If you suspected your DC had ADHD before age 6

[Squasher]

What helped? Especially if predominantly hyperactive?

Told we can’t have a formal assessment or medication before age 6, both via NHS or privately. I literally don’t know how we and/or school are going to cope with another 1.5 years minimum of this. I am open to trying anything and spending anything (within reason, full time carer out of the question for example). Books, parenting courses, therapy…whatever.

Thanks.

What support is DS already receiving? Does he have an EHCP? Has he had an OT assessment?

Some people find The Out of Sync Child and The Explosive Child books helpful. Do you have any sensory toys/equipment? Or a trampoline?

Hi Squasher
Have just seen on the NHS site that methylphenidate can be given to children over 4yrs. This is the first line of medication normally given for ADHD and is often very effective. You'll obviously need to get an assessment and diagnosis first though, do ring around if you're willing to go privately. Happy to send you details of the place I use if you're close to London, just send me a PM.

Methylphenidate: a medicine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

We started our referral for adhd when my son was 4, in reception! The SENCO referred him. We got his adhd diagnosis 2 months ago, provided by developmental paediatrician at local family clinic (via NHS). He was/is 5 at time of diagnosis.

Between those dates we had one face to face meeting and completed I'd say, 10 different submissions of paperwork- some just questionnaires, others asking for examples at home, school, behaviours in relationships, learning. Very thorough.

So, perhaps it's your borough. But I'd be challenging that push back to wait until your child is 6. I KNEW my son had adhd (he scores highly for every symptom, particularly hyperactivity and has done since he was quite literally a baby).

Erm, what's helping? We've been told there's a shortage of medication- and we're not sure about that route yet anyway. He's getting lots of support from school (we can now apply for EHCP with diagnosis). Some days exercise helps, other days it makes absolutely no difference. Our son masks allot at school so he can be really hyper and prone to meltdowns at home.

we can now apply for EHCP with diagnosis

A diagnosis isn’t required to request an EHCNA. They are based on needs, not diagnosis.

My son is now 8, was diagnosed at 6 but we had a family history and it was apparent from toddlerhood. He never stopped. People would constantly tell me they thought all toddlers were active then they met him... He was a perpetual motion/mayhem machine. He was also a twin, had an older sister and when he was 2 I had my youngest. Times were very hectic.

What helped? Sensory play, a LOT of outdoor play and "heavy work" (I used to put his twin in a laundry basket and have him push her up and down the corridor while they both shouted "zoom!" which was pretty funny). Deep pressure before bed (he still asks me to rest my leg over him when he can't sleep sometimes), a weighted blanket. Letting him strip to his pants and play with buckets of mud and water to his heart's content.
A very "gentle" parenting approach but with clear limits (his risk assessment skills were nil).
The book "the explosive child" was helpful to us.

It still isn't easy but he's older now and discovered a love of football so plays that several times a week. He runs laps of the school field at school in his movement breaks trying to break his own speed records. He has climbing holds on the bedroom wall to cling onto and a sensory hammock to swing and hide in.
He is happier and more regulated when he is well exercised and when he is treated compassionately.

To take a few of your points.

Diagnosis is not typically done before age 6 but can be done by a doctor at a younger age. My son was diagnosed just after he turned 5, he has ADHD to a pretty severe extreme, so I'll assume you know your son and it's also severe. No masking here, just constant insane behaviour, round the clock, 24/7. Certainly my boy couldn't sit still to watch a TV show or sit on the bus or even really enjoy a bedtime story... couldn't follow through on a conversation as he'd be chopping and changing and losing the thread. Would need reminding from one mouthful to the next to eat his food... maybe some of this sounds familiar to you!

I found a doctor by literally cold calling child psychiatrists round where I live until I found one who was willing to assess a 4/5 year old. Most weren't.

EHCP - as others say you don't need a diagnosis for an EHCP. You could start a process to get him extra help before then.

What helped - truly I'd say we only just survived those early years (he's 8 now and still bonkers but calming down a bit). Lots of time outdoors. Lots of swimming. Second the book the explosive child.

What I wish I'd done - I wish I'd done more occupational therapy with my son. I didn't really perceive his needs to be sensory but actually I think a lot of his hyperactivity was actually sensory seeking. Had I known how to meet those sensory needs, we might have been able to calm him down more using things he uses now like weighted blankets and pressure and fidget toys.

Good luck x

My son is 7 and has had an adhd diagnosis since he was just 6 (literally timed the appointment!) so we’re a couple of years ahead of you.

We have tried loads of stuff but the things which have been most effective for us are:

15 minutes of proper exercise before school every day.

A bath before school every day (this really calms him)

Physical exercise every day after school.

Daily vitamin supplements- we do multivitamin, magnesium, zinc, lithium and probiotic.

Weighted blanket

Wobble cushion, therabamd and fidget toys in school

A soft start in the mornings in school (ie a bit of play time instead of going straight into school)

Support from an educational psychologist and occupational therapist for recommendations in school.

Play therapy and work at home with recognising emotions

Lots and lots of people also recommended a listening programme to help brain development (give it a Google) and although this hasn’t worked for us it’s really effective for lots of adhd children.