Help Need some advice, he's only 6yrs old

[ltworf]

My little guy is having so much trouble handling school. according to the teachers he has trouble transitioning and breaks out into temper tantrums. We haven't had him diagnosed yet with ADHD the school is suppose to do that this year, if he doesn't get kick out first .

Both my oldest son and I have ADD. So I'm confident he has ADHD but neither I nor the oldest had the hyper that he is exhibiting and my wife and I are exhausted from trying different things that does not resort to medicating him. We think he is too young for medication and we are afraid it will take away his amazing creativity he displays.

All suggestions welcome please

[zette93]

Just wanted to reassure you that if you reach a point where you are ready to try medication, it does not have to be at the expense of his creativity. Medication has not impaired my son's creativity one bit. If anything it has enhanced his ability to express it because now he can focus and sit still long enough to draw a picture, learn to write a story, or create a Lego movie. All the zany ideas are still there and I laugh and laugh at the things he comes up with.

[sarahsweets]

The school really isnt equipped to diagnose adhd. They can make suggestions or theories but the only one capable of diagnosing would be a doctor or possibly a psycologist. Either way once you get an outside diagnosis and begin to consider meds, you would need a doctor for that.

[LynneC]

Hi and welcome.
Have a look in Dizfriz's Corner, where you will find some wonderful essays about ADHD and coping with ADHD behavior.

You may want to print some of the info for his teachers; they could be incorporating behavior management strategies in the classroom that might help your son.
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60130

In the meantime, there are a few things that you could try, to help improve his symptoms.

Fish oil given on a daily basis may help, and also some children respond well to a diet free of food colorings and preservatives. (some do, some don't)

Does he have issues with sleep? (not getting enough?)

[JANAE]

My son is only 4.5. He will be five in January. He was evaluated by the school district Psychologist and she recommended he see a Neurologist or Pediatrician for ADHD. She did NOT diagnose him she just made the suggestion. We took her advice and he did see a Neuro and he was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD which is a serious behavior disorder. The Neuro strongly suggested a NON STIMULANT ADHD med that will help calm him and control some of his freq outbursts. We had all the problems at Day Care. They were calling me to come pick him up almost every week. The Day Care center was actually the one who put us in touch with a community based program Called Child Find. Child Find set up the apt with the school district Psychologist and got the whole ball rolling. The school district Psychologist referred him to a special ESE program. He is in Pre k and he has 2 teachers (both have masters degrees in early childhood educ) to only four kids. (including my son) We did decide to medicate, and it has helped soooo much!! Hope this was helpful

[JANAE]

I forgot to add My son also has an IEP ( individual educ plan). You get it through the school and it protects your child. Please look into it. I think its also called a 504 in some areas.