I am almost certain my just turned 3yo son has ADD, I'm waiting on a specialist appr to confirm. He is hyperactive, doesn't sleep, he runs everywhere- like literally runs as fast as he can. He often falls down and occasionally badly hurts himself, he's split his head a couple of times, split lips, knocked teeth, black eyes. He doesn't learn his lesson like you would imagine he would. He just gets up and continues to run. He throws himself into me and anyone else, it hurts and no matter the discipline, he won't learn. We do behaviour charts and reward positive behaviour, ignore negative, we've tried bribing, yelling, screaming, smacking, excluding, talking to him about his behaviour etc etc, NOTHING WORKS. He can't sit still while watching TV, eating tea, reading books, playing with toys. He always have to be fidgeting- jumping, hopping, bouncing or similar. He's impatient and demanding. He's my 2nd child but not my youngest and it's absolutely draining on myself, his dad and his siblings. I'm home by myself with him all the time and it's just absolutely draining, I love him to bits but lately I'm dreading even spending time with him, he is just being so difficult, more so than usual. Developmentally he is doing great- can count to 40, knows and recognises the alphabet and has a extensive vocabulary, I am not concerned at all in that area.
If this is ADD, what can I do with him to calm him? Diet changes?? Stimulation? I'm desperately needing help, I am so scared that this will affect my relationship with him, I want to want to be around him, but it's so hard to enjoy it right now.
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1 Replies
I had the most perfect little boy up until the day he turned 3 years old.
Then everything changed behaviour wise.
He was a quiet happy little boy who's switch flicked.
He became very loud bouncing off the walls couldn't sit still and when he was sitting he was fidgeting. A leg was bouncing or he would make noise. And he was extremely hyperactive. I changed things in his diet specifically sugar. Which was minimal help. I had suspected ADHD early on. But had my head buried in for a bit. And thought it was discipline issues.
Until he went to kinder things finally became clear. My little boy needed help.
So I went to my GP discussed it all with him.
He sent me to a pead I had a couple of appointments with her. Close to the end of kinder.
She also was leaning toward ADHD. But she wanted him to have a term at school first. Before she diagnosed him properly.
So. He did his term at school. The teacher had written out a list of things she noticed and he had trouble with.
In which I took back to the pead at our next appointment.
Where she looked over the teachers report. And I discussed things with her further.
I was hesitant at putting him on medication. But nothing else helped.
He started on a low dose of Ritalin... Quick acting short lasting and worked his was up to a higher dose.
It did come with some side effects. But we pushed through.
After a semester and bit of school.
The medication was wearing off to early but effecting his sleep. My son was always a great sleeper. But was still up u till 12am some school nights.
So the pead changed medication to the same but to a extended release one.
So we are trying this and so far so good he is a lot more settled over a longer period of time and sleeping at a much more reasonable time.
I'm yet to speak to his teacher about what she thinks of the change. As she's away. But I'm sure it will be positive.
We are also in the process of getting assessments from an occupational therapist.
I was at wits ends with my son.
And felt I couldn't cope.
Some days are harder than others. But I stick with him as I know you will. Because our children deserve the best future possible.
Sorry my story was so long but I hope it helped.
Good lunck Mumma