Advice needed - does my child have ADHD?

blessings3

lil_me wrote:

Unfortunately labels are how he would get any help he needs both at school and home.

A referal to CAHMS/Clinical Psychologist would probably be the best route.

I would take the route of diagnosis before trying any interventions other than healthy eating/supplements.

Totally agree the DR Christopher green book on ADHD is one of the best that I have read - debunks alot of the diet/parenting myths - Takes alot of the guilyt away

janb5

Originally Posted by 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 don


The other thing that may be useful is to get him up at the same time each day and not allow any `naps` in the late afternoon. If he is going to bed at 10pm and maybe not settling immediately, then alter his bedtime by 1/2 hour at a time. That is 9.30 and then 9.00 etc. Hopefully his body clock will then adjust to amore reasonable time which will have a knock on affect on his concentration levels.

I do think you need to have your son seen. Even if he is displaying similar symptoms to children with other difficulties, it isnt appropriate for anyone to`diagnose` this without professional advice. HTH.

getcarter

Have you got a routine for calming him down before bed, walm bath, warm milk, reading etc. Children like routines, esp if he is on the Autism spectrum.

One thing in any appointments, try to think of what he is at is worst and tell them, I even now keep trying to gloss over things and make them my fault rather than part of his problems, it's takes ages before the psychiatrist can relax me enough to tell the truth each time!

Good luck and once you have a diagnosis you can work out the best way to handle him.

MegS

I have done all of the above with regard to bedtime routines but DS will still not go to sleep much before 9pm. He has a playroom so all his toys are in another room but he has a really good imagination. Unfortunately you can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink it. Trouble is DS needs his sleep and doesn't like getting up in the morning especially on school days. I really don't know what else I can do to get him to sleep any earlier. I have tried putting him in bed by 6.30pm or 7pm to allow for the time he spends messing about but he still won't fall asleep before 9pm. I can cope with all the other lack of attention stuff but I have a hard time when he's being aggressive to the other kids. Until he gets assessed though the school really aren't going to do that much. I have read the Christopher Green book about ADHD and its brilliant s I can thoroughly recommend it Snaggles. By the way have the school suggested referring him at all? I know down here they get quite excited about a special needs kid as they are guaranteed an extra classroom assistant/teacher by the local authority.

David_Harrison_2

One ore thing which a few parents have reported important. How much sport / exercise does your child get? Some kids just have so much energy they need to burn off before they can settle. Trampolines, cycling, even going for a run can all help. It all needs to be completed a few hours before bedtime or they will still have the adrenalin running through their body. This time of year long walks in the fresh air can be particularly soporific, even better if they are by the sea (all that ozone apparently). This is all obviously easier to do at weekends time wise, but if you find it does help, you may find you need to build some exercise time into the school days when there is no sport at school.

ailuro2

I agree, keeping them busy could help him get tired enough to get into a bedtime routine.

No one is suggesting 6 or 7pm, but asleep for 9pm would be a great achievement.

suzysue_2

Snaggles, Just posting to give you a bit of hope, my son was sent to child psyches and went through all of his primary years and some secondary years being puzzled over. He was never disruptive but shared many attributes with adhd and had some Autistic tendencies. Very odd about the toothpaste, he also, still can not abide his nails being cut. He is now 19 in full time employment for an electronics comp. drives his own car and has a lovely girlfriend (still puzzled by that one!) I went through years of worry and to be honest I do still worry about certain aspects of his life.
Do whatever you feel is right and Good luck, I'm sure he'll turn out just fine.

blessings3

:eek:

David_Harrison wrote:

It would be a good idea to get him checked by a cranial osteopath, or craniosacral therapist. Any induced birth can be traumatic as the contractions are so strong.

NO:mad: get a specialist pediatrition trained in diagnostic tequniques to check him out - get the school to refer him to an educational psychologist - get an expert opnion in person who has physically seen your son

Osteopahaths are usually very competant and well trained individuals who would not diagnose a mediacal/neauralogical condition in a child as they would think this well ouside thier sphere of skills and remit, they would however be very willing to help treat symptoms

Cranial or any other type Oseopathy cannot cure ADHD

As a family we use a wide range of alernative therapies for all our children - Alexander tequnique has been usefull to us all (ex ballet dancer and horse rider posture!) - we do yoga together 3 times a week and we are generally very health concious

BUt ADHD is not caused by poor sleep routine - ADHD causes poor sleep routine (we have alarm on all our doors as ds1 get up very early! and is inclined to wander)- and to be honest after the 2nd post suggestioning this it became patronising prattle - poor eye contact as a baby is not caused by an infant being a bit sleepy and as it has continued to quite a marked degree the OP has very justifiable concerns

ADHD is not caused by birth traumer - it is a neuralogial condition with no one proven cause but does apear to have gentetic links - I have dyslexia and am Hyperactive and a risk taking entrepenure type - My couisn who defianly had ADHD as a child (40 years ago not heard of) is now a solicitor with a very large firm but jumps out of planes for recreation.

ADHD can have many positive benefits if channelled correctly the focus and determination of a spirited child can be phenominal and in boys is very often accociated with enhance maytmatical skills (extream being idiot savent austisum!

BUt you need to know what you are dealing with - the school need guidance as he will soon move into the much more accademically challenging Key stage 2 where children are expected to sit down and concentrate for extended perids of time. If you have adiagnosis then statmenting and possible support will be easier. NOT easy as SNE is always complex beaucratic and teeth pulling but it will be easier if they have a box to tick!

Sorry to go of on one but I have spent 8 years reading about ADHD - fighting with school with and for various SENCO's and listing to patronising drivel from various friends about have I tried chinease/tibetan/hungarian bark rub ob my son as he is yet again excluded from school

Snaggles

Thank you all for taking the time and trouble to reply, and I will be biting the bullet and taking him to the doctors to discuss his symptoms. Just a quick bit of extra advice if you don't mind - I have been wondering about how to handle the initial appointment. I'm a bit worried that I will just be sitting there in front of my son and basically listing his faults. My thoughts were maybe to briefly put my concerns in writing and give this to the doctor (something along the lines of my original post), and then take it from there. I'm not wanting to hide anything from my son, just don't really want to break his little heart. Obviously then I would answer any questions the doctor had. Do you think this would be acceptable, or would it be better for me to discuss the behaviour with my son listening. If so, would it be better for me to speak to my son beforehand, and explain why we are going to talk to the doctors, and warn him that we will need to tell the doctor some things he might not like me saying.

janb5

I think your initial idea of writing down your concerns is a good one otherwise you may be so overcome by not wishing to`hurt` your son`s feelings that it would prevent you from painting the full picture. Often there is a play area at medicals so your son can play and give you an opportunity to discuss your day to day concerns.

It would be nice to say to your son that you are going to the session so M & D can chat to the doctor for some advice and that you will be with him throughout the session.