I have a son who is in the first grade. We have been struggling since the beginning of the school year. The school has finally started screening processes to determine if he needs to be tested for ADD/ADHD. He is unable to finish his homework w/o someone looking over his shoulder, he can get really frustrated when we try to help him with his school work. His teacher has told us he will get up in the middle of class and walk around, crawl under desk, etc. When he gets in trouble for things he knows is wrong, he doesn't know why he is doing it. If you watch him while he is standing still, he is consitently (spelling) moving his fingers into weird positions. I am frustrated that I don't know what else to do for him and the we don't have the money to have him tested (if needed). We just completed our part of the Conner's scale and hopefully the teacher has completed her part. I guess I am just wondering if this is typical 6 year old behavior or is there definetly something else going on. Any advice would be nice. Thanks so much. :)

I know how you feel the not knowing is getting to me too. Just today th dr gave me paper work for my son's teacher and I to fill out. My frustration is that the questionare is geared to a much older child. He is 5 but has a late birthday so he didn't go to kindergarten this year but was in a special needs pre school program because he has no idea of personal saftey. I think that the school may have to pay to have him tested. Good luck

i appreciate the reply. o got a call today from his school (when do i NOT get a call from them) telling me that austin is not listening, following directions, talking about his privates to other children, can't seem to stay away from the trouble makers, he doesn't complete his school work. i called his teacher and told her i'm not sure what else they want us to do. we are going through the screening process now and i have to wait to hear back from that before i can do anything with the doctors and all. i was reading other posts on here and am starting to wonder what is the answer. is my child's future going to be one where he is considered the "bully", no one wants to be his friend and has no regards to life? i am frustrated that as a parent i feel that i am limited to what i can do for him. i just want to know, how do i know that my child is ADHD or ADD or just depressed? what do i need to look for? is there something that i can try in regards to helping him focus on school or even stuff at home? i feel that when i do get calls from the school it is like my child is horrible and they don' want to deal with him. austin is a sweet child and very bright. i don't know. i am currently a part time night college student and because his school work has been slowing going down hill, i am considering withdrawing from school for some time so i can try and help him.

twinklegura, I just found out yesterday that my daughter is ADD. I did not waite for the school I did it all my self. Unfortunately it cost me $600 and I had to borrow that from my mom and dad but they were glad to do it, because it is there grand baby. I would suggest not waiting if you can and do it your self. I went on the adda website and found a doctor that specialized in children I had to waite 2 weeks to get in but it was worth it. Because now I feel positive. I explained everything to my 7 year old in her terms and she is excited. "Mom I just want to do good in school" she said. And all I could say was you do good now baby and I am proud of you. I wish you all of the luck in the world and hope that everything turns out for the better.
Robin

You don't mention the state you live in, but all school districts have Special Ed departments. You should contact them, if you haven't already. If they don't have someone available to test they may be able to refer you to someone who may do it at little or no cost to you. There may be mental health clinics in your area that specialize in ADHD/ADD related problems. Certainly don't withdraw him from school, that is where there are the most resources to help you at minimal cost.

I also have a son named Austin that is 7 years old. He was diagnosed in pre-school with mild ADHD. I thought it was typical behavior for a 3 1/2 year old so we chose to treat with behavior modification. Praising good behavior mostly. He had an index card with the days of the week on it with 3 faces on it, smiley, so-so and sad. The teacher would circle one and if necessary, write a note on the back. We would talk about what rating he got for the day and why. Then we would talk about how he could make things better the next day. If he had a week with all smilies he would get to choose his "prize". Sometimes a lunch date with me (with 3 kids it makes them feel special if you spend time with just one at time), a movie, a new toy. Whatever he chose at the beginning of the week.


That worked for Pre-K and kindergarten. But when he started first grade he was expected to sit still for much longer periods of time. It became painfully clear he was just not capable of doing this, and we sought out the right medication for him. He would play with his hands, squirm in his seat and talk to anyone around him. We too heard from his teacher on a daily basis. It took 5 months and 3 different medication and dosages to find just the right one for him. The change has been incredible. He did have a lot of issues with self-control, fidgeting and impulsivety. Now he is able to sit still long enough to concentrate on school-work and seems to be able to understand how his actions affect others.

Hang in there, twinklegura, it takes a while to find what’s right for your child, but the payoff is so worth it. And keep checking this forum, it is a wealth of information from people like you and me, and their experiences dealing with ADD/ADHD every day.

I figured out that my son had ad/hd when he was 3 no one belived me until his teacher in the Delta Headstart program started having the same problems that I had even then we could not get him tested until he turned 5. My state's medicade program paid for the test which was $1500. The test took over 3 hrs with 3 different Drs. They told me what I already knew, but I wasn't crazy. Oh by the way did I say that my son was doing exactly what your's is. See if you qualify for state assistance, and if his behavior is affecting his learning abilities the school should have to have him tested. I don't know the law but you should check.

Twinklegura, your description of your son is exactly the way my son was in first grade. We took him to a pediatrician who the school recommended so it was not expensive. Plus he displayed such hyperactivity right there in the doctor's office and with the notes from his school that was enough for us to go ahead and start him on meds. Our doctor is fantastic and is not a $1,000 specialist, just a regular pediatrician who know his stuff. In addition, he will listen any time I call and answer all questions any time.

My son is now about to finish second grade and has had a much better year. His friendships grew and his grades were great. He still gets in trouble but he is not up moving all over the classroom. He can sit and focus when he needs to do it.

Maybe you can ask your school counselor if they have a doctor they can recommend.