Newly diagnosed 5 y.o./tired mama

I understand your frustration . My son was 11 before he was diagnosed . I believe that therapy with a Child Psychiatrist has helped my son and my husband and I to better understand what we are dealing with. Also reading books and articles about children with ADHD has helped immensely. My son is now 13 and we have to constantly be on top of him as far as school. I stay in contact with his teachers and his Guidance councilor to make sure he stays on task. The more you understand this disorder the less frustrating it will be for you. Also look into an ADHD diet. There are certain foods that may intensify the symptoms. Artificial colors and sweetener , soda, fast foods. process foods. The more natural the better. Less sugar and more protein. These are ideas that I have been trying. My son has issues swallowing pills so I also have him chewing a supplement vitamin called Smarty Pants. It's a multivitamin with omega 3 fish oil, fiber and vitamin D3 and B 12. I hope you find some of this useful. One last thing is I pray often. Faith keeps me grounded. Good luck!

Hi! I'm exactly where you are. My son is 5 just diagnosed, although I knew from very early on that he might have it. My frustration is not having the understanding from the school system, and constantly receiving sad faces in red along with a note, and today even a write up is disheartening. My child doesn't want to be like this... instead of writing him up, help me find ways to help him 😡

I have been dealing with same issues for years. Seems like the magic number is 5. I think that is because that is when doctors will finally diagnose and prescribe meds. My little girl's issues started as an infant. Extremely fussy. Never slept. Didn't like to snuggle or cuddle and never stopped moving. Behavior through daycare years was very difficult to say the least. By the time she started kindergarten , the public school system didn't want to deal with her.She began with a behavioral therapist. Went for a year with absolutely no improvement. Doctor started her on focalin so she wouldn't get kicked out of school...was like a switch flipped...worked wonders. You have to adjust dosages through the years. Some can do the extended release, others 2 doses of quick release works better. Isn't a cure for all issues though. Still has OCD and eating disorder. Hoarding is a major problem too.She is 9 now. I'm trying to come to grips that there are more than likely be problems indefinitely. She sees both a therapist and psychiatrist and takes one 20mg.extended release focalin a day. It is critical that you get the school do an IEP for your child. Either social/ behavioral or education based, whichever applies to your situation. This opens up a ton of resources for your child. The school HAS to give them extra help and accommodations instead of them calling you at work complaining about their behavior or sending them home.YES...they can suspend or expell a kindergartener if you don't do this.

Learn more about your options. Russell Barkley's book Taking Charge of ADHD and info at the National Resource Center on ADHD (federally, not drug company, funded) at help4adhd.org are 2 options.

My son is 9 and he has inattentive or attention, whatever the term is, ADHD. I have to sit with him while he does his homework. They are attempting to teach him to work independently at school, but I just don't see that happening any time soon. I wish they could let that go and focus on making sure he is getting the concepts that are being taught. We struggle hard with him forgetting his homework. its an everyday thing. He says he tries to remember but he just can't. His teacher and I made a plan for her to check with him everyday after school ensure that he has everything, but that just doesn't happen. I have had to go beyond talking and emailing her about it and I reached out to the principle about it, but he doesn't seem to get it. All this is sooooo far outside of my comfort zone. I feel like such a broken record, and I am the squeakiest wheel out there, but what choice do I have? I have so much anxiety around all this too. I don't know how to put it down sometimes and take care of myself. It can be all consuming and I am exhausted much of the time. I just want it to end and for him to get what he needs and for people to listen to me! I see what he needs but it doesn't feel like I am being heard. All I do is muddle through this maze of uncertainty and confusion.

Hey everyone! New to the site and have not made an intro post yet but I saw this post so.....

I am a Mom with ADHD to a 5yr old girl with ADHD which only adds to I opted for a k12 online school because of her impulse and behavior. Her tantrums were getting out of hand with her hitting and spitting on me. I already prepared myself for what would happen at a brick and mortar school and decided to go with something better suited for her. I am not sure what I was thinking, we are getting through though. My meds make me a zombie so I refuse to take them and I dont want her feeling like that. We opted for trying to modify her diet and behaviors and having to sit with her during her school hours gives me the chance to tweek the teacher lead lesson to better fit her mood and ability plus if we have go take a break it allows us more flexibility because it is recorded. Once she reaches the 4th grade( if we have not killed each one another by then) lol I checked into school that specialize in nothing but ADHD/LD and Found one that is about 2 hours away. I am not sure if this might work for your family or has helped you with an answer but within the short time of her having hands on one on one and committing to behavior modification, we are seeing tiny improvements. There are so many flexible free options for online learning and most will supply you with any needed hardware. nobody in our families supports our decision but I know it was the right one for us because she needs more than what a brick and mortar school can support her with.. My parents were never proactive with mine and I do not want my child to feel that way. I am not sure how the rest of the year will go, interesting to say the least. I have spent so much time online I am thankful to have found this site. Most days between my brain and her brain, I am stressed out to the point of tears. Everything is a process and everyday gets a bit better.

I wish you the best!

impactADHD has some pretty awesome parent training and lots of other webinars and resources