Adhd?? - Peru,NY

My story is a little different... it's not his doctor, but his speech therapist and OT that think he has ADHD. My son is only 3 1/2 so he's too young to get tested. Reading about the speech and OT made me laugh. Same here, the speech has been great, but the OT just sets my son off. My son too has sensory processing disorder. He just got approved for a special-ed preschool. I'm wondering if that would be something for you to look into. Were he could be with other children with similar delays and he could get his therapies at school. My heart goes out to you...
T.

Hello Dear,
It sounds like you are as confused as I once was. Right before my son turned 3 years we started experiencing these same outbursts. Yes, 3 years is a little early to diagnose anything, but they wanted to say he was ADHD and possibility Bipolar...BIPOLAR. At 3 years old!
First I should say if his behavior was just a spurt (you said 3 weeks) and then went back to normal, don't listen to them. Children even at 5 years of age are going to have difficulties adjusting to a new setting, especially since you said it started again when he began with the new OT. From what you describe, I personally don't believe it is a behavior issue, as much as it may be an adjustment issue. Plus kids feel our stress. If you tend to act differently around him when you think he is displaying ADHD behavior, he will.
Parents tend to treat their children differently when they think they are ADHD. They mostly will let more slides because they play it off to a disorder instead of thinking of it as typical misbehavior.
How long was he potty trained before he started having the accidents? Was he ever fully trained? If not then don't worry about the accidents and getting him ready for school. If need be you can keep him till he is 6 and have him start a year later if necessary. With him having sensory processing issues it is common for him to have a late development when it comes to bowels and bladder. This is common!! Just because he has accidents doesn't mean he is ADHD, it is all related back to him sensory issues.
Here is a link if you want to read more on it.
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/The_SPD_Compan...
It explains a little better about the connection between sensory issues and bowels and bladder accidents. Here is one quote from the page: "unpredictable state of arousal or inability to control arousal level (hyper to lethargic, angry to happy in short periods of time, perhaps without visible cause", and "difficulty with potty training; does not seem to know when he/she has to go (i.e., cannot feel the necessary sensation that the bowel or bladder are full"
These are all related to sensory issues.

Just read up is all I can suggest to you. But above all, don't let them diagnose him as ADHD. If you want to do what I did...go through with all the tests to have him tested. AND EVEN IF THEY DO diagnose him as ADHD, you as the parent have the option to have him medicated or have him helped with natural stimuli. I choose the later and my son attends Whispering Pines Preschool down in Amsterdam, NY 5 days a week, 1/2 days. IT HAS BEEN A GODSEND! He has better attention span, his developmental issues have improved. It’s just been great. WWP specializes with children who have these types of drawbacks, and they know how to work with them to get the best out of our kids.
If you want to know more about WWP or if I can help in any way, you can e-mail me directly at ____@____.com

Hope this helps and best of luck.
M. T

It is not impossible for you son to have ADHD, but judging from the symptoms you described and their short appearance in his life, I would not think this diagnosis to be correct at all. If he has a tendency towards ADHD behavior he needs to be seeing a psychologist in conjunction with a good pediatrician, not one that wants to label every kid who walks through the door and is mildly hyperactive with ADHD. Wetting of the pants is not a common symptom of ADHD. I can write from experience as my 4 year old actually has been diagnosed with a combined type of ADHD in which he suffers from an inablity to adjust to certain situations and has behavioral problems. The diagnosis was a lengthy drawn-out process that I approached my pediatrician with after many tears and much research on the subject of ADHD because quite frankly I could not seem to manage my child and it was not making sense to me when my other 2 childrens demeanors were radically different. Kaleb (my son) had other symptoms besides his behavior, to include insomnia because he has trouble settling himself down and wouldn't get more than 3-4 hours of sleep a night. My first reaction was to not medicate and to work on behavioral management. Our first session in behavior management is after I confer with his psychologist alone on the 17th of this month, and we've been seeing the pyschologist who formally diagnosed Kaleb since August-September of 2006 and trying different tactics to help him focus and listen a little better. We did try a medicine called Clonidine to help him sleep for awhile but I quickly took him off of it b/c it made his sleeping habits worse and he'd awaken in the middle of the night quite lethargic and thirsty (it was scary). I don't want medicine that'll make my child a zombie or calm his crazy behavior, but I want him to get the proper rest that he needs to function better during the day. We've now gotten him into a strict routine of wake-up, nap-time every day, and bedtime and plenty of outside and coloring time with less TV watching and this has radically improved his focus without medication. Meds should most certainly be a last resort, especially in children this young. And I'm confident that this form of ADHD that I have accepted (for now) in my child, will outgrow him with lots of love and extra care. Hang in there sweetie! You aren't alone and I would suggest you see a new pediatrician if at all possible and I agree with you that your son more than likely is not ADHD at all but is more than likely going through a phase, but a second opinion and help from a better ped will be a great step in helping him pull himself out of it.

Be very careful, I am a nurse, received my schooling and degree in Oklahoma. After I moved up here I have notice that a lot of doctors have labeled people with bipolor,adhd, etc and they really don't have these disorders. I have never been anywhere that has this many people diagnosed with these types disorders before. There are a lot of different attention disorders that dont require medication but they do take a lot of time and patience with the children. My youngest which is 4 is the same way, it is very hard to deal with but you have to imagine what is going on in their little heads. My son has a hard time staying focused, has fits when he gets overwhelmed and it doesnt take much to cuz that. Routine is a good thing for him cuz he does not do well at all with change. You have to get their attention and refocus them over and over with lots of love and patience. I have to get down to his level (eye to eye) make him look at me and repeat what I say to him. It does get better I have a older son that is 10 which is the same also but he is learning more how to refocus by himself.

No, you should be careful who you trust with your kids. They always are quick to diagnose. You know your son better then anyone, don't ever let anyone push you into something you feel odd about. They put kids on all kinds of meds, and it makes them worse. I feel a childs mind needs to develop on it's own, without medications. A lot of 'normal' children are diagnosed because they act out, or are a little hyper, which a lot of boys are. I would find another pediatrician if I were you. You need to find someone you can trust.
ADHD is a disorder that causes a child not to be able to concentrate. There are kids that stare out into space in school, because their teachers are so boring, and they want to put them on meds for it. They don't want to fix the problems in the childs environment, that are causing the problems, they want to fix the child. It is debatable whether or not ADD and ADHD even are real. If your child is having trouble with the OT's then maybe you should stop taking him. There must a problem there, if your son is having worse behavior.

I'd fill out the survey and get a 2nd opinion, from a phycologist. Its possible he's autistic.

WOW. Ok, all I am going to say is that your son needs a new pediatrician. The developmental pediatrician sounds like that way to go. Will that pediatricia see your son for all other things.

I know nothing about ADHD except that it is widely mis and over diagnosed. That doesnt mean he couldnt have it. Just remember that with all the training in the world, doctors just dont know it all. You could see 10 different doctors and get 10 different diagnoses. That being said, get a second opinion (if 1st doc says yes to adhd) and a third and a fourth. Especially before medicating him. Look into all your options, use the internest to research, get well informed. THAT is your best defense and it is your job as his mother to protect him and look out for his best interest (which I know you already know or else you wouldnt be actively seeking information.) As far as the accidents, it could be a medical problem and not a behavioral one. Have you ruled out medical issues? My daughter (5 also) has reflux in her kidneys and constipation is a common side effect to this condition so she has frequent accidents. Had this not been diagnosed I would have thought it was possibly behavioral. Something to think about. Sorry I cant be of more help. Good Luck in your search!

MONICA T SAID IT ALL !!! My first Ot didn't work out either she was doing all the wrong types of thereapy with my son writing, cutting etc what he needed was deep pressure stimulation, heavy work and reorganizing. He has severe sensory problems. Which people thought it was my parenting WRONG. It had everything to do with the fact that my son cannot process different stimulations like you and I. If you read my prof and some of my other writings you will know about my sons diorders. See a developmental specialist. Take the advise of Monica, she could have hit the nail on the head for you. If you would like to know more feel free to drop me an email. I can say I have read alot!!!!!!!! Take care and good luck any questions feel free to ask!!!

He is acting out for some reason, and you are right to think he does NOT have add/adhd. Those diagnoses are fix and catch alls for the most part bad parenting. I am NOT saying you are a bad parent! It sounds like something is causing your son to digress, a new school because of a recent move? A loss of a family member in the past 6 months? A bully? Has anyone hurt or touched your son, has he ever been alone with an adult? These are some questions you can repeatidly ask him to see if you can get anything out of him. If he was fine and just started acting this way something set him off. Think about sending him to a pediactric thearapist to talk to him about what is going on.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH. Thats not ADHD. I had "adhd" I say had because I no longer have it.

It sounds like you son has some type of learning delay-NO BIGGIE REALLY! It seems to me that his problem might stem from change. if he was used to the old OT person he may be acting up because he doesn't know the words to say how he feels which is common at this age.

I'd also try to find a new DR. there is an epidemic of ADHD diagnosis going around of late. a friends 7 year old little boy wanted to play instead of do his spelling-he has adhd (his rents didnt medicate him.)

Do what you feel is right. If you don't think your son has a problem with ADHD then don't have him medicated or labled as having the problem many of the "symptoms" are the same as being a little boy or girl wanting to play, no attention span, random thoughts (my personal fave part of any day :-) these are normal kid behaviors.

be strong and I hope this has helped,
K.

Hi T.,
I can certainly symapthise with your frustrations. My son who is now 15 went through some of the things your son is going through.
ADHD is not something I take very lightly, nor should you. It sounds to me as if your sons doctor thinks he has ADHD. To me doctors tend to blame behavioral problems on ADHD.A child with ADHD is someone who is constantly on the go, well sort of. What I mean by that is they can not sit still, they have a hard time finishing tasks. Thier mind is constantly wandering. They have a tendency to not sleep well,they say or do things before they think. Kids with ADHD, have a tendency to rely on caffeine, as they do not sleep well, so they get into this viscious cycle. Their body is very tired while thier mind is not so to make up for the tired feeling they drink caffeine in a variety of sorts, whether it's pop or energy drinks, something to give them more energy because while thier body is tired thier mind is not.
As far as a child with ADHD going to sleep it is very hard for them, I know this because this is how my son is. Over the years his behavior has gotten so much better but his sleeping patterns have not. I medicated him once for this and found out for my son that this was not the answer. He was in a zombie like state and developed tics. I weened him off the pills and have never again put him on any meds. It's been a long hard process.
By filling out that form, many of which I have filled out over the years, is not the answer. I hate them forms. I never thought that just by filling out a form the answer will be within that form. I had my son in counceling for a number of years, filled out those forms, talked with school officials and psychologists and many other things before I did agree with any of them on my sons diagnosis. You are his Mom and you know him much better than your doctor or his therapists. You take all the time you need to fill out that form. Do not be in a rush, sit back observe and watch , gather information before you fill that out. Just because your son is having accidents does not mean he is ADHD. Good luck!

My first suggestion is to read everything you can about ADHD. If you are sure that its not your child then don't let the doctor force that. Get 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinions. Also try to chart when he's behavior is really out of control. What set it off. It could be a food allergy, or you mentioned he's in speech, could it be he's just fustrated at not being able to fully communicate with you. If you keep a journal for a few weeks you maybe able to pin point what maybe causeing the out bursts. Hope this helps.

Hi T.. My son was also in speech and OT. He has struggled with school from the day he started. Although he is highly intelligent, he just wasn't doing well. I did all of the running and testing for ADHD because that was what I was told to do. My son was diagnosed with a mild case of ADHD. However, his father would not give consent and fought me in the courts over the medication. After talking to my son's doctor, we had decided to test for allergies and things of that nature. During this past year of not getting anywhere, my grandfather showed me an article from a newspaper talking about sleep apnea and tonsils and adenoids being a cause of hyperactivity. After again discussing things with my son's doctor, we decided to have his tonsils and adenoids checked out. It turns out that they were swollen, which was causing him to snore, talk and walk in his sleep. Because he was not sleeping well, he did not to well during the day. He recently had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Although it has only been a few weeks, he is completely healed from the surgery. Let me tell you that I have noticed a change in his behavior. He is sleeping better at night and therefore behaving better during the day. It took years to determine what was causing his hyperactivity. I often cried because I felt helpless not knowing what kind of help my son needed. Was it ADHD? Did he just need a tutor? Was he just trying to get attention because he comes from a broken home? Or was it something else medically causing his problems. It took years to figure it out. Every child is different, but they all need love and understanding. Don't get too frustrated or down. It will get easier. Talk to your son's doctor again. Suggest that he be tested for allergies or have his tonsils and adenoids looked at. It's worth a shot and it beats medicating him. All medications have their down sides. I know what you are going through. You are his mother. You have to trust in yourself and your instincts. Try other avenues. I hope that I have helped a little. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

J.

First i would like to say both my brother and sister have adhd my mother noticed the signs when they would zoe into something and not pay attention to anything going on around them and/or had trouble paying attention in school. In my opinion, Doctors try to make everything out to be adhd they said my step mother had it when she was young (she is acually bi-polar) not to imply that your child may be bi-polar but if your doctor says your son has adhd get a second and third opinion before you do the meds. I also think that your sons acting out may be related to the OT's he is seeing (when he switched OT's he acted out). give him a few weeks to get used to the new OT if the acting out stops it was probably just the change. In the mean time, fill out the survey and get second and third opinions just to be sure it is or isn't adhd.

Good Luck with you son i hope things work out for the best for bot of you.

I am only going to address a few points here.

First is do not accept a diagnosis, or any dr who would give one, to a child under the age of 7 yrs of age. All kids younger are add...

Second.. if it is add/adhd.. it is a higher chance it is caused by allergies to foods... you can look in book stores on elimination diets, most common is a corn allergy (and corn syrup and it's solids are in everything from bread, to canned soups, to cereals... so look up the common names for corn by-products, use google) Cut it out complete for a week and see if it helps.. keep food diaries.. make it known to anyone who watches hima nd make them keep tabs... make it seem like life and death if you have to so they comply... it's effort, a ton of it, but it's something easy at the same time you can try. Ask for a referral to an allergy specialist as well.. and arm yourself with articles from books and the internet (trusted scources not like Wikipedia) when you see the doctor and ask for it as well.

If he is Add/adhd... there are more courses then Ritalin... only the worst cases should be on that... Ritalin is a pretty name for speed....

Good luck and stick to your guns.