how old to diagnose ADD?

DandR

My neice's preschool teacher told my SIL and BIL that she thinks their DD has ADD or something similar.  They are, obviously, worried and going to see their pedi.

I'm annoyed and feeling bad for them. (their oldest DD has some issues, speech and such) 

A. Their DD seems perfectly normal to me.  If anything, maybe her speech is a bit behind, but I don't think its off the charts behind like her older sister's was at that age....She's a very typical 3 year old otherwise.  Loves to play, etc.

B. I didn't know preschool teachers had med degrees and could diagnose such things.

C. Isn't 3 a little young for a diagnosis of anything?  Shoot, my kids when they were 3 were all bi-polar...based on the fact that they could go from happy to angry in .05 seconds.....

KoriBrett

From what DH (who has it) has told me, more like around age 7-8 ish.

JOEBunny

A.  DD has nothing to do with being behind developmentally

B. She said she thinks, not that she was sure, and your  SIL & BIL are doing exactly what they should do to follow up.

C.  It can be young, but not for some things in some kids.

My Aunt started a school for the under 5 set for early intervention for all types of physical and behavioral problem, so that kids could get early intervention.  It make a big difference.  If they have her evaluated and she is fine, then what is the problem?  Better overly cautious.  Some other things, such as poor vision and hearing loss can cause kids to behave in a manner similar to ADHD and not diagnosing that early can really hurt.

No one likes to hear that their child might have an obsticle, but better to be told as soon as possible, so they can get the help they need, if any.

swanstdl

I'm an elementary teacher and there is NO way we would ever say those words to a parent.  Teachers are not qualified to diagnose ADD/ADHD.  She was out of line.

CBKMRB

A friend of mine sent her 3 year old to preschool and on the FIRST DAY the women tried to tell my friend that her DD had ADD (after spending a whole 3 hours with her). 

kellnbri

A doctor will not diagnose ADD/ADHD until at least 6 years of age

shopgirl78

I have the DSM at my desk, critera:

1.  onset prior to age 7

2.  symptoms present for a # of years

3.  symptoms must be presented in at least two different settings (ie home and school)

4.  clear evidence of interfence of developmental appropriate social, acedemic or occupational functioning

suggests rule out:  PDD, schizophernia, other psychotic disoders and then they have a list of sub criteria....there are lots

DandR

Thanks shopgirl! (and everyone)

Thats sort of what I thought, that it was really more of a 6 or 7 year old diagnosis...not 3! 

I know this particular preschool teacher, she's pretty hardcore and regimented and it just might not be a good fit for my niece who may need more of a montesori type setting.   Plus my niece is one of the youngest in the class and maybe just isnt ready for the preschool setting.

Preschool teacher spends all of 4 hours a week with my niece...I see niece usually about 2 or 3 hours a week...so its not like I don't see how my niece acts....She truly does not seem any different when we are at grandma's than my own kids...plays, loves to help grandma cook, etc, etc.  So who knows.

Granted, I'm not a doctor or qualifed any more than the preschool teacher.  I just feel like maybe the preschool teacher was jumping the gun a bit by telling my BiL and SiL that.

That said, since they've had issues with their older DD, they are being very proactive (I would be too)...I just think it was ridic for the preschool teacher to bring it up like that.......that's all.

GreenEggs&Ham

I would not be so annoyed. what is the harm of a teacher calling out behavior that is not typical?  Maybe ADD cant be diagnosed at that age and the teacher isnt medically qualified, I agree. but clearly, the teacher is seeing something that is a flag to her and notifying the parents is smart.  May not be ADD, but like pp said, could be something else. or nothing at all, but no harm in checking/watching.