Help, ADHD or something else?

[Peanut08]

Hi,
Hope you don't mind me posting on here as this is where I feel safest and recognise more names
I'm fairly new here and have 3 DC my youngest (8 months) has DS but it's actually my DS1 (5) who I'm concerned about.
He's always been quite 'challenging' and as a toddler used to wander/run off regularly and threw mega tantrums at the drop of a hat, he has always had of loads of energy and his mood is very dependent on sleep and hunger.
He started school in Sep and seems to be doing well although his teacher has picked up that he finds it hard to concentrate if he's not interested in something and is easily distracted. He has been a little 'rowdy' in the playground as play fighting has got out of hand but at home he is exhusting.
He is constantly jumping,rolling,running about, throws tantrums on a daily basis involving screaming, kicking doors etc, still needs feeding at 2 hour intervals (his mood improves as soon as he's eaten) lashes out when told no and seems emotionally immature IYSWIM.
Do you think I should be concerened or am I overeacting? He can and does play nicely if engaged in something that interests him or if he has a friend to play but the weekends are hell especially as he is worse for DH. Do you think I need to speak to someone as it's starting to get me down [SAD] I still have the odd day of coming to terms with DS2'S dx.

i have no idea i'm afraid but didnt want your post to go unanswered. x

Thanks cherrymonster, maybe I'll check back in the morning.

i will too, also have a post here about ds2.

hmm, thats a difficult one peanut (and welcome BTW!) as many 'professionals' could say that its part of average small boy behaviour, especially in the playground where hes just finding the pecking order.

However, i find the lack of concentration - except for 1:1 adult - a bit worrying, does he manage to play with anything for ANY length of time? how verbal is he? constant sound effects are usually a bit of a giveaway. Also constant wiggling, jiggling, shuffling and squirming would also suggest ADHD. Do certain foods set him off? ADHD also usually comes with the typical ASD traits in little boys - needing routine (or at least a minute by minute itinerary!), obsessions special interests , or sensory issues eg. being tactile defensive (not liking certain clothes as they feel 'wrong'). Either way, i dont think theres any harm in asking your GP for a referral to a Paed about his behaviour.

DS1 has ADHD, and even from a VERY young age would have 'strange' habits - he would watch TV at 4wks old, he had the attention span of a gnat and wouldnt even have the attention to open toyboxes to see what was inside, he would 'set things up' continuously (and i mean for hours) - no idea what he was 'setting them up' for he never got that far! he would adjust things and line things up (i dont mean as in a line, but he would look at something else and adjust both very carefully, before finding something else to adjust in accordance.) He would watch a disney film maybe 3 or4 times in a row, whilst pacing. He couldnt be stopped halfway thru a particular activity, he would throw a right ole strop! His constant fidgeting would drive me insane, and he really didnt sit still at all!

There are some good 'red flag' lists on the net as to 'typical behaviours'. But i think going to have it checked out would be good. xxx

i think make a list of all concerns and again get school to do the same go se your gp and see if you can be referred

if your feeling down then it would be worth your while for both of your sakes to seek further help and get some answers if anything they could give you some strategies with how to handle him in the mean time

good luck

Thanks for the advice.
Sound affects are usually there day to day and he does have an obsessive streak. At the moment it's listening to the music of a certain wii game over and over again, not playing the game just listening to it .
Think I will speak to his teacher and my GP this week.
Thanks again.