4 year old kicked out

↑ thatworn ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:27 pm

amother OP wrote:

what therapies did you find helpful?

UNfortunately, with therapists coming and going from the therapy agency we use, and with him being kicked out of school, and with us taking him out of the next school he attended,(he was then seeing therapists at the school) he's had patchy talk/play therapy.
OT was kind of helpful. We've had OTs come to the house before, he's had in school, but as he got older (he's now 8), he was resistant to seeing a female therapist and also resistant to going out during class time. I feel like to get a good picture of what's going on, you really need to work with people who can see your son at school and at home and let them try and work out what's they think is going on.

amother

Wine ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:27 pm

Just because your child can do preferred activities with focus does not mean they don't have ADHD or problems with inattention. We make the diagnosis based on one's ability to stay focused on less preferred interests and activities. Don't rule out ADHD yet.

amother

↑ Wine ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:30 pm

amother OP wrote:

Hi,
I'm looking for advice with the following scenario.
My 4 year old is an adorable kid who been behaving very difficult lately, think since sukkos ish. He used to be the most well adjusted and chilled kid Sad

Now, at home he tantrums and fights with his siblings. In school he just acts very veeeery silly and disturbs the class to the point that he was sent to the principal today. He didn't care, just continued to be silly until eventually he got bored and was finally quiet and allowed to be let back in to class.
The school is being amazing, but they're at their wits end, as am I.
At home he is able to sit and color or listen to a story or tape for hours so its not a focus issue.
He is fine academically and socially. It seems to just be an impulse + lack of regulation but extreme.
I had him tested for PANDAS, mono, lyme- all negative. ASO was slightly elevated but not enough for PANDAS.
I am getting him evaluated for OT.
Any advice? Or encouragement that it's something he may grow out of?
Thanks Smile

Does not sound like PANDAS symptoms.

↑ thatworn

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:33 pm

And from my experience as an early childhood teacher:
1. All teachers are different, What one can handle, another may not be able to.
2. At two, at three and at four, classrooms are generally run very differently. What was acceptable at two or three stops being acceptable at a certain stage.

So with a combination of these things, it does make sense that a child could have have behaviours that were within range of normal one year, or with a specific teacher and by the next year, with a different teacher, these behaviours could become problematic.

amother

↑ Thistle ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:45 pm

amother OP wrote:

So interesting! Do you have experience with this (a kid being diagnosed with PANDAS without high ASO)?
Would motrin and benadryl be given together? Won't benadryl make him sleepy?
Thanks!

My child happened to have elevated titers which the Dr still dismissed as insignificant but when we went to a pandas specialist they diagnosed them based on presentation and history.

The official diagnostic guidelines clearly state that titers are not enough of an indication.

Benadryl can make them drowsy I'd give it at night. Or you can try a non drowsy anti histamine like Claritin or zyrtec for the same effect.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:46 pm

thatworn wrote:

totally.
Im concered because im seeing changes at home as well...

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:48 pm

amother Thistle wrote:

so motrin every 4-6 hours and benadryl at night?

amother

↑ Thistle ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:49 pm

amother OP wrote:

so motrin every 4-6 hours and benadryl at night?

Yes I would do motrin every 6 hours and try for dye free because a lot of kids react behaviorally to the dye and that will confuse things

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 2:50 pm

amother Wine wrote:

100%
Im just trying to explore all my options.
If anyone had an ADHD child at this age, what helped?

amother

Brass ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:00 pm

amother OP wrote:

100%
Im just trying to explore all my options.
If anyone had an ADHD child at this age, what helped?

Nothing really, just waiting until he was a drop older and I was comfortable giving medication to help curb the impulsivity.

amother

↑ Wine ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:02 pm

amother OP wrote:

100%
Im just trying to explore all my options.
If anyone had an ADHD child at this age, what helped?

Children as young as 4 can be prescribed ADHD meds- usually only done in pretty extreme situations. But getting kicked out of school is not good. More typical starting at ages 5-7. I think you should speak with your pediatrician. Especially if you have a family history of ADHD- very genetic. Get an eval at a developmental clinic. Look for a very structured preschool that does well with high energy kids. PCIT is also a very effective behavioral therapy at this age. Hatzlacha!

amother

↑ Wine ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:08 pm

amother OP wrote:

so motrin every 4-6 hours and benadryl at night?

Please don't give your child a ton of motrin and benedryl without speaking to a doctor! These really do not come across as pandas symptoms at all. Benedryl is also known to cause irritability in children- may make your situation a lot worse.

amother

↑ Starflower

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:08 pm

amother OP wrote:

How did you get your dr on board? was it his idea? or did you push for it?
Thanks!

I pushed for it. Strep was elevated in his blood. Just not high enough for pandas.

amother

↑ Brass

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:14 pm

amother OP wrote:

100%
Im just trying to explore all my options.
If anyone had an ADHD child at this age, what helped?

Being labeled as the "bad boy" or the "boy who has to go to the principal every day" or the "off the wall bonkers kid" can have long term effects on your sons self image and his behavior going forward. I would probably reach out to some experts and schedule an evaluation to figure out a plan.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:18 pm

amother Wine wrote:

Im not sure why you think that, after researching PANDAS a bit all the things he struggles with are there
the aggression, hyperactivity, baby talk etc. just no tics.
in any case, of course I will run all this by my doctor Smile

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:23 pm

amother Brass wrote:

one of the things that is so bizarre is that he doesn't seem to care at all that he's getting in trouble!
I am in the process of getting the school to evaluate him. I guess I'll figure out the next steps after that...

amother

↑ Thistle ↓

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:28 pm

amother OP wrote:

Sometimes what looks like hyperactivity can actually be tics.
When my child had their onset they started doing a lot of jumping, skipping, hopping, kicking feet under the table, clapping, tapping on the table, sliding off his chair, climbing, twirling. Took me a while to realize those were all tics.

Oh and also nail biting, nose picking, tugging pants, adjusting yarmulka, scratching nose.

Be prepared for your dr to be dismissive.

amother

Rainbow

Tue, Feb 06 2024, 3:33 pm

I also came to comment about ADHD after your first post. I see a lot have mentioned it.
My daughter at 5 was given it (we are in Israel so its easier to get it)
My son who is know 4.5 is showing signs in more the impulsive actions and they say its the age signs start coming out. he is very self conscious so wont act up in school I think ADD not ADHD.
In the USA I heard they are lowering the age of diagnosing and medicating and I think it might be from 4 already. I would take him to be assessed and have the teachers write anything they see.
There is a great book by Avraham Kelberman (I think) explaining for parents and teachers in a simple way (most parts reading also have ADHD/ADD) how the childs brain is working and how to help them in basic ways. it really opened my eyes to help my child.
Children have to succeed to try so if he isn't succeeding in sitting and understanding why should and would he try to sit?