5 year old with ADHD

[surfrsar]

Hello all, I'm new here but looking for a community resource. My son just turned 5 and has ADHD. He just started kindergarten. His ADHD displays as lack of impulse control (aggression) and being unable to follow direction or concentrate. At 4 years old he was started on methlyphenidate which made a huge difference for him. He is now on a 10mg extended release which had been working well. Now that we are into the school year however, I have started to get messages from the school that he has been pinching/hitting other children. His doctor recommended another small short acting dose of methlyphenidate at noon. I feel I have very little support and guidance in dealing with his ADHD. I am more inclined to increase his long acting dose. Has anyone found helpful resources for young children that are actionable? Thank you for any and all suggestions/experiences.

[Onthemove1971]

We are really happy you have joined us.. our son was diagnosed at a similar age. Have you considered adding Guanfacine? It really helps with mood and focus. I was really scared to add another medicine, but it was really what our son needed and has changed his life, he just turned 18 years old and is still taking it.

Just know there will be ups and downs, but we are always here to support you. Most of us have been through it so reach out any time.

[surfrsar in reply to Onthemove1971]

We actually started out with guanfacine before stimulants and I found it made his aggressive tendencies worse🤷‍♀️

[LisethHIS]

Hi, surfrsar,

Welcome! Thank you for contacting CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD. We offer group support for parents of children with ADHD, and you’re welcome to join—it's free! chadd.org/affiliate-locator/We also have a course called Parent to Parent that can help you understand ADHD better and learn effective strategies to support your son. chadd.org/parent-to-parent/ Here are other resources that could be helpful- chadd.org/wp-content/upload... chadd.org/for-parents/overv... and triplep.net/glo-en/home/

If there is anything else you need, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Liseth

Healthcare Information Specialist

CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD

chadd.org

[Alt49]

my son had a terrible kindergarten. Adding guanfacine and increasing stimulants helped him a lot along with an IEP which gives him a lot more flexibility, individual attention and less stimulation (he spends half the time in a smaller class with similar children)

[Lkh144]

my 5 year old is on concerta and Guanfacine and we’ve found that helped the most.

[surfrsar in reply to Lkh144]

Thanks for this, maybe it is worth another try with guanfacine

[randomscreenname]

does your son have an IEP?

[surfrsar]

no not yet. He had been doing great but the last 2 weeks both at school and at home have been tough. We are currently adjusting medication as it’s been an incredible help to him but if the disruptions continue we may indeed ask for that

[CinnamonRaisin]

just want to say my son is 6 and I was exactly where you are last year. It was so hard. Things got better as the teachers / staff got to know my son and also our 504 had some accommodations that helped him at school . He hit a lot and it was getting him sent to the office everyday. Definitely ask the school to do an evaluation. When I did that they had 30 days to do it and the school psychologist evaluated him and SW and the school OT were involved as well. Good luck , you are doing great.

[surfrsar in reply to CinnamonRaisin]

Much appreciated!