ADHD - child's own awareness

[Anonymous]

If your kid was diagnosed around 9 - before the diagnosis, how aware were they that something might be up?

9 yo. Anxiety and ODD. Anxiety meds help the behaviors. Still a lot of impulsively, and the question on the ADHD screeners that stands out to me is being "driven like a motor". But other questions I'm on the fence about and don't want to push for a dx that ends up not fitting.

I started asking her simple questions about getting distracted easily, or if her energy sometimes doesn't match what she needs to be doing. She wouldn't talk about it. (typical for her to not discuss tough issues). So the fact the she didn't want to answer makes me feel like she knows something isn't quite right.

How aware was your kid? Did they ever just straight up say that they were distracted or couldn't calm down? I'm looking for the right language to use here to help get a sense of what she's feeling. Were your kids able to describe it?

[Anonymous]

At 7 my DD read a book about ADHD and said - I have that. She is right. She’s a text book and severe case. It’s good to have a name for it. There’s a different book called puppy dog brain for younger kids that describes some of feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 7 my DD read a book about ADHD and said - I have that. She is right. She’s a text book and severe case. It’s good to have a name for it. There’s a different book called puppy dog brain for younger kids that describes some of feelings.

Sorry I just checked the title and it’s called “puppy mind”

[Anonymous]

Just today my DC8 said they have "two brains" the one who is impulsive and the one who knows to hold back. They described they are in a tug of war.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At 7 my DD read a book about ADHD and said - I have that. She is right. She’s a text book and severe case. It’s good to have a name for it. There’s a different book called puppy dog brain for younger kids that describes some of feelings.

Sorry I just checked the title and it’s called “puppy mind”

Thank you! Found a YouTube version of it...

[Anonymous]

OP you should read some Russell Barkley. FYI one can meet the criteria for ADHD without checking the box for all the items on the screening form.

Barkley on ADHD and ODD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcwp9T3zNcM