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

Parents of ADHD children give can you give advice on managing suspected ADHD toddler behaviours?

5 replies

catrinfj · 11/11/2023 08:25

Any advice on getting kids to sleep better?
Or getting them to need less support to sleep? (My partner has never gotten her to sleep in the house, only in the car)
Or concentrate on meals / drinking?

Started to explore the possibility of her having extra needs as a result of noticed behaviours with the childminder and her sleep having consistently being this terrible
Dad is waiting to be assessed for ADHD and has struggled with impulse control and there are generational examples of destructive impulse control and attention deficit 2 generations before him.
Our daughter is just about to turn 2 and her behaviour is becoming more and more evident that she isn’t quite like other children.
During pregnancy she was constantly moving and kicking (and forced hiccuping!)
when she was born every single medical professional that saw us commented on how alert she was. He eyes were wide open and she was constantly taking everything in.
I started struggling when she would wail if I tried to lie her on her back, awake, in the carry cot part of the pram or the next to me cot. So just couldn’t put her down unless she was propped up so she could see like she had fear of missing out!
she was such a light sleeper that when she fell asleep on me I couldn’t transfer her without waking.
She has never gone to sleep without being fed to sleep or I’m the car. She has needed lots of sleep support from day dot.
I couldn’t unlatch her from breast feeding and get a dummy in so I could have a break. She would only use a dummy awake to soothe teething.
she seemed extra sensitive to teething pain to anyone else I spoke to (She had all her teeth early and had all her teeth before 2)
she always been fussy with food. She sensory seeks so she loves the freezing cold so frozen I’ve cream and also crunchy things are her go to. Whenever she’s tried chocolate or sweet things her reaction was extreme happiness beyond the norm and then has a melt down if she couldn’t have more.
she gets so distracted she forgets to drink so I have days where I syringe in water because I just can’t get her to concentrate on drinking no water what cup bottle or beverage I present to her.
so we have had regular struggles with constipation
when we have been on holiday and regular surroundings and routine have gone out the window she has been so distracted with food and drink she’s not pooed for 10 days! And would just breastfeed like mad.
Hates sitting to eat

she consistently wales 3 times + a night
cannot link sleep cycles
will not link sleep cycles at nap time if in the car because she’s sensitive to light
had never napped in the pram
doesnt give tired cues until she’s losing her mind and then we know she’s over tired so have had to use the huckleberry app to track her sleep to know her wake windows.
shes such a happy kid on very little total sleep for her age. Always the bottom range of sleep needs
she’s advanced with her words, loves word books / but has absolutely no interest in following along with reading story books
loves motion. Was the tiny toddler who would cry if she couldn’t feel the g force on a swing. Loves to run at full pelt. Loves spinning / dancing

she’s is mostly over sociable, which seems lovely at this age but at a playgroups she stands right in the face of the group leader and is always the most outgoing wild kid.
but she gets over stimulated if she goes to a big family gathering where lots of people are looking/ talking at her

it’s like she has no ears and is under a spell if she is in front of a screen 🙃 and has an extreme reaction if it’s turned off. So I avoid tv as much as possible

TIA

OP posts:
PassageDEnfer · 11/11/2023 09:28

I'd ask for a professional opinion from your GP, should you feel these issues are a cause for concern, and be guided by their response.

BlueBrick · 11/11/2023 10:10

Have you spoken to the HV and GP? Although DD wouldn’t be diagnosed with ADHD yet.

For sensory differences, have a look at this booklet and this website.

catrinfj · 12/11/2023 08:32

We have a few GP’s in the family and they have just said that it’s good that we are aware of her behaviour and understand why we have concern but just to keep documenting her behaviours until diagnosis age.
Also they said they get about 15 mins education on baby/toddler sleep in total!

OP posts:
catrinfj · 12/11/2023 08:34

Thank you for the links. Those were very insightful!
the more reading I do, the more I understand my OH too 😂

OP posts:
BlueBrick · 12/11/2023 16:36

Even though you have GPs in the family, you should speak to your HV and GP.

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