Discerning ADHD

[Anonymous]

How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

How old? It's really hard when they are young, but the older they get, the more a non ADHD kid should be able to regulate their attention and behavior to fit the expectations of the setting.

[Anonymous]

Elementary school age

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

[Anonymous]

ADHD isn't really about energy. It is an executive functioning disorder. It is more about not being able to plan or organize or manage time or focus on keeping track of things (working memory) or getting distracted. It isn't about too much go, it is about not enough stop and the challenge with mental inhibition. The hyperactivity is more of a mental or physical overstimulation than just high energy. It often affects friendships and the ability to function well at school or in sports or in other activities as the executive function center struggles.

[Anonymous]

When the entire preschool class can handle circle time but one kid can’t and is running around the room, that kid will likely later be diagnosed with ADHD.

You can tell more easily as the kids get older but not being able to meet age appropriate expectations for self regulation and focus is a sign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD isn't really about energy. It is an executive functioning disorder. It is more about not being able to plan or organize or manage time or focus on keeping track of things (working memory) or getting distracted. It isn't about too much go, it is about not enough stop and the challenge with mental inhibition. The hyperactivity is more of a mental or physical overstimulation than just high energy. It often affects friendships and the ability to function well at school or in sports or in other activities as the executive function center struggles.

This

Try reading a book about it OP. Its not just about their activity or energy level.

[Anonymous]

High energy was not a flag for my ADHD kid. It had nothing to do with his diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the entire preschool class can handle circle time but one kid can’t and is running around the room, that kid will likely later be diagnosed with ADHD.

You can tell more easily as the kids get older but not being able to meet age appropriate expectations for self regulation and focus is a sign.

This is a good real like example. We brought in a mini rocking chair for my son to sit in on the edge of the carpet for circle time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD isn't really about energy. It is an executive functioning disorder. It is more about not being able to plan or organize or manage time or focus on keeping track of things (working memory) or getting distracted. It isn't about too much go, it is about not enough stop and the challenge with mental inhibition. The hyperactivity is more of a mental or physical overstimulation than just high energy. It often affects friendships and the ability to function well at school or in sports or in other activities as the executive function center struggles.

This is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the entire preschool class can handle circle time but one kid can’t and is running around the room, that kid will likely later be diagnosed with ADHD.

You can tell more easily as the kids get older but not being able to meet age appropriate expectations for self regulation and focus is a sign.

This also is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an ordinary parent distinguish between a normal high energy kid and one with ADHD?

Just trying to understand my DC, and NOT looking to get an IEP or 504 or diagnosis.

Well, most parents would get a qualified medical professional to make a diagnosis. But since you're not interested in that...I suppose you could just flip a coin.

We have been cautioned that in our area many "qualified medical professionals" will almost always diagnose something -- even if a kid really is in the normal range -- because they think parents want documentation for an 504 or IEP filing.

[Anonymous]

You pay for a private neuropsych evaluation. High energy alone isn't enough to justify the cost of the evaluation, though.

[Anonymous]

If you're not looking for services at school or medication, why would it matter as to whether behaviors and traits are attributable to a medical condition versus just being on the margins of typical? I mean, regardless of which basket a behavior or trait falls into, presumably you would react the same way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ADHD isn't really about energy. It is an executive functioning disorder. It is more about not being able to plan or organize or manage time or focus on keeping track of things (working memory) or getting distracted. It isn't about too much go, it is about not enough stop and the challenge with mental inhibition. The hyperactivity is more of a mental or physical overstimulation than just high energy. It often affects friendships and the ability to function well at school or in sports or in other activities as the executive function center struggles.

This. Also "getting distracted" means failing to exercise control over thoughts and actions - looking at the shiny thing instead of the thing you should be looking at. Once you think about ADHD as a lack of energy or control, it makes sense why stimulants are the first line of treatment. It takes energy to break through inertia and mobilize yourself, within a time frame, towards a goal. This is what stimulant meds help with.