Son w/possible ADHD entering Kindergarten

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We recently enrolled our son who just turned 5, in Catholic School. He will begin in August and we are so afraid. He has been through several pre=schools and seems to be unable to get along within a big group. It is like he has social anxiety. We have had him to several doctors, after him being kicked-out of pre-schools and each says something a little different. Some say he has Oppositional Defiance Disorder, some say ADHD, depression and more.

He has hit and kicked many, many kids, teachers and other authority figures. He will not participate in any projects in school, runs out of the schools, refuses to follow any instructions, is quite mouthy, etc. Yet, he is very intelligent. He is an only child and he has been around adults( mainly,) most of his life. Unfortunately, I think that could be part of his problem. We(his parents) were both in our mid-40's when we had him, therefore, do not really have friends with kids his age.

He has caused both of us to lose jobs, due to pre-schools constantly calling us to pick him up, and him being kicked out of schools. We have tried therapy, psychiatrists, books, videos, etc. At this point, he is completely tearing us apart.

A 5 year old is ruling our house as well as destroying our relationship and any relationship he had with any child.

Any suggestions ?

Desperate for help

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Parent Replies to "Son w/possible ADHD entering Kindergarten"

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My son was diagnosed as being developmentally delayed. I would suggest trying to get in the exceptional childrens program its great my son had issues like getting along with others and expressing his feelings. i A sorry to hera his dad is no help thats not good for him but I still think that the exceptional childrens program would help him. Maybe ask about a learning connection class its a smaller class of students and they get a lot of one on one from the teachers! I know that my son may not have had the same diagnosis as your son but still seems they both have had some of the same symptons! i hope that I have helped you! My son is in a learning connection class and has had the same teacher since Kindergarten hes now entering the 2nd grade and is doing great! I would definitely see about this its great!!1

According to seminars that I've attended, featuring speakers such as doctors and other professional experts on children's mental health concerns, kids with ODD almost always have a diagnosis of ADHD first, but not all kids with ADHD have the more profound problems of ODD.

Like Michellea, my son has ADHD, and after a couple of years of using other approaches, we agreed to a medication trial, but did not tell the teacher we were doing it. (It was the week before parent-teacher conferences) and when we went in for the regular meeting and asked how things were going, she identified the exact days his focus and attention and quality of work were improved, without knowing why.
I do not believe my son would be in college today, were it not for the multimodal approach which includes using medication, for his ADHD. While they may not help 100% of the people, the vast majority of individuals with ADHD can benefit.

While I don't have a child with ODD, I do have a child with ADHD and some severe LD.

We manage his environment, implement predictable routines and help teach him the compensatory strategies to overcome his challenges. That said, medication has provided the most dramatic relief for his inattention. Mind you, he has no behavior problems - so I cannot speak for ODD behavior. But, I am glad that I overcame my reluctance to medication for ADHD.

Studies have shown that for the vast majority of people, medication is the single most effective treatment for ADHD. I would urge parents to be open-minded and seek expert medical advice from a psychiatrist or developmental neurologist for treatment of ADHD and related conditions.

Children with ODD need structure and consistancy. Be firm and follow through! I have one with ODD and have been in counsling for some time and the one thing these kids will do is push buttons just because, no medications here. Be firm! Follow through and you will be fine!
Good Luck,

Nittany, I know you said at the end of May that the doctor suggested different medications, and you were ready to try them. Have you done that yet?

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