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[JenD94]

Hello my name is Jen and my 5 year old was just officially diagnosed with ADHD. I’m hoping to find mom friends and get advice on how to help her (and myself). I also have a one year old.

[ScatteredMom]

Hi, Jen, nice to meet you. I also have 2 kids, little baby and not quite 4. I have ADHD, and I suspect my older one does, also.

In general, when very young children are diagnosed, the place to start is getting parent training for yourself, so you learn how ADHD works, how these children are different, how best to help them, and how to discipline them effectively without pushing too hard.

You can also look into some accommodations at school. What kinds of problems is she having?

[JenD94 in reply to ScatteredMom]

She’s very loud and can’t follow instructions. I think her teacher trying to help her has made her feel ostracized (she moved her to a table by herself and now my daughter doesn’t want to sit with the other kids). Her personality makes it hard for her peers to be friendly towards her so she’s come home crying a few times because kids have told her to go away. She also has some sensory difficulties and a lot of defiance. I was diagnosed with adhd as a teen.

[MomOfAMermaid]

Hello and welcome! You are in good company here. My daughter is 6 and was diagnosed with ADHD at 5 and sensory at age 4. I am continually learning about how to love and support her in the ways that are best for her - which means the strategies are generally quite challenging for me to learn, however, her special abilities not only makes me a better mom, but a better person in general. My hope is that you receive all the support you deserve! Blessings!

[JenD94 in reply to MomOfAMermaid]

Thank you. She started therapy a few weeks ago and got the officially diagnosis about a week after that. We are also starting OT soon to help with the sensory stuff and hopefully they can help her writing improve.

[MomOfAMermaid in reply to JenD94]

OT really helped my daughter with her writing and helped her to learn about what her body needs (physical activity, swimming, etc) and how she can ask for what she wants/needs