ADD or ADHD..

• 08-11-2008 8:19 PM

  Erika~AJandJordan Joined on 09-22-2004 Mom to 3 ~ AJ ~ Jordan ~ Kayleigh Posts 944

  ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact   So I've been told over some time by lots of friends and family (and most resently a headstart advisor) that they believe my son has Adhd.. I just believe that he is stubborn and hard to deal with at times but I'm not sure if its adhd.. ?.. He is 3 1/2 years old.. When is a good time to get them tested for different things like this?.. I dont know anyone with add or adhd so I dont even know much about it.. Some input would be great.. Thanks!

• 08-18-2008 10:18 PM

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  mhiya Joined on 08-15-2008 philippines Posts 1	Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact hi, maybe you can try to ask some help from a developmental pedia. regards.

• 08-19-2008 10:20 AM

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  Tressa2924245 Joined on 06-24-2008 Posts 64

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact We were told that our son had possible ADD when he was in kindergarten. The teacher was really frustrated and I don't think liked him. But we found out that you really shouldn't test them until 2-3 grade. We had our son tested earlier (in 2nd grade) and they did find that he does have ADD. I honestly think that with just a 3 year old it is really hard to tell. He is possibly being just a boy and testing how far he can get with people. I guess you could take him to your ped. and get their thoughts on it too. Good luck!

• 08-26-2008 7:33 PM

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  nyrd_gyrl Joined on 11-15-2004 Northern Virginia / DC Metro Posts 1,487

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact Some kids - especially boys- lag behind a bit in maturity. My oldest has ADHD, but ever since I had him repeat the 1st grade he's way closer to working on the same level as his peers. I would wait until your son is at least in kindergarten before looking for an ADHD dx. Also, don't rush into school either. If he hasn't developed the attention span or maturity to excel in a school environment, there's no harm in waiting a year. I really wish I had with my son. Hind sight's 20 20. He had trouble all the way back to day care, but holding him back one year put him with the class he fit into developmentally - not just according to the calendar. In the mean time, you might want to look at an adhd book for some ideas on ways to help your son right now. Alot of the principles that apply to older kids are helpful for little kids too.

• 09-27-2008 6:47 PM

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  Stacy8383 Joined on 05-24-2004 Pennsylvania Posts 2,782

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact i am in the same place as you are. my ds will 4 in Jan. his preschool teacher mentioned the other week that he does not want to sit at the table in his chair. i would say 80% of the time he is very hyper. i have been trying to watch the amount of sugar he consumes and also have been giving him natural calm, but it doesnt seem to help much. my mil thinks there may be a genetic link to his behavior because many of the boys on my dh's side have had learning disabilites and behavioral isssues. i dont have much advice since i am going through the same thing.

• 09-28-2008 7:17 AM

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  Chamelyan Joined on 10-30-2007 Midwest Posts 77

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact  I found this great article when I was being hounded that my son may have ADHD (which he has never been diagnosed with).  It helped to put my mind at ease a bit and realize that even if he did have ADD or ADHD, it's not the end of the world.  It's a really long article so I won't post it in the response, but here's the link.  Best of luck! http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t101000.asp#T101002

• 09-28-2008 8:48 PM

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  ChristieBFAP Joined on 02-09-2004 www.SweetPeaRingSlings.com Posts 7,153

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact Erika~AJandJordan:   So I've been told over some time by lots of friends and family (and most resently a headstart advisor) that they believe my son has Adhd.. I just believe that he is stubborn and hard to deal with at times but I'm not sure if its adhd.. ?.. He is 3 1/2 years old.. When is a good time to get them tested for different things like this?.. I dont know anyone with add or adhd so I dont even know much about it.. Some input would be great.. Thanks! my oldest son is like this as well.  He is 4 and super hyper.  Has tons of energy.   I think its just a normal boy phase.

• 09-29-2008 3:10 PM

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  NumberThree Joined on 02-20-2005 Sammamish, WA Posts 1,362

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact My 4 1/2 year old was just diagnosed with ADHD by a Physychiatrist (sp). Not only his he hyper but it was the impulsiveness that ultimately led us to the Drs. office. I am on anxiety medicine just to deal with the situations he gets himslef into. I have to watch him more than his little brother. On rides at amusement parks he undoes his seatbelt and stands up, he climbs on the roof of our minivan so he can jump down, he hangs on the garage door as it's going up, he tries to "beat the door" and runs under the garage door as it's shutting and has gotten hit on the head, he climbs trees faster than a monkey and goes up so high it gives me a heart attack. So being hyper and not able to sit still isn't quite enough from what I understand. If they have the impulsivity too then it's a red flag. That being said medication was recommded and I'm not ready to go there. THe medicines I've read about are not tested on the preschool set only on the 6 and over kids. We are working on getting into a research study for social skills training, I'm taking him to an allergist to be tested and maybe even to a homepathic clinic to work on diet modifications. i have a year before he starts kindergarten to work on these things. If at some point he needs meds then that's what he'll get and I'll know I've tried everything else.

• 09-29-2008 6:55 PM

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  Stacy8383 Joined on 05-24-2004 Pennsylvania Posts 2,782

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact your son sounds like mine! he climbs everything! over the baby gate, on top of the playhouse, he took one of our kitchen cabinet doors off with a screw driver, he put our cat into one of his dresser draws and sometimes he puts him in the trash can! some nights he is up anywhere between 11pm and 1am running around with as much energy as if he just woke up. i have requested an appointment at childrens hospital of philadelphia at there center for the management of adhd. some days he is fairly calm most of the day and then other days he is totally crazy. this is the first boy in my family so i dont know if this normal or not.

• 09-30-2008 1:04 PM

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  Mommy Brandt Joined on 02-04-2003 California Posts 2,381

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact I've been to two therapists because my daughter is very impulsive, won't sit for long, into everthing, it goes on and on ...  The after school care teacher started saying ADHD and medication so I thought I better see a professional about it.  Both professionals told me it is too young to diagnose at this age.  Even if the possbility of ADD or ADHD is there both have told me - and even her primary teacher - that they would not recommend putting a child on medication before age six because it has not been tested.  The brain is still forming and scientists are note sure how medications change the neuropathways in younger children.  We stuck to our guns and tried various methods for controlling certain behaviors.  DD just turned 5 and we are seeing maturity in so many ways!  First of all, I recommend a hearing test if one hasn't been done already.  DD had moderate to severre hearing loss so when we would try to correct behavior and we thought she was being defiant it turned out she couldn't hear us.  Ear tubes have helped a lot!  I also highly recommend a book called, "The Only Three Discipline Strategies You Will Ever Need" by Chick Moorman.  It has made a world of difference with the impulsive behavior.  It also teaches opportunity equals responsibility and gives a one minute behavior modifier - which nipped whining in the bud within the week it started!  We're still working through a lot but we think we're headed in the right direction. Hang in there.  You, as a parent, know what is best for your child.  I've heard stories from my daughter's primary teacher (her class is 3-6 years in age) of how some children spend their first year doing nothing but rolling around on the floor and are totally disassociated with the class.  By their third year they are reading, writing, and are becoming mentors for the younger children.  This is a big age of growth for children and each child is unique.

• 10-21-2008 3:11 PM

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  bldnblondenmore Joined on 01-22-2004 Cornelius, OR Posts 2,728

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact I think 3 1/2 is a bit young to really know.  There is no real test they usually go by a questionairre which asks if he/she exhibits behavior.  That being said I would evaluate him with childcare/family/teachers in kindergarten.   My son is 12 and is ADHD he also is dyslexic.  I feel the earlier you can get them help the better.  My brother was too and he never got any help.  He dropped out of school ended up on drugs and in jail off and on.  I am sure not all people untreated end up that way but the longer left without help the more problems down the road you may face.  It doesn't mean you have to drug them up each child is different and just might need some extra help/understanding.  I may be late on this sorry! Karrie

• 10-22-2008 8:38 AM

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  Mom~of~Munchkins Joined on 09-14-2005 Posts 4,363

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact I am kind of in a similar boat.  My middle child, who is only 2.5, has been suggested to have ADHD.  I would NEVER even consider medicating him at this point, of course.  But he does show many of the symptoms.  He is WILD all day long.  Climbing, jumping, can't stand still or sit still for anything...while my older son was able to at least listen to a story by this age.  Brayden can't sit through even one page of a story without grabbing the book and throwing it in the air and jumping around.  He mumbles about everything all the time, he really has a hard time listening and then gets very frustrated when he gets in trouble all the time.  Time outs are completely ineffective (but I keep trying)...as are spankings (so I don't even do that anymore, unless danger is involved).   But my biggest clue is his nighttime.  It takes him over an hour to fall asleep at night.  He plays with my hair in bed until he gives me dreds.  He mumbles and talks about the day uncontrollably.  He fidgets, kicks, messes with his pillow.  And he also has a ton of trouble sleeping at night.  He's  usually in bed with me by midnight.   So, given all of this, I'm treating him behaviorally as if he does have ADHD right now.  There's no harm in that.  I'm doing reading on disciplining and teaching children with the disorder, eliminating refined sugars from his diet, searching for potential allergens that are affecting his system, etc.  I refuse to medicate my children unless he becomes a danger to himself or others (and behavioral treatment fails).  The reason I'm going at this (from a behavioral standpoint) so aggressively, also, is because ADHD runs in my family.  My mother had ADD, my sister is manic/depressive, I have ADD with OCD tendencies, and my mom's side is riddled with it.  So, given it is primarily genetic, I expected at least one child would have it... So, google ADHD and preschoolers and read everything that pops up.  If you have access to a university library, I'd hit it up (bc their archives are much better than a public library), and talk to your pediatrician.  He/She may have some good pamphlets on the issue.  HTH

• 10-24-2008 10:06 PM

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  Crystal3034546 Joined on 09-22-2008 Arizona Posts 11

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact Another thing you could do is take out the drinks with red dyes, foods with red dyes,and any process meat (hotdogs, lunch meat,and etc.) from his diet. That is what my mother in law did with my husband when he was a child instead of medicine and I have known people to give their child Mountian Dew to calm them down. And if you do end up putting your child on medicine please read about the med. before giving it to your child. I say this because our oldest son had to be put on med. for his ADHD (we had no choice) and we just listened to the doctor and the first two meds. were not right for him and made him do things and say things that you would never want your child to do or say. But we were able to find him the right med. and a better doctor to help us find the right med. for him the first time she prescribed one to him. And another thing watch out for teachers in school because some teachers don't like having kids with ADHD/ADD in their class especially ones that are not on meds. and will make it hard for the child just to make it hard for the child. We had several teachers that was this way with our son. Oh, and we also have three other children who has no signs of having ADHD/ADD (the third child is only a new born). And from what I have been told they can't give children that young medicine and really shouldn't give children four and younger meds. either. Good luck with your son.

• 12-04-2008 7:20 AM

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  Mom2EddieSpaghetti Joined on 09-10-2003 Newman Lake, WA Posts 1,552

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact  I was on Ritalin as a kid. I KNOW what ADD/ADHD behavior looks like. Honestly, 3 1/2 is waaay too young for him to be medicated. He's still a toddler. You have the Terrible Two's and then what I fondly call the Even Worse Three's. Don't let them talk you into medicating your child. My 11 year old just started taking one of the ADHD meds... and it's too early in the morning for me to remember which one it actually is. lol What a turn around. He went from beating up the other kids and giving us all detailed stories on how he was gonna kill us all to being a joy to be around. Don't get me wrong... I HATE having to give my child "Speed", but sometimes you've gotta do what you gotta do. Just don't do it til he's older.

• 12-09-2008 1:06 PM

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  Mommy Brandt Joined on 02-04-2003 California Posts 2,381

  Re: ADD or ADHD.. Reply Contact We have started using this product with my oldest DD and it seems to really be making a big difference!  It is all natural and it mixes really well in a beverage (she'll even drink it alone and chase it with a beverage). We had another behavioral assessment and I was again told it was too early to tell (1st and 2nd grade is typically when the diagnosis is made - unless there is a strong family history of ADD or ADHD)  but I'm giving this a try in the interim.  My best friend told me about it and it worked for both her kids.  At any rate, it can't hurt!