Hi,

I have a rather lovely but lively six year old. In short his school think he has ADHD, both myself and my husband are convinced he does not.

I would really appreciate any opinions on whether his behaviour sounds like ADHD or not. Please be completely honest with me!

At school according to his teacher, he has genuine trouble sitting still, has trouble taking instructions, he interrupts and is generally hyperactive. She told me this tends to be during the morning and he is a lot calmer in the afternoon. He is in the top set for all of his subjects but his work is very messy. He also has an incredibly loud voice. He is not naughty and has lots of good friends.

At home he is completely different. As an example after school last night he played with his lego for an hour, had his dinner drew me a picture and then decided to make a book. He is always busy but not once was there any hyperactivity, this is a very typical day and I find him very easy to deal with.

As a baby he was very contented, as a toddler he never had any tantrums, the problems have always been when he has had to go to any sort of structured organised group. We had the same sorts of reports back about his behaviour at pre-school and it was the same at any groups I took him to.

The only time he gets hyper at home is before we leave for school. He will be fine all moning and then 20 or so minutes before we go he gets hyper. I am (almost!) convinced his behaviour is stress related in that in situations he is comfotable with (i.e at home) he is absolutely fine but when he starts to get worked up inside about something he gets hyper.

His school want to send someone in to observe him for a morning in class and based on this they are going to make a decision as to whether he has adhd or not, this sounds like not nearly enough testing to decide something like this???

Please can anyone tell me if this appeas to be similar to anything they have experienced and if they have any opinions or not as to whether this sounds like adhd or not? I don't want my son to be misdiagnosed but equally I want what is best for him and we will support him whatever.

Hi missamelie:

First of all, welcome to the forums.

I personally would let them do the observation if they wanted. Even if they come up with a diagnosis of ADHD, the decision to use medications or other treatment will be up to you. It can be hard to accept that something is "wrong" with your own child, but my feeling is, you want as much information as possible, especially when it's free. :)

That said, your school's teachers have the advantage of being able to compare your son against a baseline of many other children of the same age. Thus, it will be very clear to them when a certain child "stands out," as it were.

You say that at home your son is lively but not excessively hyper. It also seems, from what you say, that at home his activities are self directed for the most part. Children with ADHD generally have a lot easier time focusing when they are engaged in the activity.

Unfortunately, our school system tends to be somewhat bureaucratic, and many if not most of the activities the children go through are rather dull. Dull = kiss of death for ADHD children (and adults, for that matter). ADHD children also tend to have a lower frustration threshold and lower tolerance for boredom than other children of their age (it is a developmental disorder).

At any rate, to reiterate: I would encourage you to have the observation done, get a professional opinion, and decide where to go for there. Even if they determine that he has ADHD, as long as your son is doing well academically and does not have behavioral/social problems, I (speaking as a layman) don't see that medications would be necessary. But ADHD kids often start to flounder in the mid to high elementary years; having this knowledge now might help you if such a time arrives (and I hope it doesn't).

To let you know where I am coming from, I have a son in second grade. He started showing problems at school in first grade, and was diagnosed with ADHD last September. We started him on medications a few weeks ago.

Best of luck to you!

what does he eat for brekky?????????? any chance he eats a high sugar or high carb brekky? Maybe he is sensitive to certain foods??? (just a thought)
I wonder why he is calm in the afternoon and the evening...
good luck :-)

Thanks so much for the replies. With regards to the breakfast, we try to keep additive free, he does wake up very early ( goes to bed at 7 -7.30 p.m with no problems but wakes up at around 5.30 a.m).

I also forgot to mention that his teacher said that his behaviour is not like this every day.

Once again, thanks ever so much for the support.

Thanks so much for the replies. With regards to the breakfast, we try to keep additive free, he does wake up very early ( goes to bed at 7 -7.30 p.m with no problems but wakes up at around 5.30 a.m).

I also forgot to mention that his teacher said that his behaviour is not like this every day.

Once again, thanks ever so much for the support. you're welcome:p
what does he have for brekky??? additive free can be full of sugar:faint:

The teacher reporting inconsistency would make me wonder if it wasn't more immature behavior. Some kids just mature a bit later than others. On the other hand like Umnichu said when kids are allowed to pick and structure their own activities ADHD traits are less likely to be seen. Research indicates that at free play ADD kids look more like non ADD kids, it is when the external structure requires being able to stop an activity, start and stick with another one (not of your choosing) and such that problems began. My little ADD eight year old daughter can play for hours making up stories, coloring, and other activities of her choosing. Trying to get her to sit down and down school work (I home school her) is another matter entirely, unless it's something she wants to do. The thing about ADHD is not so much a lack of attention but the ability to filter out more interesting options. The sleepy cortex (yes you hear me right) of an ADDer needs stimulation to wake up. That can be mental, emotional or physical stimulation. What stimulent medication does is wake up the cerebral cortex to increase on task behavior, filter out incoming stimuli, regulate emotions and so forth by increasing the length of time the neurotransmitters dopamine and norephrine stay in the synaptic gaps.

I'd encourage you to read about ADHD and get your son evaluated by someone who if familiar with working with ADHD. Whether or not to take meds will be your decision but it is always good to know what you're dealing with. Some excellent books on the subject include Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley and Driven to Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey. There are also excellent articles on line at www.schwablearning.com (http://www.schwablearning.com).

Scattered

I don't have kids, but I have a 5 year old brother with high functioning autism. He is on strattera to help him with his hyperactivity. I'd say to let them do the observation but to me it doesn't sound like he is ADHD. It sounds more like stress related to the situation he's in. If he's fine at home, happy with friends, then it may just be somthing to keep an eye on. Teachers have very had jobs and I hve a strong respect for them but ther are times when I think medication is too quickly seen as the solution. Somtimes kids are just kids, and there doesn't seem to be anything strange about his eaction to school. In a classromm there is a lot more stimulation, and he has to compete with other kids for attention.

So go with your gut, but pay attention to how your son's behavior changes as he gets older. Good luck!

you're welcome:p
what does he have for brekky??? additive free can be full of sugar:faint:
He has weetabix with a spoonful of sugar (:o) and milk.

He has weetabix with a spoonful of sugar (:o) and milk.YUM:D so I guess maybe we can rule out super high sugar cereal for his burst of energy:p

go with your instinct, but don't rule out ADHD either...good luck..keep us informed:p

He is immature. I have just picked him up from school and he has bought a friend home and the difference maturity wise is obvious but they are still playing together just fine, if a little loud!!!


The teacher reporting inconsistency would make me wonder if it wasn't more immature behavior. Some kids just mature a bit later than others. On the other hand like Umnichu said when kids are allowed to pick and structure their own activities ADHD traits are less likely to be seen. Research indicates that at free play ADD kids look more like non ADD kids, it is when the external structure requires being able to stop an activity, start and stick with another one (not of your choosing) and such that problems began. My little ADD eight year old daughter can play for hours making up stories, coloring, and other activities of her choosing. Trying to get her to sit down and down school work (I home school her) is another matter entirely, unless it's something she wants to do. The thing about ADHD is not so much a lack of attention but the ability to filter out more interesting options. The sleepy cortex (yes you hear me right) of an ADDer needs stimulation to wake up. That can be mental, emotional or physical stimulation. What stimulent medication does is wake up the cerebral cortex to increase on task behavior, filter out incoming stimuli, regulate emotions and so forth by increasing the length of time the neurotransmitters dopamine and norephrine stay in the synaptic gaps.

I'd encourage you to read about ADHD and get your son evaluated by someone who if familiar with working with ADHD. Whether or not to take meds will be your decision but it is always good to know what you're dealing with. Some excellent books on the subject include Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley and Driven to Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey. There are also excellent articles on line at www.schwablearning.com (http://www.schwablearning.com).

Scattered

I've read that kids with ADD/ADHD are usually a little ways behind other kids their age in their level of emotional maturity. Well, adults too, but it's not quite as obvious then.

I don't have kids, but I have a 5 year old brother with high functioning autism. He is on strattera to help him with his hyperactivity. I'd say to let them do the observation but to me it doesn't sound like he is ADHD. It sounds more like stress related to the situation he's in. If he's fine at home, happy with friends, then it may just be somthing to keep an eye on. Teachers have very had jobs and I hve a strong respect for them but ther are times when I think medication is too quickly seen as the solution. Somtimes kids are just kids, and there doesn't seem to be anything strange about his eaction to school. In a classromm there is a lot more stimulation, and he has to compete with other kids for attention.

So go with your gut, but pay attention to how your son's behavior changes as he gets older. Good luck!
Thanks. He goes to a lovely school but it is very under-staffed This year there are 4 different teachers during the week whereas it should be just one. Last year he had the most amazing teacher who dealt with him really well and consequently felt there was no problem. When he joined the school it took him a little while to settle in so their SEN coordinator observed him and said he was absolutely fine, just "lively" but yet again she has now left.

Have you considered spending time in the classroom yourself so that you can observe his behavior? It sounds like his teachers could use some volunteer help (if you have the time). Also, how is his behavior at home when he's doing an unpleasant task (like cleaning up or doing boring homework)? That might give you a better idea of what his teachers see.

I have and ADHD 11-year old girl and an 8-year old boy. I've spent countless hours in the classroom ever since my oldest was in preschool. It's a great learning tool for behavioral issues and for tips to help with schoolwork.

ADHD manifests itself in many ways depending on the child. My daughter is gifted, so schoolwork was a breeze for her until 4th grade (when organization becomes critical). Her ADHD is the combined type, but her hyperactivity isn't the type that you describe. For me, it was her inattentiveness that was most obvious from an early age. I also had a lot of trouble with her when she was doing something she didn't want to do (like piano practice, math homework or cleaning her room). She was also quite impulsive and somewhat hypoglycemic. I used to attribute her difficult behavior to blood sugar issues until 4th grade when she began to struggle in school due to her lack of attention and organization. Also, her handwriting was incredibly sloppy. (It improved dramtically once she started taking Strattera -- it has to do with the concentration issue).

A diagnosis of ADHD shouldn't be viewed as a negative. Your son will still be the same wonderful person after the diagnosis (if one is made) as he was before. The only thing that will change is you will have a lot more tools to help him when he needs it.

Best of luck to you!

The classroom behavior you describe for your son sounds very much like ADHD,

I have just the opposite problem... I know I'm ADD, my family agrees, I'm on medicine for it... but the teachers just think I'm not being challenged in school...

I didn't finish reading your whole post, I havent taken my concerta and I couldn't be bothered to re read that whole thing again and again until I understood it. The only way you're gonna be able to tell about an ADD diagnosis is to see a psychiatrist,psychologist, or w/e and talk to them about it...

Also, I'm a little angel on the bus, I'm completely quiet and I stare out the window and I completely zone out... when I get to school and theres all that activity happening... my brain is like a kid in a candy store, and can't decide what it wants. This doesn't suit your child 100% but you need to realize that there are instances where the ADHD child can get calmed down a lot... hyperfocus being one of those situations... I can sit at my computer for hours.

Another note, I don't know how far along your son is in school, but my marks were straight A's until 6th grade... then they hit about F levels... I've been barely skimming through school since... in fact I failed this semester and will have to repeat half a year next year. Some people with ADD go for a LONG time without meds and do fine, some people like in my case get forced/force themselves to concentrate until the ADD gets to the point it requires medicine to deal with. This is my case, if your son is diagnosed, you should help him to get a medicine that works for him ASAP... having your GPA get to .5 is not a pretty thing...

A diagnosis of ADHD shouldn't be viewed as a negative. Your son will still be the same wonderful person after the diagnosis (if one is made) as he was before. The only thing that will change is you will have a lot more tools to help him when he needs it.

Best of luck to you!

The classroom behavior you describe for your son sounds very much like ADHD,
Well Said! :)

The main thing here is that the school is concerned about the behavior of your child. On the other hand. The teacher does not have the credentials to make a diagnosis, neither does the principal. They need to have a professional make a diagnosis. What are the credentials of the observer?

The symptoms of ADHD are clear, but not obvious to us lay people. It is not just simply, hyperactive and does not pay attention well. While the people on this forum are knowledgeable and helpfull I would not trust the diagnosis of your child to people on the forum or yourself or your husband.

A six year old is just at the beginning stages of school work where ADHD will show up. Does your son get homework at your school? How does he behave when you try and do a little math homework? Will he sit and work at it for 10-15 min? All ADHD kids can sit for long periods doing things they like to do. It is the boring tedious things that they cannot do. Poor handwriting or difficulty writing is another sign of ADHD.

One other thing. ADHD is diagnosed using questionares filled out by you, your husband and your childs teacher. Based on those questionares the likelyhood of ADHD is determined. It is not diagnosed through questioning of your child. Observation by a professional is sometimes used.

When checking behaivour reports of parents and teachers....they most often don't mesh! It's not at all uncommon for there to be noticable differences. It used to bother me as a Spec Ed teacher but it doesn't anymore. Different enviornment ....different behaviour.

I'm not a doctor, but I think I am going to go against the consensus and vote that his symptoms look a lot like ADHD to me. My reason is subjective. When I read your description of him, it reminded me of myself. I am 52 and was diagnosed officially with adhd in January of this year. When I was a kid I had virtually the same problems as the child you described. But, back in the 60's it was not a disorder, it was a behavior problem. If it had been diagnosed they would have called it "minimal brain dysfunction", or passed it off as a behavior problem.

It was never diagnosed. I was simply the very bright child who never quite performed at his potential. Of course it never got better. In fact, it got worse because I accumulated comorbid conditions as I grew older.

I can tell you that I wish that I could have been diagnosed and treated for my condition appropriately when I was much younger. It would have made such a difference in my life.

Please have the child evaluated and follow up with an appropriate treatment plan as-needed. It will make such a difference for him.

Another thing to consider is; ADHD is not so much a disorder as it is a different cognitive style. The child could simply be a very bright mind and a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information his active mind is taking in.

ADHD is sometimes called the "Edison syndrome" ,so if the child has it, he is in good company. It could be that he is simply a very special child and reacting to his environment the only way he can.


ME :D

You could ask your Doctor for a set of Vanderbilt forms. It's another tool that our Pediatricians use to help diagnose kids with ADD/ADHD. There is a form for you to fill out, one for the teacher, and one for daycare if he goes. Your Doctor can then grade them and have a better understanding of what his symptoms are. They are very easy to fill out. We did them with our daughter, who is 6 & in kindergarten. She just had her ADHD diagnosis a couple months ago. We haven't started meds st this point. We are trying to do behavior modification. She has a reward system at school & at home. She has always been a high energy child but not hyperactive, in my view.

I would definately talk to your doctor.

Good luck!

One other thought about immaturity -- ADDers typically have about a 30% lag in maturity at least in some areas. Therefore a nine year old would be acting in some areas the way a six year old might. This is definately true of my daughter. She is eight and plays extremely well with 5 year old most of the time.

If you can find a clinical psychologist who is very experienced in ADHD and related issues, it would be worth your time and money. The correct diagnosis (if a diagnosis is needed) is a huge step in addressing problems that arise.
Scattered

Hmmm, I thought someone already mentioned that... oh wait ! It was me. ;)

Read Delivered From Distraction & also Driven to Distraction

That will explain all you need to know.

And get 2nd and third opinions. Lots of things look like others & share symptoms. Sounds ADHD to me. But hard to say. Only place has trouble is in school? Or any & all structured settings? If doesn't have ADHD, the med won't help him. Hope this helps.

Hi,

I have a rather lovely but lively six year old. In short his school think he has ADHD, both myself and my husband are convinced he does not.

I would really appreciate any opinions on whether his behaviour sounds like ADHD or not. Please be completely honest with me!

At school according to his teacher, he has genuine trouble sitting still, has trouble taking instructions, he interrupts and is generally hyperactive. She told me this tends to be during the morning and he is a lot calmer in the afternoon. He is in the top set for all of his subjects but his work is very messy. He also has an incredibly loud voice. He is not naughty and has lots of good friends.

At home he is completely different. As an example after school last night he played with his lego for an hour, had his dinner drew me a picture and then decided to make a book. He is always busy but not once was there any hyperactivity, this is a very typical day and I find him very easy to deal with.

As a baby he was very contented, as a toddler he never had any tantrums, the problems have always been when he has had to go to any sort of structured organised group. We had the same sorts of reports back about his behaviour at pre-school and it was the same at any groups I took him to.

The only time he gets hyper at home is before we leave for school. He will be fine all moning and then 20 or so minutes before we go he gets hyper. I am (almost!) convinced his behaviour is stress related in that in situations he is comfotable with (i.e at home) he is absolutely fine but when he starts to get worked up inside about something he gets hyper.

His school want to send someone in to observe him for a morning in class and based on this they are going to make a decision as to whether he has adhd or not, this sounds like not nearly enough testing to decide something like this???

Please can anyone tell me if this appeas to be similar to anything they have experienced and if they have any opinions or not as to whether this sounds like adhd or not? I don't want my son to be misdiagnosed but equally I want what is best for him and we will support him whatever.

Hmm, my opinion is mixed. One thing for sure though, if someone has real concerns about your child, I think it's wise to have them evaluated, and evaluated again for a second opinion if you have to.

My first thought was....it's not happening in two settings, which would typically indicate that it's not ADHD. On the other hand, I'm curious, how educated you are on the subject (no offense intended)? There is so much that I knew about ADHD before my sons diagnosis, but so much that I didn't know that I completely missed the fact that I likely have it as well. So really really do your research before you close your mind to it. What you "hear" about ADHD, is generally NOT what ADHD is. Maybe there are signs that ARE there at home, but you haven't seen them because you don't know about them?

My other thought, was what many others said, and that they can react differently in school when the challenges and expectations of the school environment are different. The school definitely sees more of my sons hyperactivity then we do. I saw more of it when he was a toddler, but they see more of it now. When he's home, he's just busy, playing, riding bikes, taking things apart, putting things together. Always doing something, but not bouncing off the walls. At school, where he can't burn off energy and has to sit, they get to see his inability to sit still. He talks out a lot in class. Tends to shred erasers and break pencils out of boredom. His handwriting is a mess because he won't slow down. He also is very loud, as you said your son is.
So there are differences between home and school, although I have always seen the ADHD. It just presents differently in the two environments.

Another thing that I would probably research is sensory issues. Many children with sensory issues have issues with being loud (auditory processing issues), and don't do well in stimulating environments, like school. It's to much for them to process and they can respond with ADHD like symptoms.

Anyway, I agree with everyone that said to really do your research, and get the evaluation. Better safe then sorry. It may be something, and it may be nothing, but at least you will know. You don't want to have a child that has a disorder and goes undiagnosed. That rarely ends with good results. Just ask any undiagnosed adult on this forum:p .
Good luck!

I agree with the post to go visit the school. My son is really good at home and the school was describing this completely different person. I took a couple of random vacation days and sat in class with him for few hours and was amazed that he was a different person at school. My husband and I tried counseling for some parenting tips & tricks and now 6 months later we are doing the diagnosis route. If I had never seen his behavior at school I never would have believed them. Seeing his behavior really opened my eyes. After you view him at school you can always decide whether to go forward or not. Good luck!