Re: I'm An Adult With ADHD and my 4 Year-Old Is Showing Symptoms

[kc5jck]

Bryan – I completely understand your concern. First learn as much as you can about how ADHD manifests itself. (I’m sure you already know much of what I’m going to say, but I’ll say it anyway.) Everyone is different. Don’t think that he has ADHD just because you see some of the behaviors of ADHD. As he gets older, I suspect behaviors will get worse and become more or get less and perhaps go away.

I recognized a lack of attention and focus in my son, relative to his sister, before he was out of the crib. If you’re really tuned into your son and are familiar with the many faces of ADHD, you will know. You just will. And don’t be easily convinced otherwise.

Start now and keep a diary of you son’s behavior, especially those you see as ADHD related. Mention your concerns with your pediatrician and find a pediatrician who treats ADHD to evaluate you son if indicated. The diary will be quite useful for the evaluation. Also talk with other caregivers to get their impressions.

I don’t know, but I would guess that ADHD would be hard to detect/diagnose in a kid younger than three or four. I suspect there is a lot of variability. “Mental milestone” charts against which to compare your son should be useful.

My son did not get diagnosed until he was 20. So from first grade through high school and two years of college, as Barkley might say, “he had been unavailable to learn” for much of the time.

I’m sure you’ll get at least a few more responses. (Most probably better than mine.) Good luck.

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