Should a 4 year old be tested for adhd?
Answers:
A developmental specialist would be a good place to start. Some hospitals actually have teams to evaluate the child to check what might be the underlying cause of his over activity. I'm an Audiologist and have worked with some of those teams, testing the kids' hearing to ensure that there's no hearing loss that might be contributing to the inattentiveness.
Some kids do have actual biochemical imbalances that make them very impulsive and distractible. Other kids have hearing problems - some permanent, and some treatable (like chronic ear infections), so that can't hear or understand what they're being told. Some kids have other medical conditions, like food allergies or sleeping problems, that contribute to behavior issues. Some kids just don't have enough boundaries/discipline in the home, and they act out. Some kids have more serious developmental or behavioral disorders (the fire-starter that someone mentioned has to see a pediatric psychiatrist ASAP!).
Because there are so many possible contributing factors, a comprehensive evaluation, sometimes involving MANY specialists is the best way to determine your individual child's strengths and challenges and to determine whether a trial of medication is appropriate. It is a TRIAL, what works for one person doesn't work for another, so be patient with the process. Also, your handling of him, his behavior, and his environment will very likely have to be modified to be consistent and organized. There are MANY good books and support groups out there.
Now is the BEST time to get the ball rolling, so hopefully he'll be a bit more stable before school starts. Ask hi Doctor for a recommendation/referral, as well as the local school system. By law in the U.S the local school districts are responsible for helping kids with special needs from 3 years old - 21 years! Have them test him to determine the best placement for him in Kindergarten, but have the independent evaluations, as well, to cross check the results and ensure that your covering all the bases.
Keep calm, be patient, hang in there, and good luck!
Other Answers:
yes
no If the doctor made a comment about it get a recommendation for a specialist. Please don't put drugs in your little boy if the tests show he has ADD or ADHD. There are lots of options out there.
I'd wait until he starts school and see how his school work and whatnot comes along...if you start to notice something, then get him tested. Also, ask his teacher if she notices anything.
Well, sure, you could if it's bothering/worrying you, but you're the best judge of how his character seems - and how he's affecting those around him. If his attitude is strongly affecting his preschool time (he can't ever settle down for naps, or disrupts the rest of the class, etc., etc) then I would encourage doing something about it. The only reasons I would say to exercise caution are:a) Kids that age are really active, especially boys. Remember that he may just be a four-year-old trying to have some fun, and then again, he may just be a really energetic little kid. There are kids with a lot of energy who don't have ADHD.
b) You don't want to put him on drugs so early in his life. Give him a little time to run free and wild. It'll be good for him in the long run.
Hope my advice helped! :)
we had our son tested when he was 5 but if the signes are showing up this early maybe it wouldnt be a bad idea. your doctor and your preschool teacher are both professionals who have college degrees and work with children daily. have this checked out before you enter your child into the kindergarten setting. kindergarten is no longer a place where children simply go to play, or to learn social skills. most kindergarten settings today require kids to apply themselves and to interact well with others...
as far as medication goes, this is the best time to try it out, if that is what is recommended. i was very against medicating my child, however after "trying" it, i can't see him without it. he's much more calm, can perform tasks without becoming frustrated with himself and has a better self-attitude. THIS IS JUST MY CHILD, THO... remember all children react to all meds differently. the good part about trying out meds now is that you'll have him home all summer and can watch for reactions or side effects and not have to worry about whether his behavior is being influenced by something at school.
good luck.
My friend's son was tested at 5 and he's been under treatment for ADHD for 2 years now. It's good to try and help them when their young, but he has only gotten worse since his treatments began. He starts fires, chokes his little brother, has terrible tantrums. I think he's possessed by evil spirits. He has a permanent frown on his face. It's awful to be around him. Good Luck! I hope you have better results. I worked at a daycare for ten years and I have found that a child is best tested at the age of five.I would be careful about using drugs to control behavior,now days if a teacher has trouble with a child that is the schools answer,drugs that keep the child down.My nephew at 5 was told that he was add but my sister chose to ignore what was said because she new what was best for her child.He was just very active and he did grow out of it.
I feel for you. My son is now 5 years old and will turn 6 in 3 1/2 months.
Anyways, that said...yes, you maybe should have him tested. I have actually *tried* to get doc's to test my son and you know what they basically told me? Your son is too young to test for ADHD, he is just acting like a normal child (basically in not so many words that I am a dumb mother and don't know my own child).
Well none of the doc's would look at him for ADHD in my area, I tried calling the twin cities to get him in there because I live only about 100 miles away. But they basically kept telling me that they were booked.
Anyways... my child has had a lot of problems in school. He can't concentrate on anything and he won't try to if he doesn't want to. He knows the alphabet, but when his teacher asks him questions he just looks around in other directions, screws around and "pretends" he doesn't know his letters, shapes and numbers! Your child could have a LOT of problems with school, even if a doc doesn't prescribe medication if your child does have adhd, there could at least be some other alternatives to help your child concentrate.
Source(s):
Kindergarten with my child has been a battle since day one.
I just had this conversation with my kids doctor. ADHD is the most mis diagnosed thing among children. have his metabolism checked. my 7 year old has the same problems. he will go to 2nd grade next year. if you do have him tested please make sure you review all options. my doctor said that they have found that children who are treated for ADHD with medication have had heart problems in their early 30s.
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