, 20,2-16 7 8. All of my boys had it .I had when i was young.

Please Please try herbls natural med. That ritlin the is s0 bad for anyone. out really dose damag to a child. I've had alot of expreionc. I use to have to take tha and many more ate the age of 6 is when they desided i had adhd. When in fack i am bypoler, manic depression., axsiotees and panic attacts.

Now it up to you to figer out the path you really want to go.
I'm sorry for what you are going through. will pray that you find just the right way to go. I know it not easy.

____@____.com

By the way my name is V. and that is my email address.
I hope I was some what. don't be afraid to email me thats what im here for.
sencerly your V.

sorry avout the spelling i suck at spell. let me know how things went I am someone with a very big heart

I have two now adult kids with ADD/ADHD and they are different. There is a questionaire that you can fill out and have the teachers fill out also. I don't remember where I got mine but I will see if I can find a web site for you. ADD runs in families-does anybody in your family or extended family have it? It used top be called hyperactive.

First, I send a hug of understanding to each of you. I appreciate your situation and will write more another time. First, does your daughter have an IEP, receive support for her learning style, differences and challenges. Please get her to a DEVELOPMENTAL Pediatrician who has the training. The list at the UC MIND institute may seem daunting but openings come up. They also have many research studies that she may be able to participate in (you choose) that would get her in sooner. . Their website will help you get started and do not be dismayed by reception staff or the red tape. The doctors are world renown and loving. I also have several friends that go to Dr. Susan Johnson and think she is remarkable. You might guess that I am also parent with a unique child who has many struggles but not a unifying diagnosis yet. Do you have an advocate? We are doing dietary changes and see some improvements already. I honestly think an overly radical diet is stressful but living as healthy as possible( avoiding preservatives, additives, colors, sugar, unimportant cards..eating organically, if well planned, is healthy for all. Her age is a good age as it is no longer a matter a immaturity. Does she have sensory issues, allergies, sleep issues, vision, Central Auditory Processing? I have been told that Dr. Carol Mayer is the best and she is at Sac State for CAP I am available to answer questions if you have them. I hope you get the information and support you need
and just know that your daughter is so blessed to have you as her parents.