Just Starting our ADHD Journey

[Sassy_Apple]

Our daughter was diagnosed with ADHD just before she turned 6. We suspected that she had it at age 3, or at least I did when watching her with her classmates at a pre-school function. Her classmates were showing their parents around, activity to activity, our kiddo was a bumble bee in a bottle. Wanting to show us everything all at once, and then off again before the words "look at this" were even out of her mouth. (side note her dad, and his brother both have ADHD diagnosed in adulthood)

Now that she's in kindergarten it seems like her ADHD has exploded. Mostly at school. Oppositional behaviors with the teacher, bathroom accidents (these have been ongoing since potty training, but have gotten fewer and fewer until the last couple of months), biting herself when she gets frustrated, and just yesterday she was punching a classmate who walked in front of her. We did have one therapist who we had to fire due to him not being able to keep our daughter straight from other clients, and HIPAA violations in which he named other clients to me. We got lucky and another place we were looking into, had an opening that we start at next week. With the biting we went to her primary care who ordered a neuro-psych which is a month away, and we are still waiting to find out if we can get into OT next month.

At home we got her a yoga swing for Christmas, and it's set up in the beam in our living room and she's in so many times a day. She has dance class 3 days a week, and is part of the competition team at our local Y. She also has swim, and we'll be starting softball soon. We're trying to keep her going without overloading her and ourselves.

I'm looking for some support and advice, and things to learn to help her as best as we c an because I feel like somedays it's just frustration after frustration and we want to help her work with her amazing brain.

[Onthemove1971]

Welcome, we are exited you have joined us. When you get a chance you can read over the previous posts there will be many issues ( lying, stealing, temper tantrums, etc.) that come up and the we have been discussed.Just know we are always hereto support you when you need it.

Most children with ADHD benefit from have 3 tools: therapy, educational plan -504 plan or IEP and medication to decrease impulsive behavior.

Again welcome!

[anirush]

We did not want to start my grandson on medication that young but when he could not stay out of trouble we felt it was damaging his self esteem. On meds and counseling he excelled and got the principal's award by the time he left grade school.

[Mamamichl]

you’re doing the right things! Only things that could still be done is the genesight test to find the right meds, and get a psychiatrist to prescribe the right meds. You’re doing great! I wish I had parents that were as helpful as you.

[Sassy_Apple in reply to Mamamichl]

Thank you. Right now we're hoping therapy intervention works, but as I notice her behaviors escalating I'm thinking meds are going to become a necessity sooner than hoped. But whatever is going to help her succeed, we have our first therapy appointment on Tuesday. So we'll see. I have quite the list to discuss.

[Mamamichl in reply to Sassy_Apple]

So I did therapy 20 years before even trying med for my adhd.. The best way I can describe it is that therapy teaches skills you need to act appropriately and be more mindful, but you can’t think of using it in the moment without meds. At least that’s been my experience. The meds allow you to actually decide the actions to take rather than it being just reacting constantly and being on autopilot. The therapy tells you the more appropriate actions to take.

[WYMom]

That is a lot of activities for a 6 year old. Both my kids were exhausted by the time school was out. I really think you need to reduce the load by a lot. Activities aren't going to "fix" your kid.You sound really caring and wonderful.

[Sassy_Apple in reply to WYMom]

We're not looking to fix her with activities lol. I should have noted that these activities are not simultaneous. Right now it's dance season. Softball starts a week or two before the end of dance season. If these were all together OMGosh I think I would explode let alone my kiddo. 😆

[Momtrying]

have you talked to the school about getting a 504 or an IEP in place? You might feel better if the school administration, the school counselor and her teacher are all on the same page with you and her diagnosis. They might have some good ideas on things to help her behavior in the classroom.

When it does become time for medication, which has been a lifesaver in our household, just be patient and don’t give up if the first few tries don’t go well. It’s a real trial and error process which is hard but once you get it right it can make a world of difference. Good luck!