is it ADHD

[beth_bc]

hello dear,
     i have a son whose in kindergarten right now..he is now 4 1/2 yrs old.. at the 1st quarter of the school year he was fine. even his grades was ok.. the teacher even said that he was polite and quiet. but during the 2nd quarter he began to show some tantrums and hyperactivities.. he likes to play even during lesson time..and you have to keep on repeating many times the directions before he can understand it. he's having a hard time on focusing and sitting still. he keep on uttering words like making a noise during quiet time in classroom and when the teacher starts the lesson.. if you really enforce the rules on him he's going to cry...he seems to be disturbed if the direction is given by the teacher addressing to the class..he has to be on one-on-one session inorder for him to follow the directions and finish his work...he is so playful in the classroom..he's not destructive.. just so noisy in school and likes to play always..
   at home he likes to watch tv..always cartoon movies.. and likes to mimic the characters on the tv.. he seems not listening when im asking something..he doesn't want me to keep on talking and talking and asking him about school activities...
  lately we tried to adjust his time watching tv..and we did it..but we have to be with him just to keep him busy with something like drawing and painting..or playing with his toys..there should be me or my husband to be with him just to keep him busy.. he always play with uttering words and keep on repeating until becomes so noisy..sometimes i can see that he is like on dreaming or remembering something he saw on the tv and trying to mimic it.. but he likes puzzle and to draw anything..
  hope you can help how to sort this out..i dont know if i have to bring him to see the psychologist or i have to wait for another year.
    

[Sandman2]

   In California, you have to be 5 on or before Dec. 2 to start Kindergarten.   Maybe you are talking about a pre-school?  How long does the school day last?  If it is a full school day (Till 1 or 2 for the little guys), that would be very difficult.  So yes, if it is a regular kindergarten, your child is developmentally way to young and that would explain a lot of the behaviors you are seeing.
   Also most things like ADHD don't suddenly start up during the second quarter of school.  They typically will be noticed by the teacher by the second week, and many times during the first day of school.
  I am also wondering if he has had any changes in diet or bedtime that could explain some of these behaviors?

[specialmom]

Hello,  this is just my opinion and only that.  Your son is very young for kindergarten.  He must be one of the youngest in the class.  Most kids are 5 before the enter kindergarten with the majority turning 6 during the school year.  This can make a big difference in maturity level and developmental abilities.  He may just not be ready for the enviroment yet.  This is a real possibility with your son.

Many many many kids don't want to talk about their day or act like they can't remember anything.  My son did this all last year.  This year at 5 going on 6, he recites his whole day unless he is super tired.  A mom on the street with the same age kid says hers won't share any info at all.  That is not unusual at 4.  

I think that is good you have turned off the television and are doing things with him.  Most kids at that age want to be with mom and dad and want them to be part of what they are doing,in my opinion.  I know that you can't always do it and would like to encourage him doing an activity on his own.  I would suggest starting the activity with him, spending 5 minutes and then say, I'll be back after I do these dishes or whatever.  Then go back and spend some more time.  Then say, I'll be right back after I make the bed or whatever.  If you get him started, check in with him often, and do some of your own things----  he will probably be okay with that.  I would try to get some time doing physical things.  Try to run around outside, go to a park, etc.  

He is too young to diagnose with ADD/ADHD.  That's just my opinion.  I would see how things go and allow his school to evaluate him.  If you feel the problem is continuing or getting worse, then a child psychologist would be smart.  (by the way, my son  has something that looks like ADD/ADHD but isn't, it is sensory integration disorder which also affects the nervous system.  It is diagnosed by an occupational therapist and treated differently.  Be sure to google this as well as it can look similar).  Good luck