How to find out if my daughter has ADHD

[Randomname85]

My daughter is just turns 3 - I have suspected for a long time she has ADHD, now more than ever. She has always needed very little sleep, she still wakes every 2 hours in the night. Often she won’t even entertain going to sleep until around 10.30/11 at night - she’s then a mess in the morning but refuses to nap. I had to pick her up from nursery yesterday as they were concerned she was ill but in reality she was just exhausted as she didn’t sleep until 11pm the night before and wouldn’t nap the next day.

She doesn’t listen to general requests like tidying up etc. Often you have to say her name many many times before she responds. She is always ON - very rarely relaxed. She talks for talkings sake even if she isn’t actually talking to anyone. She doesn’t like to play independently ever, she has to be kept busy. She also doesn’t like to stick to one thing for very long. I have read all of these things are signs. My husband has always thought he might have ADHD but is undiagnosed.

What would next steps be? Mention it to her nursery? Speak to a GP?

Thanks in advance

Sorry for something so utterly obvious but have you tried cutting out sugar and all screens? Assuming you have done as this is a first step for most.

Beyond that going through same to try and get a diagnosis so not much i can do to help just empathise...

I haven’t cut out all screens no, sounds totally awful but I’m also pregnant and constantly exhausted and because she needs so much attention/doesn’t play independently I do rely on screen time sometime during the day just for respite. Perhaps I need to do no screen time a couple of hours before bed so once she gets back from nursery just start wind down the minute she gets in (she usually watches CBeebies bedtime hour )

She has hidden sugars like orange juice etc which I have been trying to cut out (watering down) but perhaps I need to stop being a pansy and just tell her it’s water or nothing.

Thanks for your advice I’ll take these steps next before I do anything else. Good like with your diagnosis too!

It's hard when they are full on, especially if you are PG too OP. If you do think there is something going on, I would talk to the Nursery to see what their thoughts are then go to the GP and ask for a referral.

I wouldn't worry about screen time, my DD is very similar and that's the only 'down time' she gets.

Have you spoken with nursery? ADHD isn't diagnosed until at least 6, so not much will change right now. It's also only diagnosed if seen across settings (home and school). If you get stuck with nursery, have a word with the health visitor as it may be other developmental things mixed in too making it look like ADHD.

This may sound obvious and I don't mean to patronise, but is she getting outside and burning off enough energy?

I have a child with adhd and he's asleep for 8 and will sleep for 10 hours plus, no problem. But I HAVE to get him out in the fresh air and burning off the energy whatever the weather.

Even with a diagnosis, your choice will basically be whether to medicate or not medicate. And that in itself is a huge decision, particularly for such a young child. Psychiatrists will not medicate a child so young so it's really a case of trying to find methods, routines and activities to accommodate her energy at this age.

I've 3 children and I know exactly how tiring it can be.