Possible adhd please help me

[katie7788]

PLEASE HELP

My 3.5 year old boy has been having severe behaviour problems for the past 12 months, it started when his brother was born and at first we though it was jealousy. During this time we moved him to a new school with a smaller class and an amazing teacher. The school has been working with us hand in hand for the past few months and despite everything we can possibly do to help my little boy he still is having problems. The issues are now not behaviour but rather manic hyperactivity, very emotional, and an in-ability to concentrate on anything or work alone for longer than 4 minutes. Although I know it is far to early to tell if he does have ADHD he has all of the symptoms and it is the one thing both the school and my husband and I think it might be,

I just want to know has anyone been through the same? Can you recommend who we should call or talk to?

I am beyond desperate and sad and any help will save me right now

[carang]

you could try getting an assessment by caleb knight. he's an educational psychologist. expensive, but knows his stuff.

[Papaya]

Personally I would try a few options that could help without harming or labeling him.

I would see a homeopath who can give him a constitutional remedy. From the perspective of homeopathy, the birth of his brother could have triggered a long term issue that a remedy may be able to bring improvements to.

I would also look into food intolerances. You can do some research online, gluten in particular can contribute or even cause difficult behaviour. Trying a strict gluten free diet for a couple weeks should at least help you rule that out.

I would also go to a osteopath who may be able to release a blockage if that is part of the issue.

[chopstick]

3,5 years old and going to school? NEED to concentrate? WHY ? He is only a little boy. Spent time with him, take him out to the zoo, wetlandpark etc, let him explore his world with you, organize outdoor playdates. Homeopaths, Osteopaths all fine .. but realize he is only 3,5.
Let him lose his energy by playing outside, let him learn by doing things rather than by sitting in a classroom. Take him with you to the supermarket (yes, they do have tantrums there too, and yes thats would make you feel very uncomfortable, just keep in mind that ALL those people staring and shaking their heads in one way or the other had to to deal with situations like that at one point. either they did gave there mums a hard time when they where young and they don't recall or there kids did it or will do it ... :). Let him try to find certain products, tell him where they come from make it fun and most important, tell him how well he does it.
I'm a mother of two little boys (2 and 4). And trust me, every mother has her worries, and maybe you are right, and your son is different from other kids but so what? Instead of being worried you might try to just be happy and enjoy being a mum of a very active emotional boy.
I Know in HK you get remarks about your child's behavior all of the time. Until about 2,5 all kids are "oh so cute" and everyone loves smile at them and give them loads of attention. Than around 2,5 they are suddenly not cute anymore unlessss they sit up strait be quiet, know at least 2 languages, play the piano etc etc... Is that realistic? Well yes, for some kids it is, for some it is just not.
Some kids are way more emotional than others what you call "severe behavioral problems" is just how 3.5 year olds boys can be. Horrible, Loud, highly irritating, busy and all of those things. Accept him for what he is, don't try to change him.
You will only give him the idea that he is not good enough the way he is. That might only make his behavior "worse".
He will feel your frustration and it will make him insecure.
Don't tell him what he does wrong (in your eyes) but show him what it is that makes him such a great person.
Showing his emotions is a good thing- he might turn out to become a great artist, don't want to concentrate? maybe he is just not that interested in the things he is asked to do? He might just want to "learn by doing" - he could become a great explorer.
Why not cherish him for what and who he is and please don't try to change him...or try to find out what is "wrong" rather show him how to cope with different situations in a way that suits him as a little person.

My oldest son just turned 4. we went to Amsterdam to see how Dutch schools would be. He spent 1,5 month there and he loves it! Plays outside every day -rain or shine- has gymnastic classes, goes the forrest and petting zoo etc etc..And guess what? His teacher finds him very well behaved he concentrates very well and is a joy to have around -( qualities that i sometimes find hard to see:)...Oh and there are at least 100 little boys like yours in his school, do all off them have 'severe behavioral problems?'

[carang]

while i don't agree with all of your post, chopstick, i DO agree with "don't want to concentrate? maybe he is just not that interested in the things he is asked to do?"

my daughter has always had "sometimes" ticked off for concentration in her school handbook and on her report cards. she's 5 and has always been ahead of the curve. hubby and i are convinced that her lack of concentration is ONLY because she concentrates completely until she masters something. the second she masters it, she moves on and wants a new challenge. whereas, the teachers repeat, repeat, repeat. i'm sure she is just bored with some of the stuff they do.
eg: she's known her days/numbers/alphabet/months since she was 17 months. spoke in paragraphs by 20 months.

in some ways, i think she would be better in a less traditional school, except that she would lose out on the cantonese that she is learning (and is pretty fluent) at school.

as for keeping kids out of school.... for many in hk, that isn't an option. the pressure to get into primary school is immense and many parents feel it necessary to "train" their kids in kindergarten so that they can get into a "good" primary school

[howardcoombs]

Homeopathy is pure scam. Avoid it and keep your money for better and more productive therapies: http://www.quackwatch.org/01Quackery...ics/homeo.html

If you suspect ADHD there are basically 2 choices :
1) diagnosis and medication : there are a number of very good doctors in Hong Kong that can help with tests, diagnosis followed by medication. I'm not sure if any of them would actually prescribe medication for that young age...
2) just deal with it with calming exercises, change of play and other methods. Google around the internet and you will find a very large amount of information out there.

[Margaret09]

Hi Katie7788
It sounds like you have concerns about your son's behaviour.
There is a psychologist who visits HK once or twice a year & gives talks about the 'spirited' child & how to guide their behaviour. I believe she is next here in early May.
This is her website
http://www.louiseporter.com.au/
I wish you the best of luck

[evelyne]

I think it is true partly at least that little boys are active and emotional. Spending lots of time outdoors and doing sports could help as an outlet for all the energy.

I do also think homeopathy can help for behaviour issues.

Let us know how you get on, this is not easy.