How to manage signs of ADHD?

Question

I work in a preschool. One of my 4 yr olds exhibits classic signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD. He is unable to focus on simple tasks and is extremely impulsive. I am most concerned about the impulsiveness; when upset, he lashes out with physical violence. Once given time to calm down, he is acutely aware that what he did was wrong and is able to tell me better choices for handling conflicts (using words, walking away, talking to the teacher, etc). Despite these problems, he is one of the brightest children in the class and when he focuses on something, he excells. He also demonstrates much creative talent and can draw better than I can (he is only 4, mind you) When working on such projects, he becomes hyper-focused and it is very difficult to draw him away from these tasks. His parents refuse to have him tested or to see a counselor. His disruptive behavior makes it difficult to teach the other students and I worry about him hurting other children. What should I do?

Answer 1

Although the symptoms you describe sound a little like ADD/ADHD it is way too early to tell.  He sounds more like a typical 4 year old boy who is not given boundries at home.  If you are concerned about this child then you will need to provide structure for him at school that he doesn't get at home.  This child's needs are very different than the majoriaty of the children in your class, because as you said he is bright.  His impulsiveness needs to be addressed.  This may mean that someone will have to watch him a little closer than the others for a time.  Notice what is causing the outbursts then deal with it. Don't  expect too much, he is only 4 and still needs to be a child.  The human brain developes at different rates for all of us.

So set bountries and be consistant at all times. Find out what is causing the outbursts. Let him help you teach the others, when possible (self-esteem is often a cause for lashing out).

Answer 2

http://www.parentmagic.com/parentingsolu...

This works with ADD & ADHD children, as well as just normal everyday kids in need of kind, effective discipline.

You are obviously a very bright lady. I urge you to please read this book. It's a short read, very easy to implement, and parent find it reasonable. The children are treated with respect, bottom line it works.

Best of luck to you!  Take care.

Answer 3

to solve add or adhd is concerta i have taken it for two and a half years

Answer 4

go to adhd.com and webmd.com that will answer all your questions.

Answer 5

Something that we can underestimate is the power of practice. You can chose the areas that this child has problems with and let him act out how to do them correctly. Praise him for his accomplishments.

For instance: "Okay, today we are going to practice how to stop working when time is up. I will do it first and then you can show me how you would do it."

(sit down and begin drawing, have another teacher or that student tell you when to stop. Talk about what you are thinking as you do this). " I know it is time to stop so I put my pencil down and tell myself "I can finish later", then I get up from my seat and walk over to my next task." (Then let your student try)

You could also make up social stories that talks a child through their emotions. Use pictures of the child to put inside the book of them doing nice things like a hug, walking away, saying no thank you etc...You read it with them before they do something wrong not during or after.

Example " when I am upset I cannot hit my friends. Instead I can tell a teacher or walk away. If I do hit my friends, I will (then write a priviladge the child may lose or a consequence for their action) I want to make my teachers happy so I will keep my hands and feet to myself."

I hope this helps!

Answer 6

As the parent and grandparent of children with ADD, I must ask you, first and formost, just what you want these parents to do at the doctor. As you claim, and you may very well be correct, this child exibits charactaristics of ADD. But having a "daignosis" doesn't change things in the least. I am wondering, have you decided that this child needs medicating, and this is why you want them to visit a physician?

Far too many teachers nowadays either are not educated enough, or dedicated enough to find a way to facilitate children who don't fit their "ideal mold".

Children with ADD are very intellegent, and the less than average teacher who only prefers to deal with children who will sit still and follow the leader like lemmings will, of course, cause disruption.

Granted, there are some severe cases out there. Does that mean all children who "appear" (in a non-medical eye), to have ADD, need to be medicated??? I truly hope not.

Have you considered that two of the three medications used most commonly for ADD are actually amphetimines? We are adding to the drug epidemic each time we give these children these medications, and we are turning them into drugged out shells of who they were meant to be.  One of my grandchildren was actually placed on these three meds at different times. They kept him awake, he lost quite a bit of weight because he was unable to eat, had no friends because he was a zombie, and he became extremly depressed as a result of the prescribed drugs he was given, on the recomendation of his teacher!

He is now off of these drugs, in a magnet school for gifted kids, and doing great. He has friends he regularly socializes with and is now leading a "normal" life.

My other grandson, whos parents both have ADD is doing well due to patience, understanding, and the ability and willingness of those around him, to take the time to understand him, and work with him. He too is excelling at school. He had problems sitting still and focusing, until they placed him in an advanced classroom. Now, he has a hunger to learn new things everyday.

Sure, he still has a problem sitting still, but we are helping him to recognize this in himself, and though he is only 6 and in second grade, he is working on his own self-discipline.

I would suggest that perhaps you can veer away from calling this child "disruptive" long enough to reach out to him at his level, and encourage the other children to participate with him, instead of deciding he's not worth dealing with.

Good luck to you both.

Answer 7

My brother has adhd.  It is very scary dealing with it.  They can hurt other kids and or themselves.  Always staying calm helps in bringing them down talking quielty keeps them qiuter.  My brothers first year of kindergarten he was unmedicated and when he would act up they would send him home.  I t wasn't fair to the other kids that so much time had been with dealing with him and it wasn;t fair that he was always in trouble.  My mother did not believe in medication him.  But after one quarter of almost being sent home and her having to watch him be upset because he missed so much at school, she had no choice but to seek treatment.  Now he does excellent and he is so proud that he is good boy and doesn't get his card changed at school anymore.  My advice and my sister is a k techer is that if he disrupts all the time you have no option but to send him home.  But if you decide to stick it out NO SUGAR it amplifies them by ten we give my brother sugar fee candy.  They don't have a long concentration so you have to find his niche that will keep him occupied, my brothers were his little cars the calmed him down and kept him focused.  Less stimulation they are already over stimulated.  Remember you can't mention ADHD to his parents you think  and don't suggest medicating him.  Just do behavioral assessments.  Alot of parents don't want to hear their is something wrong with their child, and their are great activists that that believe that medication is wrong.  But for those who don't abuse it and use it properly are forever grateful for it.  Believe me my brother is still the most active child in his classroom and it is a combo of the medicine and proper lifestyle changes that makes it all the better.  My mom felt bad after the first day he was on medicine and my brother sat down at the table and colored a whole picture.  He smiled aand said I did It I finished it mom he was so proud it was then and only then that my mom realized that it it was almost like a punishement to not give it to him and when his parents finally see that the childs doors of opportunity will then only open.  Good Luck