what age do they diagnose adhd?

[mich97]

i have a 5 y.o. (just turned 5) who has language delays,mild sensory issues, and is very hyperactive..he has trouble in preschool listening,attending to his work,does better w/ help from aide,sometimes needs motor breaks (jumping on trampoline) at home he is very social w/ kids but has so much energy sometimes it's like he can't stop moving, he annoys other kids(sometimes) b/c he gets in their face,plays rough etc..some days are better then others and he plays well..some days he's not in one time out,other days he's so off the wall he's in 20 time outs a day..i notice he behaves better if he has a busy day and is outside getting a lot of his energy out running around..when it's a rainy day my husb and i cringe b/c we know he's going to be a handful if we don't keep him busy..

he has been seen by the pediactric neurologist(twice,and we see her again in Nov.) and does not think he is on the autism spectrum..she told me to think about adhd (did not want to diagnose him at this point) he has made wonderful progress w/ his speech and the neurologist is optimistic he can catch up to his peers..

i know that his speech is impacting his education but clearly so is his difficulty attending,easily distracted at school and unable to sit still is also impacting his education too(enters kindergarten in sept)..he has been able to control himself better 2nd year of preschool vs the first year but it's still an issue..i'm not sure what i should do at this point,if i should push for another eval. and a diagnoses..or wait and see?some say he's still young they diagnose adhd at age 7? at this point if he did get a diagnoses i'm not sure i'd put him on medication being so young..i guess just out of fear and not knowing much about medication for adhd..i think of him as too little...
my son is quite the puzzle w/ the language delays,sensory issues, possible adhd?? any advice would be appreciated :)

[phil52]

From what I have read and been told by my doctor, there is no age regarding ADHD.  I do know that hyperactivity is reduced in adulthood, where the physical symptoms go away,but yet, one's mind still is hyper.  Previously, ADD drugs were not allowed to be given to adults.  It was though of as a child disorder.  That is not the case these days. To date, I do not think there are any real diagnostic techniques to prove that one has ADD/ADHD/ADD/ADHD. Everyone is different.  If one feels they need to try a medication, in my opinon, it would not be amphetamine, such as Adderall.  Contrary to popular belief, ritalin ( methlypenadate) is not classified as an amphetamine.  Adderall is an amphetamine.  Try going easy, do your homework, and meds do work.  Just do the homework, and know what you are doing. Some people with ADD in adulthood can function without meds, but ritalin turned my life around for the better at age 52.  Thx.

[jayncandi]

My son was diagnosed at age 4 and we began meds.  Like you I am concerned about having him on meds so young.  But his impulsive behavior was a danger to himself and others.  And without meds, he spent most of his days getting in trouble and was beginning to see himself as a "bad boy."

We are still seeking other treatments, hopefully to substitute meds, but at least to use
in combination with them.  Being one of 4 boys, it is hard to implement diet changes but we try.  We are also seeing a chiropractic neurologist who is working to remedy the imbalance in his brain.  I see meds as a bandaid on a bullet hole really.  When he has them he is wonderful, but when he doesn't he is OUT OF CONTROL.  So early AM and any time after 4pm, it is back to life as usual around here.  
Anyway, he has been on 3 different meds in the last 8 months.  So it definately takes some manipulating to figure out which are the right ones.  For us, we began with the lowest possible dose available and have attempted to maintain that.  He began on 10mg of ritilan, increased to 15mg.  That was great for a while, but the rebound was bad.  So we switched to a time release formula in Concerta 18mg but that one gave him some strange motor tics, so we are now on Focalin XR 10mg.  We also give him days off each week on the weekends when my husband is home and can help me.

This was the hardest decision we have ever had to make and the most useful thing I can tell you is knowledge is power.  I have devoted the last year to studying about ADHD, its causes and different treatment options available.  I want my son to have the best quality of life possible and if meds turns out to be the answer, then so be it.  But I will not stop searching for an alternative until I have exhausted every other avenue.  You've made a great step in coming to this forum.  There are a lot of great people here that can answer your questions from experience instead of clinically.  Best wishes to you and your son and God bless you both.

[musicmama]

My son was very similar to yours at his age.  He was adopted at age 6.  We had him as foster parents at age 5.  He was extremely hyper.  He was in the principal's office every day his first year of kindergarten.  My son had speech problems and developmental delays.  We figured most of this was due to his history, and trying to cope with it.  Looking back, I wonder if his ADHD didn't affect his ability to catch language and learn to speak properly.  His doctor at age 5 refused to put him on medication.  We were struggling with his rage as well as constant business.  We finally went to another doctor who put him on ritalin.  

If you opt for medication please start him on it where you can watch to make sure he doesn't have a reaction.  Both of my sons had a reaction the with their first ADD/ADHD medication.  Sometimes it takes a bit to figure it out.

I have heard of some extreme cases where children were put on the meds at 3.  You seem cautious, and you won't abuse the meds.  It also sounds like your doctor is willing to try the meds with your son.  I think it is important to find what helps before the child's self esteem and spirit are not crushed.

Good luck and God Bless.