ADHD/ADD in toddlers

[Anonymous]

Expressive and receptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We are sort of banging our head against a wall with our son. He is so so challenging and from the moment he started walking at 9 months it has been constant movement. I often say he is like a boomerang. He really just does not stop. Thank god the weather has finally broken and we can just live outside on playgrounds and in parks. It is very challenging for us and the developmental pediatrician we are going to see asked me a ton of questions and was really hung up on me and my husband and our diagnosis's. I actually have my old files from the testing that was done in high school to bring in. Does it get easier and do they ever slow down? Of course at 2 I am not looking for a diagnosis but it was suggested we see a developmental pediatrician because of his language delays.

Are you or your DH able to talk to your parents? What do they say about you? Did you ever slow down? Did you ever become easier?

[Anonymous]

I had no issues with language but my husbands mom is pretty useless when he asks her questions about his diagnosis and how he was as a child. I wasn't particularly wild. I had a lot of trouble following directions and had difficulties reading and writing. I was describe as extremely boisterous, disruptive and talkative in elementary school but she really doesn't remember anything standing out when I was 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Expressive and receptive.

Receptive delays have also caused us a LOT of problems!! That might be another big issue.

[Anonymous]

Mine was like most of the PPs. Impulsive, touched every little thing, defiant, extreme tantrums, ran everywhere (and into everything and everyone). I would say keep seeing the dev ped and address the issues that can be addressed without focusing too much on the overall diagnosis right now (even if you're pretty sure where you are headed). If he needs speech, get him in speech. Same with OT or behavioral therapy (though 2 may be a little young), etc. Mine did speech for 3 years, OT for a year, and behavioral therapy for a year. All before age 5.

DS was diagnosed at 5 and started medication soon after. The medication is a game changer. DS is such a pleasant child to be around when he has had his medication. I can see his wonderful personality and sense of humor that has been hidden behind all the chaos going on in his brain and his body. That said, in regards to becoming "easier," DS is still extremely difficult when he is not on his medication, particularly in the mornings. For me at least, as my kids grow, my natural expectations of them change so I expect my now 6-year old to act like a 6-year old. When he is unmedicated, it's like back to parenting a defiant 3-year old (who uses more hurtful words).

[Anonymous]

My DS was similar as a toddler. EXTREMELY challenging, non-stop movement from the moment he woke up until the minute he went to bed--and he didn't want to go to bed, either, and when he did, he woke easily. I. was. exhausted.

However, DS did not have any language delays, and was quite advanced, which I think helped. He also wasn't aggressive. He was just like an engergizer bunny.

FWIW, DS is 10 now, is still very high energy (plays sports that require a lot of running year-round), is still a bad sleeper, BUT has matured into a great, kind kid. He is very focused and able to complete homework without a fight. He was also tested for IQ and found to be in the 145+ range--our pediatrician said that it was not unusual to have very bright children also have very high energy levels. Their brains are constantly running and so they are constantly doing things in response to their thoughts.

If possible, I would suggest looking into schools that have a lot of outdoor recess and daily PE. Private school with an age-appropriate curriculum was what kept DS from receiving an ADHD eval in PK or K. He needed, and still needs, a lot of physical activity to be happy.

[Anonymous]

OP here. As active as my child is he is very aware of his body and is gentle with other children. We haven't had any issues of hitting or anything except to me when he had an extreme tantrum. He's funny and has his own little "jokes" and is pretty smart from what I can tell. Knows his colors a bunch of letter, etc but is just all over the place all the time. He sleeps great at night and naps great which is my saving grace. The non stop energy and the tantrums from frustration and not being able to effectively express himself have been our major issues. My son does have speech and ABA. Was ABA particularly helpful for your adhd toddler?

[Anonymous]

My son who sounds like yours did not start hitting until preschool became more structured and too much for him. Just watch it. He started at around 4 and we are still working on it a few months later.