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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

ADHD or something else?

2 replies

TigerMoon · 23/03/2021 15:06

Hi - I've been having lots of problems with my dd (just turned 8) behaviour for the past couple of years. I've not considered ADHD but read an article about it today where a lot of the symptoms sounded familiar. It's led me to thinking perhaps her rudeness/angry outbursts/frustration are not just naughty behavior but maybe a form of ADHD.

At school she is very well behaved and always gets praised for her friendly attitude and positive behaviour. When she's in a good mood at home she is incredibly loving/funny, intelligent. So I'm confused as to whether it could be ADHD or not.

Here are some of the things that are a daily occurence:

Constant talking
Easily upset by tiny things (e.g. had an outburst yesterday because she didn't have the 'right' felt tips ready for her Zoom Brownies call)
Easily frustrated/angry (often telling me to 'shut up' when she gets annoyed with me)
Messy
Unorganised
Forgetful
Needs prompting several times to do simple tasks like toothbrushing. Will go to the bathroom, then shout down 'what am I meant to be doing?'
Difficulting sticking with a task (especially school-related things like spelling homework)
Difficulty getting to sleep
Refuses to read more than a couple of sentences of a book out loud

However she can be very focussed if watching her favourite TV show or a film she's enjoying or playing a game like Animal Crossing.

Her behaviour and attitude (especially the constant tantrums) are affecting home life so I'd really like to find a solution.

OP posts:
Lemmeout · 27/03/2021 16:04

I have heard people say children work so hard at school to conform when they get home they are so exhausted . Could this be a possibility?
The first step, in my area was to ask the school for a report of behavior. Not a report exactly but an account of behavior over say half a term.
Take to GP ask to be referred for assessment.
Sorry I can’t be more specific it’s so so difficult to call. You know your child and what is typical for them.

AnastasiaKrupnick · 28/04/2021 22:09

These examples do point to ADHD as a possibility. Ask for a referral. She will not be diagnosed if she doesn’t meet the criteria. But, if she does have ADHD, a diagnosis could be life changing for her.

You’re doing a great job by taking her difficulties seriously and treating her with compassion.

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