5 year old with ADHD: Hello all, I'm... - CHADD's ADHD Pare...

CHADD's ADHD Parents Together

24,311 members6,376 posts

5 year old with ADHD

surfrsar profile image
10 Replies

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.

Written by
surfrsar profile image
surfrsar
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
Onthemove1971 profile image
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 profile image
surfrsar in reply toOnthemove1971

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

LisethHIS profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Lkh144

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

surfrsar profile image
surfrsar in reply toLkh144

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

randomscreenname profile image
randomscreenname

does your son have an IEP?

surfrsar profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
surfrsar in reply toCinnamonRaisin

Much appreciated!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

my 5 year old with adhd

my child got diagnosed with adhd 2 months ago. He was extremely aggressive, anxious child who was...
123adhd profile image

ADHD and my 5 year old

My 5 yo has a new diagnosis of ADHD/ADD as well as compulsive and anxiety d/o. He is taking a very...
emti2522 profile image

5 year old son we suspect has ADHD

Hello , I'm new to this and i'm looking for some advice. We have suspected for a couple of year...
cleaningfairy profile image

Medication for 16 year old with ADHD

Hi All, My son is 16 and has combination type ADHD. He takes small dose of Dyanavel each morning....

5 Year Old Boy With ADHD

Hello everyone, I was recommended to visit this page in the hopes of not feeling so alone in my...

Moderation team

See all
JamiHIS profile image
JamiHISAdministrator
zlib profile image
zlibPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.