Question about ADHD signs, for those who have kids diagnosed.

[Ely in Chicago]

Could anyone share with me, at what age you started noticing signs of ADHD or patterns , behavioral changes? Was there a time when "things changed" in their behavior or did you always suspected of this?

I REALLY appreciate any replies. I have a lot of uncertainty right now about one of my boys. He's always been...I would say a little different in the way he acts but lately....all of a sudden...I started to see some clear indications that he might be having ADHD...or something else...not sure...very confusing!:unsure:

I'm praying about getting an evaluation but before I do that I just wonder if it gets to a certain age where it's more obvious or it becomes more often.

[Alice]

I don't have kids with ADHD but I can tell you that technically to meet the definition for diagnosis the symptoms are supposed to be present before age 5.

I find that most kids get sent in around 1st-3rd grade when school has gotten harder and the requirements for a certain amount of attention and behavior are more than they were in preschool/kindergarten. The parents will say that they always saw those things but that it wasn't a big deal until the expectations increased at school. Also I think that many of the criteria are such that most 2-4 yr old boys could meet the criteria. So sometimes it's hard to tell which 3 yr old truly has ADHD and which one is going to mature with age. Occasionally kids with the more inattentive type won't get diagnosed until much later like 4-6th grade. Looking back parents will say that the symptoms have always been there but the child has been able to compensate. It becomes a problem as schoolwork gets harder.

[Ely in Chicago]

Yes, I believe this is what's happening with him. Before we just considered a "little boy" normal thing. But now we are expecting more of him and his distraction, frustration, lack of concentration, problems being still or sticking to task are much more obvious. He turned 6 last April.

Thanks for the info.

[Suz MamaFrog]

DS's symptoms were apparent before 5, but not so severely as to get a diagnosis, just a gut feeling from me. The "official" diagnosis had to wait until he was almost 6.

A couple of suggestions for you:

*If you haven't already, do some internet reseach into causes of or reasons for a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. There are several good sites out there - too many to link here - and if your ds falls under any of those, then his chances of being truly ADD/ADHD are, of course, higher.

*While you're researching, look into misdiagnosis cases, as well. Allergies, especially to chemicals and food dyes, can often lead to a mistaken diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Other factors can, too. DS's is worsened by his allergies, significantly worsened.

*Lastly, explore some alternative treatments for ADD/ADHD. DS's is controlled through supplements and diet. He's never been on any true medications for it. There are many ways to treat ADD/ADHD without Ritalin and other drugs. The drugs seem to be the schools and the doctors first thought, but it doesn't have to be that way. There are a couple of really great books on the subject, too, if you'd like their titles. Some of the alternatives you may be able to try at home, before seeking a diagnosis from the dr. If you find one that works (say diet, for example) than you can save yourself the tme, money and hassles of dealing with your pediatrician.

HTH!

Blessings,
Suz

[Ely in Chicago]

My son allergy issues too!! Perhaps there's a connection there as well. Yes I've done the internet search and that's what made me think of ADHD. I knew something was going on but couldn't point to one thing.

My younger brother was on Ritalin for years and I am not thrilled with that idea. :no: It didn't go too well with him.

So, yes I will probably try some alternative.

Right now, I'm working on making him aware of his need to concentrate a bit more. Giving him things to do (seating work) and putting him on a timer. He seems to be motivated by this most of the time.

He seems to be the kind of kid who needs to know what he is going to do, how much longer, etc. So I am going to start using the workbox system. I think this will be a good fit for him.

I also started journaling patterns, behaviors, common reactions, etc. I thought this would be a good idea to have a better picture of what he needs most right now.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Suz MamaFrog]

Ely,

One thing to consider - Chemical toxicity. DS's ADHD was so bad this February, I considered enrolling him in school AND putting him on meds. I took him to the dr. and he ran some tests to see what was up. Turns out ds is highly sensitive to chemicals and our new vinyl flooring was possibly making his symptoms worse. We started treating him for a chloride toxicity first and within a few weeks he was back to his old self. The dr. seemed to think that the new floors may be giving off VOC's containing chlorides and that was the source of the problems. I've noticed that when we have to leave the house closed up for long periods of time, like in the winter or when it's really hot in summer, for the heat and central air, he does seem to get a lot worse. We're looking into a whole-house air filter/cleaner system to see if that helps him, too.

Any possibility for your ds in that respect?

Blessings,
Suz

[Michelle3]

My son allergy issues too!! Perhaps there's a connection there as well. Yes I've done the internet search and that's what made me think of ADHD. I knew something was going on but couldn't point to one thing.

For us, although it is VERY obvious that ds#2 is ADHD, there is also a sensitivity to food dyes that make symptoms MUCH worse.

My younger brother was on Ritalin for years and I am not thrilled with that idea. :no: It didn't go too well with him.

There are so many, better, choices with medications now! And you always start with a low dose and move up, if needed.

Right now, I'm working on making him aware of his need to concentrate a bit more. Giving him things to do (seating work) and putting him on a timer. He seems to be motivated by this most of the time.

These are great ideas! :thumb:

He seems to be the kind of kid who needs to know what he is going to do, how much longer, etc.

Are you sure you don't have my child living at your house? :lol:

I also started journaling patterns, behaviors, common reactions, etc. I thought this would be a good idea to have a better picture of what he needs most right now.

This can also be a great resource for trying to decide if the issue is mostly allergy/sensitivity. Are you including what he is eating/drinking and when?

You asked earlier about age of diagnosis and behaviors.... Our older was always a very active child, and we have ADD/ADHD on both sides of the family. But, when the 2nd one came along the difference was quite clear! #2 NEVER slept more than 6 hours. Usually between 4-6. He literally shook apart his crib before he was a 18 months old. He never colored or played quietly. His only speed was FULL THROTTLE. His attention span was even worse! We had him officially diagnosed around age 5. Now that he is 10, we are starting to see further improvement, probably due to maturation. But that does not mean he will outgrow it.

HTH!

[AndreaD]

What age I noticed ADHD type behaviors....4 months? lol- ds was 4 months old when he came to us- we adopted through the foster care system. He has ALWAYS been a wiggly, full of energy kid. It seemed to have escalated around the time he was 5-6- maybe because I was expecting more of him- but I think part of it was he simply didn't "grow out" of the behaviors like you would expect a kid to.

I do have ds on a low-dose of meds- and it is helping him tons. We ran out of medicine- and didn't have any on Monday- and he is SO hard to get along with- it's SO hard for him to concentrate, pay attention and not tease his brothers when he's off his meds. I hope at some point in the future to be able to wean him off of them, but I guess for now I need him to be on them.

The workbox system is working GREAT for ds- We just started- and this morning right after breakfast he headed right in and got his box #1 and started in on it without me telling him. He likes the fact that he knows when he's done with his last box he's done.

[Ely in Chicago]

Thanks for sharing your story, Andrea.


Michelle, no I was not writing down what he eats but I'm gonna start that as well. It makes sense to include that also.

And oh my! He is very bad sleeping too!! :eek:

When he was around 20 months he started having trouble falling asleep. He would stay in bed (yes, we was already on a toddler bed) and rolled around and around for 1-2 hours. :lol: