I think my daughter has ADHD what next?

[Treesa777]

From what I have researched online I suspect my daughter has ADHD. She is always on the go, very bright, but 'badly behaved.' She is nearly 5yo and having problems at school, if anyone upsets her she lashes and out and attacks them. At the last parents meeting her teachers asked me if they could bring in a psychologist and I agreed, but I haven't heard anything since. Should I chase them up and wait and see what the ed psych says, or should I arrange to see the GP, (I did briefly mention to my GP when I was there with her for something else, that I thought she may have ADHD, and the Dr just nodded and didn't follow up, so I'm wondering if they'd be much use). I'm just wondering what my next step should be and what is likely to happen.

[allmymarbles]

Almost every child goes through a difficult period when everyone loses patience with him. Teachers complain, parents pull their hair out, and the child goes blithely on. I am sure that for about three years I drove my teachers nuts. They had no ADHD classification for kids like me at that time, so nature just took its course and I outgrew it.

[Sandman2]

   Kids do really have to be taught how to react to things.  It really helps to role play situations.  Just telling her not to hit, etc. if she doesn't get a chance to practice it really won't do much.  Thats one reason why the hands are not for hitting books work well.  It gives the kids other options of things to do.  It also gives the child and parent a common way to discuss options.  They are definitely worth checking out!
   Let us know how the drs appointment goes.  What kind of a doctor are you going to see?

[Treesa777]

Thankyou all. Well I had a quick word with the class teacher last night and she told me that they have been allocated all their hours for the psychologist for this year, so that, although they still intend to do it it won't happen until September. She has asked if I want to talk to them and we've arranged a meeting with her and the school senco next week.

One of my concerns is that my daughter will get a reputation as a troublemaker/bully, when she might actually be being targetted by kids that realise they'll get a reaction from her. She doesn't look for trouble, she just wants to play and while I am trying my best to instil the no violence rule into her and know she has to take responsibility for that, it doesn't seem fair that she will get blamed when she isn't the instigator, as far as I can tell. I am very firm with her about it, and she tells me every day that she will be kind to all her friends and if anyone is mean she will walk away, and I know she means it at the time, but she just seems to have an instant over-emotional reaction and can't help herself.

Meantime I have a Drs appointment later so we'll see what stems from that.

[Sandman2]

   I would probably give the school a chance.  These things do take time.  However, if the school fails to act, I would ask your gp for a recommendation of a doctor that specializes in ADHD.  A psychologist or psychiatrist is almost always a better choice then a gp.
  While you are waiting for the doctors - why not be proactive.  there are several great sets of books aimed at kids of this age.  A good example is "hands are not for hitting"  found here - http://www.amazon.com/Hands-Hitting-Ages-Best-Behavior/dp/1575420775
    And many more good ones are listed below that link.  Also, the main book I tend to recommend on this forum is - "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley.   She also has a full section of ways the school can help - 504's, IEP's, etc.

[Sandman2]

     Doctors comments might be true for ADHD, but certainly not true for ADD.

[Skyler3407723]

My 7 year old son has the exact same symptoms. I took him to a local doctor who then told me to take him to a theropestbwhk specilizes in learining disabilities who diagnosed my son with ADHD. The theropiesy can then give your child medication for it (it may be pills) to help in school to help them keep still and not be as hyper (as it seems) all the time. I hope it helps! Good luck!!!!

[forestgump]

it is very hard to get a diagnosis for adhd especialy with girls, my son has it he is now 18 and was diagnosed at age 9 but that was only because i went private as i was geting nowhere. my step daughter is showing all the definate signs at home but due to it not showing "yet" at school we are geting nowhere. It is so frustrating and i'm convinced that the government are paying doctors and so called specialists not to diagnose. the doctor we saw said adhd always comes out at school b4 the age of 7 but that isn't true as it didn't show in my son at school until he was over 9 by which time i had gone private.