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Possible ADHD, a couple questions.

bebemamabebemama member
in Special Needs

If a child shows signs of ADHD is it important to get an official diagnosis before entering K.  He goes to a preK now, and has done really well.  The class is about 15 children, with 2 aids, as it is a universal preK that has half children from our community without special needs and the other half are kids with various special needs that come to the school.  The teacher is great, and has never expressed any concerns other then noting in his progress reports that he can be impulsive, and he likes to move. 

But yesterday, on his 5th birthday, I was parent helper and he was also super star (other special school privileges and responsibilities) and we were having his end of the year party at school, and all the families would be joining, and we just had a huge party for him Sunday, and he said he had nightmares the night before. (lots of excuses, huh...)  But lots was going on.  Anyway the teacher called each kid over and handed them their notebook and asked them to put it in there backpack, when they usually would put it in their mailbox, but today was different because of the party.  My DS came over took the notebook and put it in his mailbox, she pulled it out repeated the instructions and he put it in his mailbox again. She then pulled it out and said listen to my instructions, and he was like I did! And she said no, listen.  And the third time he listened and he put it in his backpack. 

Then she mentioned that she made a note about that on his progress report, and that she thought he may have a difficult time next year with all day kindy and that it will be a big adjustment.  I asked her if she thought he has adhd, and she said she can't diagnose, but as a mother of a child who has it and in her experience she would lean towards thinking so, and that it would be worth mentioning to his doctor.  SHe also said she's seen a lot of growth throughout the year as well but I would assume that is to be expected for every child regardless of the challenges they have.  Then during the party, during the performance and little ceremony he had the most difficult time sitting still and was fidgeting the whole time.  He was a little disruptive, very adhd like.

So my question is, do kids with an adhd diagnoses get an IEP or any special assistance at school.  Do they receive any type of therapies, or is just useful to know and learn strategies to help.  Medication isn't something I would be interested in trying at this age.  Also, do they evening diagnose at 5, and if not why?  

My brother is 40 and just was diagnosed with add and is now on adderal.  I basically was stuck in a daydream most of my school career, so it isn't a huge surprise and I certainly don't want him to have the same experience I had. But while it doesn't come as a surprise, I am not very knowledgable about the process and advantages to getting a diagnosis.

  

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Re: Possible ADHD, a couple questions.

  • bebemamabebemama member

    Thanks Auntie, I was hoping you would reply.  I appreciate your insight.  The program and the teacher are unbelievable.  We were very fortunate to get in there, and I before starting I had heard that this teacher was the best.  I've been very happy with the school year.   I completely understand her comments were based on the year as a whole.  The example given was a bit extreme for him, as he was very much very tired, over excited/stimulated and he totally just didn't hear her.  It was a great opportunity for us to open up this dialog though, I was actually grateful to have witnessed that, and been able to talk to her about it, because she knows him so well, and is so knowledgable.  I certainly didn't feel like it was an isolated incident.  

    I will more forward with having an evaluation.  It has seemed I have noticed more lately his inability to focus in certain situations, were his fidgeting is distracting to his peers.  I really want to help him.  My own mother was a director for an agency that provided educational services to people with LD's, but somehow never sought help for my brother and my own attentional deficits.  I missed out and can't help but feel a little resentful at times. 

    Thanks again. 

     

     

      

     

     

     

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  • winomom22winomom22 member
    We had DD1 evaluated for ADHD shortly after turning 5 and she was diagnosed with it. I am glad we did because now we know what we are working with and the teachers can address it accordingly. She has an Aug bday with a Sept 1 cutoff and we held her back from K this year. She went to a Just 5 program instead provided by the school district for kids that are age eligible, but based on teacher recommendation have a summer bday and aren't quite ready for K. It sounds similar to your pre-K program. Luckily DD1's teacher has found what works in the classroom and will pass it on to her K teacher next fall so she can lay the groundwork for a successful school year next year. We aren't medicating yet. We are waiting to see what K brings and how she functions with the supports in the classroom. A lot of neuropsychologists will diagnose as early as 4 now so IMO it doesn't hurt to be proactive. 
    Child #1: 6 yo DD Child #2: 2yo DD
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  • clc023clc023 member
    My oldest was diagnosed at age 6, right after entering 1st grade.  I wish I had realized sooner that it wasn't just age and being male.  If I had, I would have made sure he had a teacher that understood his struggles and was able to help him in a positive way.  But that didn't happen, and before I realized it, she obliterated his self esteem, made him sit out for recess numerous times, and just made it a lot worse.  He thankfully got a wonderful teacher in 1st grade that really worked with him and did lots of behavior modification with him and that was a godsend.  He did start medication and that has made a tremendous difference as well but I wasn't willing to start earlier than when we did and would have preferred an extra year without meds.  Oh, and he is not on an IEP/504, but if I had realized how much trouble he would have going into kindergarten, then I would have done it.  It gives your child a legal right to modifications and extra support.
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