5yr old not listening or following directions at home and school

[DCherry]

My 5yr old is all over the place. He only will sleep a few hours at night since 1yr old. During the day he talks allllllllll day, doesn't listen and won't follow directions he recently turned 5 in October and things are getting worse. He is just all over the place morning to night! His teacher called me so frustrated with him not following directions and only doing what he wants to do! I'm getting frustrated myself to all levels. I thought of the possibility of ADD or ADHD and had him tested at about 2 or 3 and they said No he's fine but its so frustrating. I have tried multiple discipline tactics, positive reinforcements and nothing is working. I think I should get him reevaluated.

[Sandman2]

   Completely agree with specialmom.  2 or 3 is much too early to be tested for ADHD and it should be revisited.
    Sleep deprevation will cause ADHD like symptoms.  And, "About 80% of individuals with ADHD have sleep disorders."  (Dr. Patricia Quinn)
    Has he been checked out for things that cause sleep apnea like swollen adenoids/tonsils, etc?

[specialmom]

One other thing, having him tested at 2 or 3 for add/adhd was a bit too early.  It would be hard to determine for many kids if something was add/adhd or normal young toddler behavior.  As he gets older and matures, age appropriateness becomes more of an issue to discern where he is at in terms of development.  Things like add/adhd or sensory will be more apparent in an evaluation.  I would revisit this.

Again, it could just be his sleep issue but what is causing the sleep issue?  it could all be tied together.  peace and luck to you

[specialmom]

My son has sensory issues that cause issues with sleep as well as issues at school.  He was diagnosed at 4.  It's real folks and by directing our attention to it, things GREATLY improved.

I do think sleep issues can cause massive behavioral issues, however, you need to determine if more is going on.  That's my honest opinion as a mother.

Why is he having such extreme sleep issues?  What can you do about this?  I would talk to your pediatrician about this.  My own son had issues with an overactive nervous system.  We got him a weighted blanket which he LOVES.  They sell them online.  Some kids really respond to the deep pressure.  My son also likes to 'nest'.  We put blankets all around him and even up and around his head.  This is comforting and again, kids with sleep issues often respond to this.  I don't do this but have a dear friend that uses melatonin with her son per the pediatricians advice.  It has helped him get a good night sleep.  I would not do naps as that can throw off a sleep pattern for a 5 year old.  

I agree with rockrose that a nervous system issue such as adhd/add or sensory integration disorder is often correlated to sleep issues.  We worked on our issues with my son's occupational therapist.

And guess what, he had trouble following directions and doing what the other kids were doing when in preschool.  We had the good fortune of diagnosis in the preschool years as I said, when he was 4 which led to intervention/occupational therapy that got him in a better functioning place by the time the elementary years started.  Never too late though.  I would have him evaluated.

Add/adhd does not mean medication necessarily.  But it means understanding root causes to what is going on with a child.  And then once you know those, you can work on problem solving so they can be more successful.  As I said, my son doesn't have add/adhd but it's 'cousin', sensory integration disorder (which looks a LOT like add/adhd).  he's never taken medication.  But when he struggled, we implemented a plan to help him and it worked fantastic.  he's doing great.  

Wishing you all the best and I'm here any time to help if you need it.  peace

[RockRose]

My oldest son never slept.   In my uterus he didn't sleep,  as a baby he didn't,  as a child and as a teenager,  he didn't sleep.  I literally almost never caught him sleeping.  If I'd creep into his room,  he would be wide awake,  even at 3 a.m.  or so.  He's 24 now and successful and delightful.  Even when he visits now,  if I have to slip into his room in the wee hours he sounds completely awake and says Mom what are you looking for.  He was diagnosed with ADHD as an elementary school kid but didn't take any meds after 4th grade.

I think there's something to sleepless kids and ADHD.

[DCherry]

I questioned that as well! I put him to bed at 8pm he goes maybe 1030 back up 3am and then 5 am he up for good. He may take a 20-40 min nap during the day.

[MarkLakewood3367]

The only thing that you should be getting your son evaluated for is a possible sleeping disorder.  No one can properly function on a few hours sleep a day, especially a 5 year.  Small kids need sleep as this is when they grow.  For now, drop the ADHD idea and focus on the sleep issue.