A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:My sister insist that my child has A.D.D. Whenever I tell her he doesn't seem to be based on the signs which I've Googled. She says I just don't want him to be. I don't want to get him tested,because there are no real test. I think a huge part of diagnosis is to get the kids on drugs,as not to bug the teachers,and he's not even in school yet,which I also feel he's too young for an evaluation. He just turned four. He's not very hyper at all he gets excited around her kids,running around trying to make them laugh etc. I don't know what to do. I don't want him to need help and not get it,but I don't want him drugged out of his head and zombie-like. He's also very creative,I don't want to hamper that. Anyone have a similar problem with their kids? Anyone with A.D.D. as a kid. How do I get the proper help He might need,and how do I get my sister to shutup?
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reader, anonymous, writes (14 October 2007): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionYou guys make this site what it is intended to be thank you.Thank you Tellulah and red I am waiting for his doc. appointment and I'll go from there thanks to all of you for your words and help.
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female
reader, TELLULAH  +, writes (11 October 2007):
 Hi,
Just wanted to add, that I know it can be a misserable time coping with this. I worked for 5 years in a playgroup, and there wre a few kids that came through with this.
Diet can also make lots of diference. All the adatives in food nowdays can be really harmfull. I didnt believe this until I tried it with my own son. He was never tested for A.D.H.D but he drove me nuts and was completly diferent to his sister, so I think he may well have suffered with it. Go to the doctor and get him checked, but also look into food. It really did help us.
And if its any consulation, my son is really smart. He is a really artistic Barber, and I wouldnt change him for the world. Even at 20 he still drives me mad sometimes, and I cant believe the energy he has. But thats just him.
Dont worry what your sister says, at least your child will never be boring.
XX
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reader, red1982 +, writes (11 October 2007):
My six year old has ADHD and I knew from a very early age that there was something different about him.
He didn't sleep very well, was always running and was never tired no matter what physical activity we did. He also didn't like to sit down to do anything. Even eating was a challenge as he would get up and down from the table throughout the meal driving everyone else crazy!
He was always very aggressive and angry and threw some terrific tantrums. He also talked non-stop until he fell asleep on the floor in front of his toys (he would never lay down in bed).
When the Dr's refused to test him for ADHD until he was at school I went out and bought some books about the condition and have also read a lot about it on the internet. It was like someone describing my child. I put into action the behaviour management plans in the books and saw a little improvement, but until the Dr's diagnosed him (because the school backed me up) and he was put on medication life was quite miserable for all of us. I actually cried at a parents evening when the teacher told me that she couldn't think of a single child she would call his friend because he was too bouncy and aggressive for the other children.
He now sleeps through the night, has made some progress in school and actually has a few friends. Life at home is a lot calmer and he is flourishing.
Everyone always says that medication will make them 'zombified' but I have not found this at all. He is still a very lively boy and has a terrific personality. Medication has really helped him. He also has a play therapist to teach him about human emotions and this is beginning to pay off too. Even if your child does have ADHD there is light at the end of the tunnel. They are not monstors and it is not caused by 'bad parenting' (quite a few people have told me that there is no such thing as ADHD I just don't know how to discipline him properly).
There are tests for ADHD but not in the way they test for other illnesses say scans or blood tests. My son saw three different Dr's, a psychologist and an educational psycologist before he was diagnosed with ADHD and then it was my decision to put him on medication. No Dr should do this without explaining everything to you.
I have explained to all of my family the problems my son has and told them that I appreciate their advice but at the end of the day he is my son and I will do what I think is right for him. They now don't interfere so much. This may work with your sister.
If you want to talk at all please do e-mail me.
Take care of yourself XXXXXX
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reader, rcn +, writes (11 October 2007):
 I'm glad your sister isn't a doctor, I could imagine how happy she'd make pharmaceutical companies. Thank you and good luck. If you want some good information on ADHD, check out CHADD.org
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 October 2007): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks a bunch for your answers! You have given me a lot to think about. Angel Dust you made me laugh you sound a lot like me. Stina very helpful as well I feel a lot better that you continue to paint and are successful,my son and I paint all the time. rcn I should be so lucky if my son turns out anything like you,thanks for putting a positive spin on something I know basically nothing about,lack of knowledge always freaks you out. I have decided to take him to his doc.and go from there. I'm on my way to Petsmart to buy my sister a muzzle. Thanks a million times guys!
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reader, anonymous, writes (11 October 2007): ADD is not something you get either you are born with it or your not.
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reader, XxAngelDust89xX +, writes (11 October 2007):
 It's sounds like you just have a very happy healthy child.
Most four year old bounce off the walls, it's what they do best. It's sounds like he just likes your sister's kids, and gets excited when he sees them because now its PLAYTIME!!! As for getting your sister to shut up , well you said it. Tell her to SHUT UP.
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reader, stina +, writes (11 October 2007):
 Hello there,
I don't know who you've been speaking with, but there are most definitly tests to find out whether or not someone has A.D.D. I should know - I went through them. You should really take him to a child psychologist to have him evaluated. If there is a real concern, it's better to have them addressed now.
Have you called any doctors about this? Have you read any books about A.D.D.? Drugs are not always a solution. There are different solutions depending on the doctor you visit. Some will perscribe medication, but some have different exercies/techniques that can be done to help with the problem.
If I were you, I'd research some of the doctors in your area. Check to see if they are reputable (maybe with your primary care physician.)
And just to let you know, I was taking adderall and nothing crazy ended up happening with me. I am a very creative person, as well, and I have been very successful as an artist. My work has been shown all over the world and my pieces have been sold in museums.
I was only on the medication between 2 - 3 years; I tried natural techniques afterward. Speak with a doctor about this! Read up on what is being done for kids with A.D.D. now. I was never hyperactive, acutally I've always been on the quiet side, but I was still diagnosed with A.D.D. Perhaps your little tot is more like me, as opposed to what seem to be the majority of kids who act loud and unruly.
So how do you get your sister to shut up? Tell her that you are handling the problem and that this is a private matter between YOUR family. Tell her thanks for caring, but you're on top of things already.
(And honestly, if you think there is no cause for concern, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. You know your little boy best, and all kids are different. Don't make you sister worry you over something that may not even be true. Educate yourself and do what can. But don't do anything that is compeltely unnecessary.)
Hope I've helped! Take care.
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reader, rcn +, writes (11 October 2007):
You're going to need at least his school history through first grade in order to come to that conclusion. Do either of his parents have A.D.D.? A majority of children who have it have at least one parent with the disorder as well.
I do have A.D.H.D. combined type. I was diagnosed at 17.
You need to let your sister know, until there is school history, even if he does, it's too early to come to the conclusion. I will tell you on the good side. As an adult with A.D.H.D., I wouldn't give it away if I had the chance too. People with this disorder are able to process complex issues and questions, much faster than those who don't have it. Our brains run at 3 to 5 times faster. It may be difficult to deal with in school, when sticking to a routing, but in the work place where multi-tasking is required. He wouldn't be stressed when most other people would be in different situations.
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