Just received an ADHD diagnosis and have a few queries ...

[bodiddly]

I wonder if anyone can help. We had an assessment meeting for ds just before Xmas when we were told he has moderate to severe ADHD hyperacticity with impulsive sub type. We were pretty sure he had ADHD but were surprised to hear that it was deemed moderate to severe rather than mild.

The Dr gave us a mountain of information to read about medication etc and we have been asked back for a review meeting this week. Does anyone know what happens now? Is it a question of them wanting to see us to see if we want to medicate or are we likely to be offered further options?

On another matter ds got upset today when I asked him very calmly why he had lied about making his bed and started crying. I walked out of the room for one moment and when I came back in he was punching himself in the head with closed fists repeatedly. He was so upset and kept saying he felt like doing it because he was bonkers. He is not a violent child at all and is not aggressive or defiant. I've never known him to do anything like this - is it usual? I was so upset seeing him like it and gave him cuddles etc to calm him down but I didn't really get to the bottom of what was going on. Does anyone have any advice for a novice at dealing with this sort of thing please?

Yet again, thank you. I'm not really sure where to start but you raise a really good point about the steady rhythm exercise over adrenaline rush football etc. The child is obsessed though! I guess that would explain why they recommend cycling, swimming and martial arts.

Do people find about these things on their own or do the psychiatrists etc push them in the right direction? Is an OT and occupational therapist?

We do try and calm before bed but because he goes to bed quite early we start running out of time. He doesn't have any screen time during the week so there isn't any thing to come down from there. On Beavers night and Football training night he is a little later but otherwise we are quite consistent.

Thank you, I will have a look on Amazon for it now. It's all quite bewildering as to where to start. We have a meeting with psychiatrist this afternoon so hopefully she will be of some help!

Sorry , I wasn't suggesting sensory integration therapy instead of medication, I was suggesting trying , and seeing if it reduces the need for medication. - lower dosage etc. medication comes with its own complications. I thought I understood the OP was trying to decide whether to use medication or not
I see you are in NZ - I am a NZer myself , and know that finding someone actually trained in sensory integration therapy is very hard.... Are you in Auckland? I just ask because we were looking at moving back , and I was researching OT's that had sensory integration training and found someone in Mt Eden .
fYI - ideally you need an OT that has the extra Sensory training. DS has SPD ( for years we were told he had ADHD) - he had had OT for years (because his fine motor skills are disastrous) with no real benefit, however started with the specialized OT and the results were nothing short of miraculous (even for the therapist) .... I don't think his results are normal to be honest , but people do find it can have a really positive affect.

So much to consider!! I heard mention of a book called All Dogs Have ADHD that is meant to be for kids. Has anyone seen it? Or can recommend any others?

not specifically for ADHD - but I found "the way of Boys" by Anthony Rao fantastic

We had our first review meeting post diagnosis today and it was very handy to have read your comments etc justabout, thank you. I put together some questions and have booked a date in march for a possible trial. We have until then to look into other options and decide whether to proceed.

It was comforting to learn that pretty much all the behavioural issues we have with ds are down to the ADHD. It is up to me now to learn how to help him better and cut him a bit of slack in those areas where he genuinely can't help it.

It's a massive learning curve for me thinking he is being lazy, forgetful, lying etc - I've been doing him a huge injustice!

I know what you mean .... I'd be very rich if I had a penny for every time I asked him to sit down or stay still!

I've definitely got to change my whole attitude but don't want to go too far the other way and make excuses for him or let him get away with bad behaviour!

Thank you - all advice gratefully received at this end. Am willing to try most things!