Does this sound like ADHD? Or Something else?

[BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger]

Hello all, was recommended I post in this topic by another MNer, but will try to keep it brief (or I could go on for pages!)

DS (5) has always been a bit of a handful and fairly 'sensitive' but recently I have started to think there is more to his behaviour, previously I just put it down to DS 'being DS'

The main thing I notice is it is very hard to get his attention, it's like he has a swarm of bees in his head. The best way I can describe it is that it seems that every single piece of information his brain is processing has the same priority, if that makes sense? If he does manage to focus (eg on a book or a film) I feel like I could bang saucepans next to his head and he wouldn''t notice, it's as if he has to 'zone out' everything else just to concentrate. The rest of the time he even loses what he is saying half way through a sentance. It could be 'Mummy do you remember when I was a baby, and I was wearing my red top and it was sunny, and Oh look a bird!'

He cannot keep still, I took him to get his hair cut the other day and he could not stop fidgeting, his eyes were darting everywhere.

He also seems to have issues around food. He is a TOTAL sugar junkie, I have to lock the kitchen or he will sneak down in the night and eat anything sweet. I have stopped buying biscuits etc but if these are not available he will eat cereal, sugar straight from the packet, cake decorations, cocoa powder etc.
If I do buy the DC a packet of sweets for after dinner or something then he will obsess about it, have to keep checking the sweets are still there, asking when we will have the sweets etc etc. He really does seem to have genuine anxiety around food in this way. Plus he has to know what we are eating, when will we eat it, whatare we having with it, how do you make it, etc etc.

He can't seem to control his impulses. In the past he has both eaten DD's birthday cake before the big day and opened a load of her birthday presents. He begged me not to go downstairs (and discover what he had done) so he does know it is wrong, but he does it anyway.

I am sure there are loads of other things I have forgotten to post but what are peoples reactions? Is he just an energetic child or is there something more?

TIA

Sadly I can't say, but your absolute best bet is go with your gut feeling, write a list of everything or keep a diary for a few days and go and see your GP.
If you can video any behaviours that would also help.

Thankyou carrot.

I am not expecting an online diagnosis and I am going to go to the GP, but I am very ignorant of the symptoms of ADHD (which has been suggested to me).

I think what I am probably looking for is for someone to say 'Yes, that sounds typical of X' or 'No that sounds more like Y'

Too scared to google

Shameless bump? I know I don't usually post on these boards but someone must be able to help?

What you say about him giving each thing equal attention, rings a bell from a recent discussion on here which i think was about aspergers or autism rather than adhd but not one hundred per cent sure. But then i dont think you have been concerned about language or social skills or imagination/flexibility of thought which tend to be areas of concern. with asd.

I guess a big practical issue will be how he is getting on at school, and what support he might need,

Sounds like it could be.

I had parents evening today, his teacher agreed that his focus was like trying to pin down a butterfly, but she also commented he has been much better in the last few weeks (since I started him on fish oil).

TBH, his school has a lot of children with additional needs and I got the feeling that as long as he is achieving academically (he is exceeding the level expected at his age) they aren't bothered.

Obviously I am glad he is doing well at schoolwork but I would rather that he was doing worse if that means any potential problems would be picked up.

I am a great believer in trusting your instincts. Schools generally are only bothered if an issue effects them i.e if his behaviour is a problem at school or if his academics were suffering as this affects their overall school results. Not that I am a cynic but may parents have experienced the same on this forum.

Wassup, I am quickly becoming a cynic!

The problem is, my instincts say he is not 'right' but I am not sure what is wrong. Do you think it could be ADHD?

Yes it could possibly be. I have the same issue with my 4 year old who is in Reception class. He however is a handful at school and it does affect his learning so they are being supportive. I think ADHD maybe one of his issues with traits of obsessional behaviour or possibly ASD traits. The term PDA also seems to match him at times, so I am confused as to what it is that is the problem but I to am going to the GP to start the long road of finding out whats what with him. School support him with 1-1 and small group work and he has an IEP. They have also suggested that he is assessed.

Thank you

DS started off having to have 1-1 attention and has now graduated to having someone sat on his table of 6.

I think the fact he is improving at school is almost going against him. He still has all these anxious behaviours at home. I don't know what PDA is, sorry. Unless it stands for Pain in Da Arse in which case I am on board!

Pathological demand avoidance. I don't know anything about it but what I've read on here but it may be worth googling or search for PDA on here.

Pain in Da Arse can sum him up quite well at times ;)

If he responds well to Omega fish Oils, that again points to it possibly being ADHD.

Is it worth having a trial off the omegas so you can be clear they are making a significant difference?

Hi. My son has ADHD .. he is 7. He scored mild - moderate with following areas causing him the most problems. Unable to stay seated in class when required. Unable to stay on task in class. Chatterbox. Answering questions before question was finished. Attention seeking ie: wanting teachers help a lot. Impulsive behaviour ie: making silly noises in class, getting in other kids faces, being generally over the top when wasn't appropriate. He sometimes appears not to be listening, but will be able to tell you exactly what you just said word for word. They also tested him for OCD, ODD & ASD traits (all part of same form) which he did not have. Some of the symptoms related to these conditions were: repetitive behaviour, obsessive behaviour (things must be 'just so'), obsessions (with toys, friends, dvds etc), aggressive behaviour, preferring to play alone, not interacting socially with other children, not adjusting to unexpected change well (needing to know in advance what is happening and when), preferring the company of adults, being nervous or easily scared. There were a few more that I can't remember right now, but you get the gist. Pure ADHD without any co-morbids is really just what is says on the tin noisy, hyper little darlings who can't sit still and don't think of the consequences to their actions. It's developmental, so symptoms may lessen, change or get worse as they get older. Some kids can also 'grow out of it', similar to my older son who is now 15 and had it mildly as a younger child. The paed who diagnosed my son also thought I showed traits of it, which I had already suspected. It's proven to be genetic and therefore likely one of the parents or close family members have symptoms. Diet was the first radical area I changed. My ds has no artificial colours, additives or flavourings. No sweeteners in squashes and sweets/chocolate are limited to treats over the w'ends. It has made a massive difference for him. Regular exercise is really important. My son is also a sugar and carbohydrate junky and has to be carefully monitored. Fish oils are brilliant, keep them up!

Thank you so much.

He doesn't have a lot of sweeteners/processed food but I am sure there are areas of his diet I could improve.

Your first paragraph describes my son to a tee.

Will keep you all updated.