ADHD

[juicychops]

ive read info on some websites but want to hear from someone with first hand experience. Has anyone's child been diagnosed with ADHD at a pre-school/early age? what signs in their behaviour where they showing?
Il be very grateful for any replies
thanks

My DS was diagonosed with ADHD just before his 7th Birthday. From what I have read it is unusual for there to be a diagnosis of ADHD much before this. I imagine that this is because many of the symptoms can be typical of the behaviour of many boisterous young children. However, I knew there was something 'not right' from about 4 years and in hindsight when DS was a toddler there were symptoms which I now realise were down to ADHD but did not have a clue at the time as he was my first. The first thing which caused a problem was biting which started at the age of 9 months. Not just the occasional bite but several times a day. Sometimes it was agressive and sometimes it was affectionate as he would sometimes bite us whilst giving us a cuddle. Also would bite himself sometimes if he was upset. This eventually stopped when he got to about three but he was still very physical with every one and very much into rough play. He is 9 now and has grown out of the rough stuff. Also is on medication which enables him to think before reacting to something. However, it was all very stressful at the time especially as we didn't know why he was doing it.

Thanks QB. My ds is only nearly 2 but there is definately something not right with his behaviour. Im waiting for his apointment for the pediatrition now

Wishing you a positive outcome to the appointment. The sooner anything amiss is diagnosed the better for you and your DS. I have found that the Special Needs board on here is very informative.

ok il have a browse through the archives too thanks for your help

i too have a really hyper ds1, some say he is EXTREMELY mischeivious or extremely stubborn, extremely short attention span, but very intelligent. I have been seeing consultatns for almost 15 months will no joy. When we go to appointments he is really well behaved because they have new toys he has never seen, or that we are in a new enviroment or sitting with new people. We are being seen locally and at GOS in london. But feel that we are not getting anywhere fast. He is only 3 next week.

i know how you feel liltykes. When i first went to see the doc ds was as good as gold and excited about the box of toys in the room so i didn't feel like i was believed at all. I felt like i was just exadurating ordinary behaviour of a 22 month old. But i kknow there are serious probs that arn't right. and as soon as i left the docs he started havin a big tantrum

Dito. I went to GOS last week and he was amazing. Walking back to the car park and in the car it all started. He was also assessed at his pre-school, the moment they left the school told me he went back to normal. The schools are telling me a mild version of what i see as they only ave him for a very short time and give him a lot of 1 to 1 attention, which any child would crave.

because my ds is only 22 months its probably going to be impossible for them to tell what it is so young. Im thinking about videoing his behaviour so that when i see the pediatrition he will see what i see if ds is being an angel. My mum has only just started to see what he is really like, but im a single mum and his dad doesn't see him at all so its only me who sees it and had to suffer it. Its very hard so im desperate for someone to help me sort it out!!

ps we had to go shopping after this assessment. He swept all the things on display off in one swoop jumping around on all the new buggies that were on display screaming and just general running about. I broke down in tears. A mother who was watching what was going on said my child has adhd too. She saw the same signs as what she went through. I told her of my 18 month battle and she said it can go on for a lot longer. He has been checked for allergies. His blood count came back saying something was low which indicated he may have intollorences but they are not helping me with this either. He only eats 4 things. Our pead put him on a strict diet and he did not eat for 10 days and became very ill. SO i need help but no-one wants to help us only if you have money as i have recently discovered at £50 per hour.

again dito. my partner is never hear so i am bringing my ds1 & dd2 on my own. My mum only saw it for the first time 2 months ago. She could not believe what she saw. It has made me very depressed over the last 18 months which does not help. When ever i get the video out he knows what it does and stops immediately. I have also left it to video in the corner of the room, but as you know he does not keep still and is never actually on film.

Thats just crap how only the rich can get anywhere in this world. its just a joke but not surprising. I really do sympathise and although my ds is only 22 months and probably no where near as hard work, he is only getting worse. The last few months he has got really bad with throwing and hitting and screaming. He hangs out his pushchair banging his head on stuff and he throws himself onto the pavement banging his head for no reason at all. Even if someone says hello to him and he is in a happy mood he will just suddenly flip and throw himself onto the floor followed by constant screaming for up to 2 hours. i cant reason with him at all and the amount of bruises he has all over his body from throwing himself against walls and on the pavement i feel like someone is going to report me!! Its getting me really down too and its ruling and ruining our lives. I feel like i dont want to leave the house some days as its so embarracing

Im sorry if my post is inappropriate but my DS, 2.11, behaves a lot like you are describing and I dont believe he is being anything other than a very energetic, inquisitive, boisterous and stroppy toddler.

He is terribly hard work and at times I wonder how I am going get through another day as he is so waring. Have you concidered the possibility that because he can 'behave' when he wants to, that he is just pushing your buttons?

I have been through exactly that, but at the time he was 18 months. We now have a milder version these days and not so often but when he is in the wrong mood or flips. Everyone get out of the way. Mys ds1 has only after a year stopped thowoing himself down in the middle of the road and it taking me 10 mins and alot of screaming drivers shouting at me, stares from people probably thinking how did she let him get into that state. I stayed in for 9 months and never went anywhere which was hard. I only have a 15 month gap between mine. HOMESTART really helped me. they gave me visits at home to help me get through the days it was the only way that i could have survived.

mad. I too have considered this. As i do not have any friends that have hard children it really could be right. But he has got something wrong with something. he is on Nystain and when i take him off it it gets worst so i have to put him back on it again. Which it could be intollerences which they still have not helped me with. I have read a lot of books and know that head banging and like symptoms etc is common.

mad, i have also thought about this. He could just have terrible twos really bad. But there is something that just isn't right and 'normal'. It sometimes is really like he's posessed!! my boyfriend has only been around my son a few times as he is normally in bed by the time he comes round but he also has 3 sons and he hasn't known behaviour like it

Its just clicked, juicychops, is this linked to your additives thread? . See what I mean about my DS, I have been there!

Yeah started his no additives diet 2 days ago to see if that makes any kind of difference. Its amazing what has all this crap in it!

I know, my diet has improved vastly too as a result of more label reading. ILs think I am mad though.