Possible inattentive ADD?

[Babynamehelp626]

I think my daughter may have inattentive ADD. If anyone has a child with this as a confirmed diagnosis I'd love to hear about it to see if the signs match.
She is 5 (nearly 6) so it can be hard to know what is just being a 5 yr old.

The situation isn't helped by the fact she has some other things going on. Her mobility is poor with a weak core so she can get around but is slower and less agile than other kids. She also has poor vision and a bit of a lazy eye which she is currently doing eye patch treatment for.

Anyway, the suspected ADD - she is super easily distracted. She cannot focus on anything at all if the tv is on even if its something she isn't interested in. At school the teacher noted she can work while the teacher sits with her but when she goes to another student she doesnt engage with the work at all abd hust daydreams or scribbles. In general anything she tries to do she just seems to get distracted. She also daydreams a lot.
She constantly loses things she just had. When things aren't as she expects she has an emotional outburst and cries even if it is something really minor (like Daddy will the bedtime story instead of Mommy).

I don't think it is ADHD because I wouldn't describe her as running on a motor. She isn't particularly hyperactive. She can be fairly still for a while. For things she finds boring (like eating dinner) she will squirm a lot though. She does sometimes blurt things out randomly and talks over us. Though she isn't actually a huge chatterbox most the time. She does struggle to play quietly, when her baby brother is asleep in same room we constantly have to remind her to be quiet.

Anyway interested in thoughts or what else could be going on? Any tips to get her to engage at school?

The senco at school spoke to us about her recently as worried about her and thinks there is something but isn't sure what. She thinks not autism and I think she isn't convinced by inattentive ADD either - but then what is it? Just a daydreamer with no concentration?

I think she is quite young to seek a diagnosis BUT I would agree that pretty much everything you’ve said points to something. My DS was quite similar to what you’ve described at this age (though we would also describe his brain / thoughts at running at a million miles per hour). He was diagnosed with ADHD (combined type) and Autism in Y5.
My suggestion would be to continue discussion with the SENCo about what strategies could be employed to help her at school; also do reading yourself about what you could be doing at home (assume she does have ADHD); and maybe seek an Educational Psychologist assessment, if the school thinks it is worth doing at this stage, or maybe an Occupational Therapist assessment (I wonder if she has Hypermobility - it’s common with some ND conditions)

Following this post with interest as this is very similar to my DS. School raised issues initially with motor skills, handwriting etc and we finally had an assessment with an ED psych. He had 2 sessions with an OT who diagnosed hyper mobility, 'lazy eye' is also linked to this and gastro issues. Also hyper mobility can be linked to ADD/ADHD etc.

Sadly after 2 sessions COVID hit so we did not get any further assessments. DS is now in high school and we are again waiting an assessment to query ADHD/ADD. It's a very long process

@Mamofteenager gastro issues also very common!
Hope things manage to move on for you and DS - it’s so stressful how long it takes

@TeaandHobnobs thank you so much.

It could possibly be ADHD. It’s now referred to as ADHD and then two subtypes - inattentive and hyperactive. In girls the hyperactivity is usually in the mind. Rapid thoughts, jumping from one topic or activity to the next.

I have 1 DS with ADHD- inattentive subgroup so ADD and a DD with ASC and possibly ADD. What you describe sounds like elements of both. My DD has had meltdowns from . 2 years old and were often minor things to us but a big deal to her. E.g at nursery transition between inside and outside.In school’ a model pupil’ but completely switched off to subjects she didn’t like. Just didn’t go in. Struggles with when to join conversations sometimes jumping in with random comments. Hyper mobility too. My DS on the other hand always distracted, looses things, disorganised and anxious.
I would push for an appointment with a Special Advisory teacher, usually through Local Authority and school, and then potentially an Ed Psychologist.( If you have the money I’d do this privately as takes weeks rather than years) With the best will in the world the majority of school SEN Coordinators are often woefully under qualified as are mumsnetters ! ( No proper training and often a teacher first) Their strategies won’t necessarily work for a ND child as they are just wired differently. Their ‘something’ going on isn’t going to help your child get the support they need. There are so many different nuances in diagnosing ND, with combinations common, and some maybe completely neurotypical behaviours for the age, so you want to get expert advice. Keep pushing for answers and the right support.

It would be ADHD- inattentive subtype you'd be looking at. Bear in mind that impulsive behaviour falls under the hyperactive subtype and hyperactivity often manifests as excessive talking in girls.

Honestly, if you think she needs help, I'd go private- you're looking at years on an NHS waitlist.

Thanks for replies
She does have some hypermobility - she's always W sitting (we remind her not to when we spot it as advised by physio but it's her default sit on the floor position), it's mainly feet turning inwards a lot but she can't bend elbows back or anything.
We have also had gastro issues when we were toilet training which took ages and was way too late (was worried in lead up to starting school as we were still getting accidents frequently) and we had a lot of problems with withholding.... now I think she is ok and at least poops most days which is better than before!

The senco said she would get occupational therapist assessment but I'm not sure what else will happen at this stage. Yes saying it's something but she doesn't know what isn't very helpful!