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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

9 year old with the attention span of a fish

3 replies

taraj1709 · 20/05/2011 10:33

Hi, i was just wondering if anyone could offer me any advice with regards to my son. He is 9 years old and doesnt hold a long attention span! He hardly pays attention, for example I asked him to get me a nappy for his younger brother and he came back with my partners wallet! He always puts his clothes on back to front and on more then one occasion has left the house with two different shoes on!! Is this a boy thing or something i should get me GP to look at him. Thanks

OP posts:

IndigoBell · 20/05/2011 10:38

Well, it could be Attention Deficit Disorder - Predominantly Inattentive.

Or it could be nothing :)

I would research ADHD-PI and see if you think it's possible.

And I would also start him on Omega Fish Oils. Sometimes they make a huge difference (if your child happens to be deficient in LCPs....)

Original poster

taraj1709 · 20/05/2011 11:31

Thanks for that, he definately fits 6/7 out of the nine symptoms. We started him on omega fish oils about 4 weeks ago so hopefully this might kick in soon. He was being seen by an ADHD specialist but she said he wasnt hyperactice (which he isnt, well unless someone has mistakingly offered him a glass of coke!) and that his attention span was ok, he was discharged from them about 18 months ago but i havent been convinced of this. Im going to take the info you gave me to his teacher to see if any of these symptoms are happening in school. once again thanks :)

OP posts:

IndigoBell · 20/05/2011 11:49

I can't believe the ADHD specialist said you have to be hyperactive to have ADHD.

Predominantly Inattentive frequently goes undiagnosed. For obvious reasons....

If you're game to try anything - I take my DD to reflexology (Chinese foot massage) once a week for 10 mins, and I'm convinced it helps her pay attention.......

If fish oils are going to help, you will notice a diff within 12 weeks. So after that length of time you could stop trying them. But a number of people yesterday were saying they noticed a diff at about 8 weeks......

And of course don't be surprised if school don't notice anything. Unfortunately that too is very common.........

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