need advice for my 5 year old....

[djmoma28]

I have a 5 year old son who has just been diagnosed with adhd he just started kindergarten and he is not adjusting very well he trys to run out of the school. at lunch time he crawls underneath the lunch table and wont come out in his clasroom he will roll around on the floor not listen to the teacher trys to talk to the other children when his teacher is trying to teach a lesson. the school calls me everyday to come get him because of his behavior i just started him on his medicine on friday to see how it works for him idk what else to do at home he does ok he gives me promblems sometimes when i tell him to do something or he dont want to do it he is  spoiled child i know that so im trying to fix it now i dont use corpal punishment i try to put him in the corner for 5 minuties each minute for his age or i take things away but he still misbehaves if anyone could plese give me advice on anything to do it would be appreciated thank you!

[specialmom]

Hi there.  I so agree with the above post that spoke of sensory processing disorder or sensory integration disorder.  My son has this and was diagnosed at 4.  Guess what, he ran out of rooms, would roll around on the floor during circle time and occasionally would go under a table ----  among other things.  

Okay, let me back up a minute.  I first wanted to say that you should not feel alone.  MANY kids have a tough time transitioning into kindergarten.  Kids come to that first year of "real" school in many stages of development.  

Now, onto an adhd diagnosis.  In my area, physicians are very hesitant to give a adhd diagnosis before the age of 6 because of such variability in kids and things like impulse control before that age.  And so very often adhd is confused for sensory integration disorder.  Both involve the nervous system and can have similar symptoms at times.  My boy's issues were much much greater in preschool than they were at home which is common for a sensory kid.  We had our son observed and evaluated by an occupational therapist who then diagnosed him.  He does occupational therapy and I just can't tell you how much it has helped!!  

What has worked the best to keep my child 'regulated' is what they call "heavy work" in the occupational therapy world----  which is really heavy exercise and muscle work.  We go to the park and run, jump, climb, swing, roll down hills, etc.  He rides his bike and scooter.  We swim.  We jump on any trampoline we can fine.  Kicking soccer balls, hitting a punching bag, playing hop scotch, wrestling, etc.  are just a million things that sensory kids find help calm their nervous system.  The more we do it, the better he maintains in school.  We also worked on behavioral strategies to help him cope when he is overwhelmed.

A good web site is "sensory Processing disorder/spd" to describe what I am talking about.  Take a look and see what you think.  

Running out of the room is a base level reaction the nervous system has of 'fight or flight".  Going under a table is a coping mechanism to calm oneself as enclosed spaces feel safer.  Rolling on the floor is a nervous system that is either craving contact and the floor gives it or an under active nervous system that needs some physical activity to provide input.

I do wish you lots of luck. My son is now 7 and doing really really well.  There are many great things you can do to help our kids these days.  Please let me know if I can help in any way.

[margypops]

And anti oxidents Vit C and B complex have been shown to work aswell as Ritalin .

[skepticalpeach]

If they keep calling you to come get him when he acts out they are only encouraging the behavior. He has learned that if he wants to go home all he has to do is behave badly. The school needs to learn how to calm him down and deal with children who aren't perfect. Each school is supposed to have a social worker that they work with. Try and get their name and speak to them. See if you can get an IEP or some sort of advocate to come help him while he is at school.

Personally, I wouldn't give a child mind altering medication unless there weren't any other options. Diet, fish oil, and therapy can do wonders all on their own! Also a positive can-do attitude from all caregivers helps!

[Sandman2]

   Sounds like you got the meds from a pediatrician who gives meds but not much else.  You really need a lot more information since working with an ADHD child is very different than a kid without ADHD.  I could go on for pages on what to do.  But, I think it would be easier on both of us if you buy the book,  "The ADD/ ADHD Answer book," by Susan Ashley.   Not only will it give you lots of things to do at home, but it will also show you how to work with the school so that it is more effective at helping him.
  I monitor the ADHD forum, so if you have any further questions about meds, etc. feel free to post over there too.  Best wishes.

[margypops]

II would do some research regarding the meds he has been given the side effects can be pretty hard ..It does sound as if the school could be more accommodating in the way they handle him .

[tiredbuthappy]

I know he was diagnosed with ADHD, but crawling under tables and rolling around on the floor tells me that he may have sensory processing disorder (or sensory integration disorder). I strongly urge you to look it up. If it is that, the ADHD meds won't make much of a difference.

Also, if your child has a diagnosis, I would think the school would need to make accommodations. If he does have ADHD, sending him home won't modify his behaviors. Is the school aware of his diagnosis?