has my ds got ADHD?? please help!

[lou100]

Hi, i am becoming increasingly concerned about my ds (2.4) and his behaviour and would just like some advice. He has always been a very active child and easily distracted. His behaviour over the last 6 months has really made me think he is more than just a normal 2 year old. I know that ADHD seems to be the 'in' thing at the moment but I just can't help think that he may have it. He can't seem to sit still, he is always climbing on furniture, and has no sense of danger. When me and dp discipline him (2 minutes time out in his room) he says sorry and then 5 minutes later he repeats the bad behaviour. I initially thought he was simply demanding attention but after observing him for the last few weeks I have noticed that even when me or dp are playing with him, he can't concentrate and will run away to play with something else. Once he's bored of that he will then go on to something else and it's like this pretty much all day.
When he plays with his 2 cousins, who are of a similar age, he will lash out at them for no reason or will start to scream to get a reaction out of them. He is also quite clumsy and is forever falling over or bumping into things. Don't get me wrong he is a lovely boy and is very very loving but I find that by the end of the day I am drained. I am a student teacher so he is back in nursery next week and I am worried about how he interacts with the other children. Do you think i should ask their advice?
My Mum said none of us (i am one of 4) were like this and she thinks his behaviour isnt anything like she has seen. I am making an appointment with GP next week but just wanted to see if these characteristics are normal? Is he too young to be showing symptoms of ADHD or is he just simply a very active child who needs to be occupied all the time!? sorry for all the questions just want to see what others think. thanks

Your ds sounds exactly like mine was at that age and this crossed my mind. He never concentrated, did wildly dangerous things at the park etc, would never sit still for story or snack at toddler group, snatched from other children, had no idea it was his behaviour that had caused a timeout (gave up on this and did very firm 'no' followed by no attention}. His language also seemed very bad compared to older dd's at that age. He is now 3.2yr and it is only in past couple of months he has changed. Will now play with the same toy for a period time, loves sitting down for stories, plays imaginative role playing games, much more aware of dangers like cars. Are you one of 4 girls. Just wondering because I am sure this is quite typical boy behaviour. Don't really like these labels but seems to be true. I think he seems normal but if you are worried why don't you ask in special needs section the early symptoms of adhd.

My ds (2.5) is very similiar. As Lizalu said I think it is typical 'boy' behaviour. My ds is very bright and if I had time to spend 100% of the time doing activities with him he is as good as gold but as soon as he gets bored he literally creates havoc!

I've got 2 older brothers and a younger sister and I think one of my brothers was quite naughty as a child but my mum says ds is 'naughty' in a different way to him. In other words I don't think he would lash out at her and other children the way ds does. I can't understand why he does this though because dp and i have never smacked him, just do the 'timing out' as discipline.

I don't know where it comes from but ds has just bitten me tonight. It wasn't in anger but no idea where it could have come from. I think lashing out is a natural way of expressing frustration but we obviously have to learn to control it.

lou > your ds sounds a LOT like mine. mine is 2.5 years old and is ALWAYS on the go and needs to be doing something and flits from thing to thing quickly... i try not to worry too much about it at this point in time, because as you said, its the 'in' thing.

By all means speak with your GP about your concerns. It does sound like a typical boy going through the terrible two's but if you as a mother have had niggling doubts you should trust your instincts and ask....you wont feel anything but pleasure if your wrong will you.

I doubt the GP will give you anything but an understanding chat and possibly reffer you to maybe CAMHS or a community pead but ADHD is not diagnosed until the age of about 5 at least.

speak with the nursary and see how they find him...they may be able to tell you he is the same as his peers and put your mind at ease.

i had a chat with my HV this morning and she told me that it just sounds like my ds has a lot of energy.. nothing to be worried about at this point. and that a GP probably wouldnt do much at this age anyway other than talk to me and dh and keep record of our concerns...

i got a wonderful book off amazon called "Raising your spirited child" by: mary sheedy kurcinka. its a good read and has helped even the few pages i've read so far... i think some child who are 'spirited' are often mis-labelled as ADD or ADHD (and some aren't, of course...)

Seeing GP on friday so will have a chat. She has 2 young boys so will understand how active they can be. Will look for that book americantrish, feel like i need to read something to get some more information but not anything specifically on ADHD. He has actually been a bit better this week, but perhaps this is because I've made a real effort to make sure he goes out for a good run around every day. He definitely loves being outside, especially kicking a ball around.

good luck with the GP lou!

i've found when i get out more with my son, the more it helps us both, especially on really frustrating days - we go to the park, kick the ball around and we get to yell a lot... (we look mad, really!)

lou - I had similar concerns about ds at that age. Now he is 4 he is still a lively little boy, but I know there are no 'problems'. It really does sound like normally boyish behaviour to me.