ADD????

[~Nikki~]

I have a nearly 6 year old boy.  It has been suggested to me by several people in the past few weeks alone that he may have ADD or something similar.  He's hyper.  I thought this was normal for a boy his age, but after seeing him at his first karate class last week compared to the other boys his age...wow.  He can't stay still. He can't stop moving, ever, at all.  Except when he's playing videogames or watching a movie, oddly.  Media is the only thing that slows him down.....

I got a note from his teacher yesterday telling me that he's very full of energy...accompanied by a sad face on the note.  Awesome.  She had also brought it up at the beginning of the year, because she was afraid his wiggling might be due to the fact that he wasn't listening and didn't understand.  I told her no, this is just what he does.  Other teachers have brought it up as well.  His learning doesn't seem to be suffering.  He's doing very well this year.  But the wiggling and moving and constant bouncing around is getting him into trouble.

Thoughts on this?  I haven't considered going to the pediatrician yet, but did bring it up at his last appointment and was told that it was normal for boys his age (at that time, age 5).  The pediatrician isn't the type that's quick to medicate, so I'm not worried about seeing him on the matter.  I just don't know yet that there's anything wrong, I guess?  I've even had parents of other kids ask me if he's on ritalin or anything to deal with his constant movement!!!  My partner lost it on one dad for even asking, heh. 

I mean, nobody wants their child to have a problem, right?  Is there anything diet-wise that I could adjust?  He hates cookies/sweets and prefers carrots or apples as snacks.  Weird kid, I know.  So I don't think it's sugar related (though I know there's some in fruit). 

I just don't know where to even start with this!  Help!

[Marnica]

well,

first of all I wouldn't leave it up to a pedi to diagnose ADD. If you really want to know have him tested by a qualified professional. IF he does have ADD, there are other ways of dealing with it besides drugs.

Diet and supplements have been used by some with a great deal of benefit. Hyperactivity can also be connected to alleries and food sensitivities. I would reccommend you cross post this in the Allergies forum. There are many moms on there have have dealth with htis type of stuff.

[~Nikki~]

Thanks, I'll try cross-posting.  He does suffer from several allergies (peanuts are the only food related one, though), so I'll try the other forum as well.

[sbgrace]

I think the feingold diet has had decent success in hyperactivity. Some healthy foods (like red apples) are high in phenols which can be an issue for some hyperactive kids and the feingold diet addresses that issue. He likely needs lots of physical movement and school is not a good place for that sort of young boy imo. We didn't expect young boys to sit still as much as we do now in the past. For supplements you might need magnesium and EFA's (essential fatty acids--as in fish oil for example) might be good. Take a look at this link for some ideas and information on diet and supplement option that have some research basis.

How is he sleeping--is he getting enough sleep in your opinion?

He's doing fine in school..his concentration must be ok? It makes me wonder if he's just got a high need for activity at his very young age.

[KatWrangler]

Hmm sounds like my son.  My son was finally diagnosed with ADHD.  We started meds a month ago.  It has helped some, so we are increasing the dosage to see if it helps more.

A Pediatric Psychiatrist needs to make this diagnosis.  Have you seen one yet?

[~Nikki~]

Have not seen a pediatric psychiatrist, but will talk to the pediatrician with it at his annual appointment in a month or so.  He is very active, but definitely has the ability to sit and concentrate.  It's bizarre.  He'll be bouncing around, but as soon as he's occupied by something like a videogame, or card game, or something that requires concentration, he'll sit and do it (until he loses, then wow...watch out.)  He needs physical activity but is honestly super lazy!!  I encourage him to play outside, as does his older sister, and he has no interest.  I signed him up for an activity to get him out of the house and moving, and it's like pulling teeth on Wednesdays to get him psyched up to go.  He'd rather stay home. 

Do they make magnesium and EFA supplements for kids?  Someone else mentioned a folate supplement might help.  Can these be found in a regular kids multivitamin?  If not, where can I find this stuff in a kid-safe dose?

From what I've read on the allergies forum, hyperactivity is only linked to food allergies.  As most of his allergies (aside from peanuts, which is banned from our house and school/daycare) are environmental, I'm not sure if that's the issue?  It seems a bit of a coincidence that his hyperactivity just ramped up a notch this week, after his dolt of a father bought a St. Bernard this weekend (of which my son is very allergic).  Thank goodness he's only there on weekends.

[sbgrace]

I disagree that hyperactivity is only related to food allergies. I don't think the current research supports that claim either. Did you check out that link though? Phenol sensitivity is an issue for some kids and I've seen studies supporting that thought that I think were double blind.

If allergies (or any other things....) are affecting sleep you can get behavior changes that look like ADHD too.

Kids with attention deficit often have a great ability to concentrate in areas of their interest. It's areas outside of that (others ideas, school, etc.) that is the issue. If I was brave I would post myself working on math with my son. It's unbelievable how difficult it is for him to concentrate for even a short period of time. Example, today he was supposed to "make" 320--finding the three hundred and then the 2 10's to make 20. He repeated the number and I say it multiple times. He then forgot before he started. We repeated it again, him after me, several times, he went and said 300--pulling out the hundreds...um, what was it? It took forever. But this kid can spend a long time looking at train books or building lego or making up stories. I can't imagine a child with extreme attention issues doing well academically basically in a school situation and the teacher's seem fine with all but his activity level. He may just need activity.