Anonymous wrote:OP, I really don't mean to be rude or dismissive, but this question is posted at least once a month on this forum. I've typed out the answer so many times I just can't do it again. You might want to try searching.

Or maybe we should make this a "sticky" post.

OP here. I know, I'm sorry.

I did a search function and started reading through all of them and then thought maybe if I put it in a "snapshot" type of format it would be quick for folks to post.

OP, I really don't mean to be rude or dismissive, but this question is posted at least once a month on this forum. I've typed out the answer so many times I just can't do it again. You might want to try searching.

Or maybe we should make this a "sticky" post.

Anonymous wrote:Uh, what?

I asked what your kid looked like. Did they wander around the room, how did they look when they were tuned out, did they make constant noise while they were playing? I mean, c'mon, I said paint me a picture.

Again, wait until your kid is older. Inattentive ADHD can look pretty typical at a young age.

My ADHD-I kid is able to pay attention if something holds his interest. He's super extroverted, so peers and play held his interest pretty well in a play based preschool. We didn't see anything that looked like inattention, and his teachers always had wonderful things to say.

What we did see

-- separation anxiety that lasted until adolescence (not sure what's the connection, but ADHD-I and anxiety go hand in hand), at 4-6 there were tears most days about separating at the beginning of school, although they resolved pretty quickly, but a lot of anxiety about new situations with new people.

-- difficulty learning to memorize symbols like letters and numbers and sight words

-- very easy going, very compliant, very thoughtful and cautious about things

-- in K and 1st, difficulty remembering the routines. For most things he was really good at following along with peers, but things like remembering where to put the homework folder, or coming home and telling me there was a field trip were really hard.

Having said that, we didn't really figure out the ADHD until he was in middle school and his anxiety about not keeping up in school skyrocketed. I'm still not 100% sure that he's ADHD. It's hard to tease the anxiety and the ADHD out from one another.

Every teacher report said she talked non-stop and could be disruptive to other kids' learning.
Very enthusiastic and happy.
Not great coordination
Not great handwriting (now it's better)
Difficulty following directions
(Self reported) difficulty following conversations
Social anxiety and regular anxiety
Difficulty applying a consequence from one circumstance to another
Terrible test grades, terrible!
Fidgety at school

Hope this helps, I'll add more if I think of it.

Uh, what?

I asked what your kid looked like. Did they wander around the room, how did they look when they were tuned out, did they make constant noise while they were playing? I mean, c'mon, I said paint me a picture.

If your kid hasn't started elementary, I'd wait until then.

...of what your child with ADHD-inattentive looked like from ages 4 to 6, at school or at home. What comments from teachers or caregivers did you hear? What seemed "off"? Did you suspect early on or think it was something else?