4-yr.-old behavior

[roberta]

Our four-year-old grandson demonstrates behavior that concerns us, i.e., he makes himself physically sick and/or emotionally upset when he is experiencing or anticipating a stressful situation. Examples: mother gone on overnight business trip (development of serious cough), wearing new shoes to day care (stomach ache), farewell party for day care friend (temper tantrum and generally irritable), first day at day care after friend is gone (weekend-long stomach ache, fatigue and general irritability). He is often spiteful and defiant toward his mother, father and both sets of grandparents. He is bright, inquisitive, has strong verbal skills with weaker large motor coordination. His behavior at day care is exemplary. His father (our son-in-law) demonstrates the same behavior patterns and was diagnosed with A.D.D. at marriage counseling. He has not followed up with treatment. Do you see symptoms of A.D.D. in our grandson? What is our next step?

[Keegan]

hi.  i was wondering if he is daycared for full time or part time.  because, a child who is daycared full time,(i see because, i work in a daycare) needs alot of attention.  alot of kids need one on one attention and sometimes it is really hard to give that esp when they are daycared because, the ratio's.  take care.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

No, the reactions you describe are generally not associated with ADHD. Rather, if there is any organized psychological condition present, it would more likely fall within the mood or anxiety disorder categories, or in the disruptive behavior dosorder range (but not ADHD). It wouldn't hurt, and may indeed help, to pursue an outpatient evaliuation. This would yield an accurate diagnosis and help to figure out how to aproach the problems.