My 6-year-old son's teacher asked me to come and observe the struggles he's having in the classroom, because her methods of intervention aren't working. I went for 3.5 school days to see his whole routine on different days. He has ADHD (hyperactivity-impulsivity), and if he's not making noises with his mouth or with whatever he's holding, he's rocking and moving his body in some way. He's not trying to be disruptive, but it very much is when you're trying to get other first graders to stay focused. I feel for this teacher, because my husband and I have felt the guilt mangled with our frustration throughout his life. At some point, the correction he gets for the noise and movement turns into white noise of his nonstop brain and body, and he appears to be defiant. (Sometimes he is, don't get me wrong.)
I've offered to come spend time up at the school to help him stay focused and teach him to work his energy out in better ways, but I'm wondering if any of you have littles and what tricks you have for setting your kiddo with ADHD up for success. He's at a school that we love, but as a private school, they don't really have default services. Everything I've read says it's best when parents are the ones providing the support anyway.
I'm in the process of looking for parent training from a psychologist in my area, as well as occupational therapy tricks for settling down his little body. We're not scared of going the medication, but since I have ADHD and take medication for it, I know medication is not a magic fix.
Anyone have any good resources?
Grateful!
- L
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LivyKatie
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Mine is 6 too, we needed a strategy as early as kindergarten and then started medication over the summer before 1st so I am sharing some things we have done in school.
Mine needs to move around and take breaks so they gave him some jobs like pushing a cart and delivering paper. We eventually got an IEP in place and pushed for another energy burn activity since they dont have PE daily so he gets an extra recess.
He is inattentive and hyperactive but mostly we were having inattentive issues where they thought be didnt know anything because he was not trying to do much. They did some sort of reward chart as well and implemented visual timers. The timers seemed to really work.
I have had a lot of help and direction with this from our school's psychologist. Our school partners with a public school for services, but the need is determined by the neuropsych testing results. These results also identified lagging skills which are worked on during play therapy and at home.
I hadn't thought about getting my school connected to public school services. That's brilliant and would only benefit the school... Right?? We don't have a psychologist on staff, but I know our family isn't the only one needing this type of service. We are in play therapy with him and our LFMT as well as trying many different things at home. We're looking forward to working with the psychologist who diagnosed him for more guidance. His current therapist is incredible, but this is going to take a village. Thanks for this idea!
Is he involved in any sports? At that age my daughter was doing something (dance, gymnastics, swimming, etc.) every day of the week. That helped her use some of the extra energy. When her activities took a break for a week or two, I couldn't believe how disregulated she became!
He has basketball and Taekwondo, both of which happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays and his games are on Saturdays... Having him active on every night of the week is probably a good idea. I've seen that his attitude changes if he gets home and we have a "chill night"- it's kind of like "pick your poison"-- Have something every night of the week *or* have a grumpy guy whose whole disposition changes when it's too quiet and calm. So much compassion for him... This is a good idea.
My grandson's teachers had different strategies. Some put him at the front where they could try to keep him focused. One teacher gave him a desk in the back corner and he was allowed to stand up and move around a bit as long as he did not distract others.He could do tests in the counselors office. His fidgeting world not distract others and he could take breaks. These were all in his IEP
You are lucky you have him in a private school and that you were allowed to observe.
I can hear you about the medications. I think especially with the stimulants adults or older teenagers are much more aware and able to manage the side effects whereas small children can’t. My son when diagnosed was started on stimulants and it was 8 months of a nightmare (until psychiatrist agreed to swap to Atomoxetine). From my son’s experience stimulants aren’t working on those ‘body movements’ that you mention- my son got worse, he couldn’t actually stand still. Also his vocal stuff got worse- he does like hip hop and let’s say in the loo he’d be rhyming etc, but on stimulants it just really got bad, he was talking/singing all the time- like on the way walking to school, not in the class but definitely at home. Also he developed various tics and started self harming his fingers. For example rocking- on stimulants he couldn’t even sit still, he would rock back and forth. And he had a terrible ‘rebound effect.’
However since we swapped to Atomoxetine I never looked back. He is happy, he eats and sleeps well and his body is in his control- he still rocks on a chair at school but teacher said that many kids do. He still does his talking/ singing in the loo😄but that’s fine at home, I just make sure I prompt him to come out when he’s there for too long. I’d say also look up Cyproheptadine - it was first used as an antihistamine but it’s an antidepressant and appetite stimulant, has sedative effect as well. I read it can be used in Tourette’s off licence and in various movement disorders such as ataxia etc. Ask your child’s doctor and do some reading in medical journals.
With Atomoxetine my child’s doctor was asking if he developed some weird movements of body - so it might be that there is that side effect risk? My son doesn’t have any of it, in fact now he really is in control of his body. No tics, he can stand still on the spot (well not too long) but it’s just soo much better now.
As for supporting child I personally disagree that the best interventions are those delivered by parents. In my son’s case everything I suggest and do he will dismiss (if he thinks it involves work, he loves fun stuff only😄), so let’s say the rewards chart or me trying to work with him to catch up in maths etc- everything is a ‘no’. In September we started weekly home tuition in maths for him and even though the tutor is not a professional teacher - she is very good, I gave her behavioural strategies recommendation sheet which we got from my son’s specialist ADHD nurse practitioner and the sheet explains which strategies works with ADHD kids. For the tutor he does everything - he is focusing on maths, he is responding to the chart. I wish I got him a tutor years ago- we have had years of power struggles where he’s say no to me in everything which involves ‘work’. I honestly didn’t like my own child… We are rebuilding this relationship since he is on Atomoxetine.
Perhaps have him evaluated for Autism? He may have a lot of stimming and sensory overload going on, and occupational therapy might be a support that would be helpful for that.
Hello, I also have a 1st grader with adhd combined type. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends Parent training, medication management, and an IEP or 504 plan at school. My kiddo would NOT be as successful as he is without all 3 of these in place.
For my son, adding on a stimulant and a non stimulant changed his world for the better. Sometimes it takes some time to find the right combo but when you do it's a game changer. My son is very impulsive and hyperactive so OFF meds he was very disruptive in class.
For parent training I highly recommend ADHD dude Ryan Wexelblatt. He has a website for parent training. We have seen really great improvements in following his advice.
As for school, his IEP is vital for his success as well. He gets 2 brief scheduled movement breaks per day and if he feels he needs another one its written in that he can take a quick walk around the school (inside lap) and then rejoin the class. We also have in place that if he earns all of his points for the day for staying on track (completing all class work) he gets to help the gym teacher put out all the big cones for parent pick up at end of day. Lastly, for my kiddo the lunch room currently is just to much stimulation so he gets to choose 2 lunch buddies and they eat together in the big commons area. This has been excellent for him socially as well as staying regulated.
At home, we have set expectations for doing school work and allowed screen time. If he chooses not to complete work (work through his non preferred tasks) then HE is choosing to not have his nintendo switch or iPad for the night. We pretty much have zero days now of him fighting us on doing work. He also has several chores he is responsible for such as feeding the dogs, unloading the dishwasher, bringing up trash cans, etc. It helps builds his confidence and shows him that he is capable and teaches him responsibility 😊
Is there any possibility of a little exercise prior to school? I agree they definitely need to get the energy out. I noticed with my child if I dropped him a hefty walking distance from the school entrance as opposed to the sidewalk, he arrived to school better prepared to focus. It changed by lunchtime by the teachers said the additional walking helped him. Other than that it sounds like you are one the right track. There is alot of useful information on here and agree with all the OP especially SurvivorFan.
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Thanks for this idea! 
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