How to suggest ADHD?

[celticgirl]

I and a small group of friends all think that the DS(6) of another friend is showing many of the signs of ADHD. The child is in Year 1 so we have all only known each other since last Sep. School are monitoring his behaviour but don't seem to be taking it terribly seriously in my view. The child is a nice kid with his heart in the right place but just seems incapable of behaving himself in anything like the way he ought to be able to. (Incessant shouting, thumping & kicking other kids in the classroom, unable to concentrate, unable to follow a conversation wothout constantly jumping off onto other topics etc - he is like this at home and on play dates at our houses too). His Mum is lovely, head well screwed on but I think is burying her head in the sand about just how bad it is. Should we mention the idea of ADHD to her or to school so that he can start getting the help he needs or should we all mind our own bloody business and let her and school work it out?

yes, just to state the obvious, of course you should leave it to her and the school! The teachers are well used to assessing whether a child has needs that need to be addressed and I simply can't see how it could help for you or your friends to mention it.

How do you know the school are monitoring his behaviour?

Because his Mum has told me.

I will keep my nose out then but my motive was genuine caring for this child and his Mum. I just think they need help rather than the child getting a label as a "naughty boy". Which he is getting. My child who is in his class tells me daily about the trouble he gets into. It's a very academic school and I am not sure that they "do" ADHD IYKWIM.

A teacher is unable to dx a child, let alone another parent. A child would be assessed thoroughly by GP, ed psych, devt paed, SALT, audiologist, OT etc etc (all these were involved with my sons ADHD dx and it took over a year to get). Many kids, especially boys as we well know, can display ADHD like symptoms. To have a child with 'real' ADHD is a different story. Do you know if his mum is at the end of her tether at home? Because if he was ADHD, she would be screaming for help too.

I'm really paranoid that this is about my DS!! Does the first name of the school have the same initial as the first name of the boy? Where do you live?

if it were me, I'd say you should say something to the Mum.

Beautiful why do you think it is you?

My DS1 is a handful at school...

Well, the original op hasn't replied ... so maybe no news in good news, ah? FWIW, I have a ds aged 6 dx ADHD, so sympathise in all areas.