To think of ADHD?

[Ferrousfumerate1]

7yr old son is clever. He's been near the top for everything in class until recently. He went into the second group for something. I've noticed he makes lots of mistakes with homework - things that should be easy for him. I'm wondering if he has trouble concentrating. He goes from one thing to another anytime he's home, barely able to spend any time on things before moving on.

Not looking for reasons - he might not be as clever as I think! - but i do fee a bit gutted as he loves learning and doing well.

It is really precious to speak to teacher (but I don't want it sound like a pushy mum, irritated he's not in top set)?

And any strategies for him to improve attention span/focus?

I wasn't trying to pass judgement on those who do medicate, NOR am I trying to divert this to a discussion about medicating ADHD. I just wouldn't rush to it. I'm just trying to find strategies and work out what might be - IF THERE IS ANY - the problem.

I'm also not trying to stuff my 7 year old into an adults body and mind. I know he's a kid. I know he's 7.

To be honest, I think he is a little young to worry about mistakes - it’s likely he’s working too quickly. My son who is bright does that.
Although if he had a difficult pregnancy/birth/first year of life - it’s worth double checking his infant reflexes went dormant as if they don’t children can have behaviours similar to ADD and ASD and left/right brain Excercises can help. I’ve never used this company but I found their questionnaire helpful.
www.inpp.org.uk/child-screening-questionnaire/

Pengggwyn - sorry wasnt my intention to be harsh. Rushed my post! What I meant was why would you not consider it, it's a very narrow minded view to say you wouldn't medicate whatever that's all. Also slightly offensive to those who do lots of research into it and make a decision that it is necessary.

I think your bigger problem is the bit where you said your partner would not let you ‘label’ your child. A diagnosis shouldn’t be withheld by a parent where its use is correct and appropriate.

Year 3 curriculum is shit. It’s too much for children that age. Mines in Y3 age seven and not Coping. Partly due to dyslexia, partly because she finds the maths difficult, partly because she wants to do her own thing and partly because she’s under a paed for possible ADHD though without the hyperactivity.

It’s behaviour that was noticed in school from reception teachers up. I completely missed it because I was used to it.

Pengggwn - that's so well articulated. We were always open to any options when he was being diagnosed but I definitely worried about DS not being like himself anymore. Luckily it doesn't work like that.

Concentration doesn't normally appear to be a problem for me on the surface. It's hard to describe but nearest I can get is to say it can be like a weird form of multitasking in that I'm not concentrating fully on several things at once. Or several lines of thought at the same time. Obviously the pitfall is that I can't concentrate on several things I find challenging at the same time. As I can also have hyper focus at other times it doesn't look like I have an issue. Not to mention I'm an adult so have learnt how to manage it.

But I certainly remember throughout school that I rarely focused on what I was supposed to. Mostly in secondary it was because the work was too easy. But even in areas like music where I'm naturally crap, or at primary where I remember lots of interesting lessons and work given to me, I was always taking it in alongside whatever else I was also paying partial attention to. Or more often several something else's I was paying partial attention to.

I'm not sure how common this is with adhd, or even if it's just that it's something I do that isn't related to the adhd. But is it possible that up to now he's been doing the same thing, and because he wasn't tested by the work he's still been successful despite lack of full focus? But now it's at a level that requires his full concentration he can no longer get away with the inattentive learning habits.

Of course lots of dc who find the work easy can do the above with school work without having adhd, not to mention there could be numerous other causes.

You can look up the conner’s test and do it online. My son was diagnosed with adhd at 13. I had suspicions from a lot earlier, so no harm in making yourself knowledgeable. It manifested itself with my son much more as the work got harder.

How has this gone from ds making a few mistakes, not concentrating and chatting at school to adhd!!?? He's 7. Maybe he's been put up a group too soon. Chat to his teacher about this.

Some children dont fit into boxes. Have their own ideas. I don't see why people have to label this so quickly as adhd.