ADHD?

[user5968328]

I have always felt like something wasn't quite right with DD. But every time I have spoken to her teachers/grandparents they all seem surprised and I feel like I'm being silly. The issue is DD can be very quiet and I often am not sure if they are just not seeing the side that I do. I have been making a list of symptoms (below) and together to me they make a better picture. I have got an appointment with my GP next week. Just wondered if these symptoms were similar to your/your experience?

Struggles to get to sleep every night, daydreams a lot, easily distracted, can’t always focus except on craft activities, never been able to watch a film, can appear careless, losing things, gets upset easily, doesn’t always read others well, imatates behaviour, shy, takes time to process information, not understand/almost like she doesn’t hear, interrupts, not sure if her speech is where is should be.

Could be inattentive ADHD. How old is she? Are the school not seeing any of the same behaviours that you are?

Could also be Dyslexia. People think Dyslexia is just poor literacy but there's a lot more to it than that.

She is 6. I have spoken to her teacher about afew concerns although I didn't mention ADHD. Her teacher seem to shrug it off as just down to her age. I recently watched her at sport day and could tell she wasn't listening/in a bit of a world of her own. The teachers didn't seem to notice and she got by as she just copied the others. She is very shy and I wonder if it cause her to fall under the radar abit.
At swimming lessons I noticed she is never listening to her teacher. Which has been noticed as they are in a small group. Her teacher has to regularly ask if she is listening. It's almost like she can not focus. She does get very upset when she is told off for not listening.she hates being seen as 'naughty' so I know it's not intentional.

At that age teachers always fob parents off with “it’s their age”. Often it is their age but just as often it’s not.
keep a list of your observations, keep talking to the school. Mention your thoughts on adhd, the teacher might not have much understanding of the “girl quirks” of adhd.

PP mentioned dyslexia, I agree, it is so far reaching and v misunderstood. What about dyspraxia too, executive functioning issues with attention, loads of things overlap. Unrelated but I'd cut as much sugar out of diet, drinks and monitor sleep. Same with visual stimulation eg screen time.

Is she young in her year? Youngest children in their school year get diagnosed with adhd a lot more because of relative immaturity.

Keep an eye on it, sure, but I personally wouldn't be worried about a 6 year old with a rich inner world. No need to start the process towards lifelong stimulant medication at this age, especially if the school doesn't see a problem.

Agree about the possible dyslexic also. DD has just had her report and spelling/handwriting are the main concerns that have been highlighted. I think I need to not mention labels when I speak to my GP/SEN teacher as I do have limited understanding.
I will definitely keep the list/add to. I made this list as I whenever I have tried to discuss with anyone it just sounded like I was saying she was abit day dreamy. The only person who agrees with is DH as he also sees it. Most others get the 'shy' side of her.

Teachers don't diagnose - at best they may know a little more than the general public or have some experience with similar DC. Unless you mean the SENCO? Who may or may or may not have relevant expertise.

Fairly she was born in April so probably is towards the younger end.
Is that the main/only treatment she would get? I do not want to go down the medication route unless I really thought she needed it.

No just her teacher I haven't spoke to SENCO yet. I do plan to after the summer holidays just seeing where I get with the GP.
I have for the last couple of years thought as long as she is progressing well in school etc does it need to be diagnosed. Especially when her teachers said they are not concerned. However, she recently admitted to me she copies a lot of her friends work. Which I have spoken to her teachers about.

Has her hearing been checked? She may be trying her best but if it is a struggle to hear then she will miss out on some things completely, and also tune out every so often when it gets to be too hard.

My understanding is about 2/3 of kids diagnosed with adhd are prescribed medication and girls tend to be prescribed less often than boys. As far as I know, parental consent is usually needed for young children to receive medication.

Also rule out the usual things like hearing and eye tests as you will get asked. I had similar concerns about our DD aged 6. I was fobbed off by the school, aged 10 we got an autism diagnosis privately due to wait lists to help secure more support before secondary school. Keep your diaries, read around a lot to see what support you can put in place at home and believe in yourself as so so often girls go under the radar.

From the way you describe your daughter she could also be autistic, as well as having ADHD

Yes she recently had a hearing test at school so I can rule that out.

Thank you I will do. I think she is just falling under the radar as she is not causing any real issues in terms of behaviour.

I have also thought that. I suppose by saying ADHD I was picking the one she seems to fit the most. However I definitely need to improve my knowledge.