Hello all I have zero experience with ADHD but my five year old does things with make me suspect he could be ADHD - but I’m also not sure what is typically for a five year old.
The things he does which make me suspect ADHD are:
- Not listening to us or his teacher when asked to do things. Sometimes because it seems he doesn’t want to and sometimes he seems distracted/forgetful.
- Fidgets constantly, has never been able to stand still for 2 mins while I brush his teeth, eyes dart everywhere and he has to move or dance or run away while teeth brushed.
- Talks non-stop but has trouble with one on one conversations.
- Takes a while to settle some nights and will only sleep with us lying with him.
- Struggles with independent play (his 2 year old brother does better at this than he does).
- Struggles to sit on mat at school.
- Reluctant to do things he doesn’t want to do and defiant when asked to go to time out (refuses and has tantrum).
- Obsessed with TV (only time he will sit still) and has huge tantrums over being told no TV.
On the other side he is very sweet and very focused when it’s something he’s interested in and someone is playing alongside him - like Lego or baking with me.
He is very bright and doing well at school with plenty of friends (is reading very well for his age) so even though he lacks focus it doesn’t seem to be holding him back - although he might not be at his full potential which is my concern.
Where we are kids cannot be diagnosed through the public system until a bit older I think, but we can go private. I’m wondering if here is any advantage to seeking an early diagnosis if he is ADHD.