ADHD first step please help!

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Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)

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amother

Mon, Nov 11 2024, 7:29 am

I suspect my 8 year old son has ADHD. Very impulsive, trouble focusing, not hyper but can’t sit still, doesn’t think about consequences of actions, very in the moment, quick to get angry, quick to calm down, jumps to conclusions, steals things, over the top with sugar and candy, really having hard time paying attention in school, extremely creative…
What’s my first step? Been trying the boundaries, structure etc, but it’s getting to a point where I need to do more and leaning to exploring supplements or meds. Who do I talk to and what do I do??

bookstore15

Mon, Nov 11 2024, 7:33 am

Talk to a DR or a psych NP.

imasinger

Mon, Nov 11 2024, 7:40 am

I'd suggest starting with your pediatrician, asking for resources.

amother

Blushpink

Mon, Nov 11 2024, 9:53 am

Read the book Finally Focused https://www.amazon.com/Finally.....r=8-1

amother

Amber

Mon, Nov 11 2024, 10:01 am

Honestly, when it comes to real adhd I find that boundaries and structure only go so far. They aren’t enough to get the kid to stay focused in school. I waited too long to start meds and my kid suffered in terms of self esteem and feeling like he will ever be capable of being successful. It’s unfair to the e kid and to you to keep focusing on parenting etc this is an issue with his brain and he deserves help no less than if you’re suffering with allergies or headaches you wouldn’t expect your kid to learn to fight thru it you’d give them medicine. First step is to see child psychiatrist— somebody good who will be patient in learning about your child and take the time to work with you to see if meds are the right answer and if so to find the right meds.

amother

Sage

Mon, Nov 18 2024, 3:45 pm

If you can't get into a child neurologist or psychiatrist soon, consider starting with your pediatrician (or a different local pediatrician if yours won't address ADHD). Many pediatricians these days have a lot of experience diagnosing and prescribing for ADHD (at least to get started until you can get into a specialist). Our pediatric practice (tristate area) hired a behavioral nurse specifically to deal with ADHD and related issues (tracking meds, managing side effects, providing referrals etc). because so. many. of their patients needed it.

amother

Dodgerblue

Mon, Nov 18 2024, 5:04 pm

I'm on a Whatsapp ADHD group that is a great resource and help

amother

Cadetblue

Mon, Nov 18 2024, 6:24 pm

Ask your pediatrician or other people in the ones for a referral for a good child psychiatrist. Take the first appointment even if it’s a few months away. Call every few weeks and see if there was a cancellation. Go with the best one you can find, even if they don’t take your insurance

nuttynut

Wed, Nov 20 2024, 11:37 pm

amother Dodgerblue wrote:

I'm on a Whatsapp ADHD group that is a great resource and help

Hi how would I be able to join the group?

miami85

Thu, Nov 21 2024, 1:01 am

amother Blushpink wrote:

Read the book Finally Focused https://www.amazon.com/Finally.....r=8-1

I love this book, as a school psychologist I recommend it to all parents facing ADHD diagnoses.

A few things to consider are 1)has he ALWAYS been like this--like from a baby 2)Does changing diet/exercise/activities change his behavior--like can you cut down the candy to see if there is a change? 3)Typically a diagnosis requires similar or within the realm of diagnostic criteria across 2 settings--like home and school.

Also I like the research on the 7 subtypes of ADHD more than the "with/without hyperactivity" models.

amother

SandyBrown

Tue, Nov 26 2024, 11:08 am

miami85 wrote:

Hi mom of 4 year old. Where can I ,earn more about the seven models?

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