Advice needed - does my child have ADHD?

Snaggles

Hello, I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. I'm a bit worried about some of the behaviour my son is displaying. It might just be his age, or maybe I'm just a rubbish parent, but I'm concerned there might be more to it than that, and that he may have ADHD. He's a very lovely little boy, but definitely a handful. His symptoms are:

He can't get to sleep at night (bedtime is 7.30pm, goes to sleep at around 10pm - just wont stay in bed, uses any excuse under the sun to get back up).

He wets the bed (I know that's not so unusual at age 6, but thought I would mention it).

He can be very distant - sometimes you can talk to him and it's like he's not 'there' - he says he's listening, and can often repeat what you've said to him, but I just get the impression he's off in his own little world.

He's very bright but struggles to concentrate at school, is easily distracted, and also sometimes distracts his classmates. His teacher also feels he is a very able boy, but for some reason he is unable to focus. This inability to concentrate/focus seems to be the cause of most of his other behavioural problems.

But on the other hand, he sometimes gets SO engrossed in something (like playing/watching TV) that you just can't get through to him at all.

As a baby he found it very difficult to make eye contact with anyone - I used to just put this down to him thinking it was funny to make us work hard for his attention, but now I'm wondering if this was the start of things.

Sometimes he is very naughty for no reason - just out of the blue - and there's no stopping him, he just goes crazy. When I ask him afterwards he will say how sorry he is, and says he knew he was being naughty but couldn't help it.

He gets extremely angry - more than just a bit of a paddy - he screams and lashes out. He is quite often violent towards his Dad but very rarely towards me (he's closer to me than his Dad, although they do have a good relationship and love each other to bits).

He can't seem to play nicely with other children - I have spent a great deal of time getting him to share toys etc, but still he can't seem to connect to other children very well, and seems to be a bit of a loner sometimes.

I'm conscious that I've made him sound horrendous, but underneath it all I can see that there is a lovely, caring, sensitive, intelligent boy, but sometimes I feel like I can't get through to him. Individually we can deal with all his behavioural problems, and we do tackle them as best we can, but I feel like there may be more to it than him just being a naughty boy.

I am going to take him to the doctors (his teacher has also suggested this when I discussed my concerns with her, as she has noticed he has a few problems behaving how she would expect from a boy of his age, with his level of intelligence), but I would appreciate comments and advice.

Sorry it's a bit long, and thanks if you have made it this far!

Edited to add - he has a healthy diet with lots of fruit and veg, and minimal amounts of colourings/sugar/processed foods - although mealtimes are a bit of a battleground too because he can't concentrate on eating.

Ted_Hutchinson

Parentline Plus: home

ADHD BEST TREATMENTS

This recent adelaide adhd trial used Equazen EyeQ The daily doses of the fatty acids used in the trial were: EPA, 558 mg; DHA, 174 mg, GLA, 60 mg. These were given over three doses in a day. But there are other cheaper omega 3 sources which are cheaper which would achieve the same effect. Well worth starting with as you work your way through the system.

You could of course ensure 2 portions of oily fish a week. A complete tin of Sardines in tomato sauce contains around 2g of omega 3. Salmon, herring, mackeral are other good sources.

Snaggles

Thanks for the link - I'm wading through the various internet sites at the moment but what I've found is.....inconclusive! I just want to help him be the amazing little boy I know he can be.

elljay20

the fact he doesn't sleep till ten is very likely affecting his behaviour. when my dd's behaviour was deteriorating i posted on here about sleep times and put her to bed at 7.30. she only has a few toys in her room and her behaviour is soooo much better for her having some sleep. i would really be looking at working on getting him to sleep earlier before panicking. to me (and i'm not a doctor) a lot of the behaviour you describe could possibly be related to the fact that he's too tired. try not to worry, easier said than done

blessings3

Hi Snaggles

My son has ADHD - diagnosed 2 years ago he is now 8 he is statmented at school and has lots of 121 support from his own special needs teacher.

Your son has classic ADHD symptoms and you really need to see your GP and ask for a referal to a specialist as it needs an expert diagnosis which will include very detailed questionairs for you and your sons school

Eye q etc can help but there are also spesific behaviour tequniques and oyther treatments which can as you say help you child reach his full potential

We were very reluctant to get ''Harry'' labeled but have found long term it is the only way to get the help that he needs - whilst your son sound a moderate case the anger and outbursts do need to be addressed

Best Wishes and if you do feal the need to chat or discuss anyting PM me

Caroline

David_Harrison_2

Hi,

I'm an Osteopath and CranioSacral Therapist with a particular interest in working with babies and children. I agree that EyeQ would be excellent for your son. Do not try to save money by just buying cheap Omega3 capsules as the ratio of the oils is important. Start on a high dose and then reduce it.

Make sure he is getting plenty of fluids, preferably water or water with a little fruit juice to give it flavour.

Avoid sugary foods, especialy fizzy drinks, and particularly colas.

Avoid computer games, especially in the two hours before he goes to bed as these can over-stimulate his brain.

A regular night time routine helps: bath time, quiet reading in dimly-lit room, gradually winding down to sleep time, and letting him know that if he gets up he has to go straight back to bed not come downstairs or be played with.

Do you mind me asking what his birth was like? How long from first contractions to delivery? Any asistance needed? Which was around his head was (looking towards your bottom or the other way)? (Sorry, very personal I know but important - if you'd rather send the info as a private message I (and everyone else on this site) would understand.) Do you know his birth apga scores? Any significant health issues before or since birth, or for you or his Dad? Strange question, but does he have any problems with toothpaste?

He might benefit from CranioSacral Therapy, but I'd know better if I had answers to the above questions.. What area do you live and I will see if I can find someone who could check him out for you?

David Harrison

Elliesmum

I have worked with many ADHD teenagers and all I can say is take your concerns to your GP. As blessings3 has pointed out it is a difficult decision for parents to take as this can "label" a child. But if there is something wrong it is better to get to grips with it now rather than later!

You are not a rubbish parent - please do not blame yourself - get some professional advice and take it from there.

HTH's

EM x

michellenealemum

hi,i agree with the above post go to your doctors or visit the health visitor explain all the problems,perhaps you could keep a written record over the weekend and then take this to doc/health visitor.It is always better to air on the side of caution and let the proffessionals have a look.
It might just be continous lack of sleep and the problems are building but equally it may be something more.Good luck hope it all turns out well in the end.

Calm-Seas

My Daughter has Tourette Syndrome ,Adhd, OCD =obsesive Conpulsive disoder etc etc etc.
You have mentioned that has a baby there was no eye contact does your son still find eye contact difficult? Which is often found in Autisium and if a child has Adhd they can also have some of the associated behavours all the above and more all fall in to the Autism spectrum line. Sorry hope I am not confusing you Believe me it is a mine field once you start looking into it. Your first port of call as you say is your G.P who can then get you an appointment with a professional dealing in that area. School on the other hand is an whole new ball game and you must fight to get him on the special needs register if that is what is needed only then will he get the one to one that he may need.
Let us know how you go on Good luck
And remember you are never alone Dont ever think it is something you have or have not done it is a chemical in the brain that is misfunctioning not you :-)

redballoon_2

can not offer much advice on this other than i would take a close look at his diet, make sure that he isnt eating too much sugary foods and e numbers.
good luck, i am sure it will work out fine.

Mrs_Optimist

I too have had similer thoughts about DS who has just turned 5. He is no good in groups and works much better on his own because he is easily distracted. He can flare up and become violent (never with me or DH but his 8 year old sister, who likes to antagonise him to get a reaction) and we had to change schools because his last teacher was just so accusing, that we were bad parents etc. He has been at his new school since September and his teacher has also noticed some strange behaviour, like going to the toilet and hiding, laying about on the floor when he is suppsed to be sitting still etc. DS also prefers his own company to playing with other children. he has trouble getting to sleep at night but never comes out of his room. he has bursts of energy when he can literally run around a field repreatedly for a very long period of time - he never gets out of breath. he can concentrate on certain things, eg puzzles, if he is interested in them but his reading is not as good as it should be. He too has a healthy diet but I have concerns. We have arranged with the school to have a behaviour therapist monitor him next week for a period of time, in the classroom and ring me when she has seen him with her thoughts. What you should remember though is that you are not a bad parent, if you were you wuld not even be concerned about his problems - you wouldn't have even picked up on it! We have decided that we are not going to label DS, but ensure that whatever help he needs, either at school or at home, he will get. Liaise with your sons teacher and see what help and assistance the school can provide. Good Luck