my 3 year old has just been diagnosed with ADHD how do i help him?

Answer 1

The doctor should prescribe good medication. That'll tone it down a little.

Answer 2

Are you serious? Aren't all 3 year-olds hyperactive and attention-deficit? In my experience, it's unusual for a child to be diagnosed at this young of an age, especially since the diagnosis needs to show that the behavior persists over a 6 month period or more. I would caution you that the BEST way to help your child is to first seek a second opinion on whether your child DOES have ADHD, and whether it's even appropriate to diagnose him before he's able to be seen in a wide variety of settings.

Next, please be aware that many things that appear to be ADHD can actually be resolved through dietary changes. (ADHD is not caused by allergies, but behavior similar to that of ADHD children CAN be.) Your child may have a hidden reaction to a common food product that is producing the disruptive behavior. Try eliminating dairy from his diet. If you see no change, then try eliminating wheat. Of course, try eliminating sugar, especially anything without naturally-occuring sugars (look for "high fructose corn syrup" on the label).

At your son's young age, I think we can rule out some of the other possible reasons for misdiagnosis (such as being bored with school lessons due to high intelligence).

If you do confirm that your son does have ADHD, you'll need to consider medication and counseling to help him with his impulse control. You'll get a lot of that kind of advice from doctors, but I want to make sure your dear child doesn't get wrongly medicated.

Answer 3

Was your child diagnosed by a child psychiatrist who has experience with ADHD or by a family doctor? If he hasn't been evaluated by a child psychiatrist and I emphasize Child Psychiatrist - I would have that done first. I work with children and families. While a 3 year old could have ADHD symptoms and medication can help if he does, you want to be certain. If you do put him on meds you want to be sure to monitor him closely and work with the prescribing phsyician. Some people don't believe in ADHD or medication. I can understand that but I disagree with them. Sometimes ADHD is misdiagnosed and sometimes it isn't diagnosed when it should be. Medication can work with a proper diagnosis and follow up.

If you don't want to put your child on meds then you need to learn how to parent him so that he can deal with his hyperactivity and/or inability to focus. Normally ADHD kids can pay attention to very stimulating and scarey things, like video games and action TV programs. Those things, however, are not good for them so don't go there.

NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) has a website and tons of good information on ADHD. They also have support groups all over the country. Find their website and download some information, get in a support group and learn how to help your child cope.

The Love and Logic Institute also has some good books and DVD's on parenting kids with attention and behavior problems. I'd check them out, too.

There are good things about ADHD characteristics as well as the challenges. Help your son make the best of his energetic nature. Whatever you do, educate yourself and learn as much as you can. School can be difficult for these kids unless they have some guidance and support.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I have an almost 6-year-old who we have suspected has ADHD since he was around 3. There are tons of great book at the library and book store about dealing with ADHD. For us, consistent routines, lots of positive attention when he did what we wanted, and behavior modification worked well. I recommend a book/video called 1-2-3 Magic which has worked great with him and our non-ADHD daughter. The ADD (or ADHD) Workbook is also a great resource. Both of these are probably at your library.

The biggest frustration we ran into is that most resources are not available until he is at least 5. You may want to check with your school system to see if they offer any services or an early intervention preschool. This is what we did with our son, he was placed with other children with mild developmental delays, and we were thrilled with the program.

If your doctor doesn't think it's absolutely necessary, I would recommend holding off on medicating your son as long as possible. The medications can affect the child's appetite and restrict their growth, so I would only use them if your child's ADHD is severe. We have been very luck, as our son has outgrown a lot of his behaviors over the past 3 years.

The best advice I can give you is to stand firm to what you believe is best for your son. You know him better than anyone else and you are his best advocate. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Also, as you are helping him, be sure to take care of yourself -- making time by yourself or with friends is one way. But you must be strong yourself in order to fight for him.

Good luck! You are not alone in this!

Answer 5

The term "ADHD" is simply a label used to categorise a list of psychosocial traits that Psychiatry considers to be improper or abnormal in society. Psychiatry defines these traits as a "mental illness", and promotes it as a "disease" that requires "treatment".

It is not a "disease", despite claims or implications made by certain psychiatric or pharmaceutical organisations. There is NO credible scientific evidence that shows the existence of what constitutes "ADHD" as a biological/neurological disorder, brain abnormality or "chemical imbalance".

"For a disease to exist there must be a tangible, objective physical abnormality that can be determined by a test such as, but not limited to, blood or urine test, X-Ray, brain scan or biopsy. All reputable doctors would agree: No physical abnormality, no disease. In psychiatry, no test or brain scan exists to prove that a 'mental disorder' is a physical disease. Disingenuous comparisons between physical and mental illness and medicine are simply part of psychiatry's orchestrated but fraudulent public relations and marketing campaign." Fred Baughman, MD., Neurologist & Pediatric Neurologist.

"Chemical imbalance…it’s a shorthand term really, it’s probably drug industry derived… We don’t have tests because to do it, you’d probably have to take a chunk of brain out of someone - not a good idea." Dr. Mark Graff, Chair of the Committee of Public Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association. July, 2005.

Such behavioural characteristics that Psychiatry created this unscientific "disease" from are, and always have been, generally considered "normal". Now, it seems, inattention or "hyperactivity" (Hyperactivity means 'excessively active'* -- what is excessive? On whose authority?? It's ridiculous!!) is abnormal, a "mental illness".

For a rundown of the exact diagnostic criteria of "attention deficit disorder" visit: http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters/diagnosticcriteria.msnw

For information on the junkscience behind psychiatric "testing" for "ADHD" visit: http://adhdtesting.org/

For a list of what inattention COULD be attributed to (rather than some fraudulent "mental illness") visit: http://adhdparentssupportgroup.homestead.com/50conditionsmimicingADHD.html

For more information, see:

http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters/addadhd.msnw
http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters/adhdfacts.msnw
http://www.adhdfraud.org/
http://www.ritalindeath.com/
http://cchr.org/files/7515/child_drug_EN.pdf
http://www.ablechild.org/

"We are not "overdrugging" or misdiagnosing" ADHD. ADHD is a total, 100 percent fraud. The many millions of schoolchildren around the world who are being drugged have no disease." Fred Baughman, Jr., M.D. Child Neurologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

"Parents are seldom told that Ritalin is ‘speed’—that it is pharmacologically classified with amphetamines, has the same effects, side effects, and risks. Yet this is well-known in the profession...." Dr. Peter R. Breggin & Ginger Ross Breggin, The War Against Children, P. 84.

"...But because ADD is so vaguely defined, even for a psychiatric disorder, it is tailor-made for bogus claims. There are, as the American Psychiatric Association’s latest diagnostic manual concedes, "no laboratory tests that have been established as diagnostic" for "Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Richard E. Vatz, Professor, Towson State University, "Attention Deficit Delirium," The Wall Street Journal, July 27, 1994

"The diagnosis of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is entirely subjective… There is no test. It is just down to interpretation… The lines between an ADD sufferer and a healthy exuberant kid can be very blurred." Dr. Joe Kosterich. Chairman of the Australian Medical Association. Sydney Morning Herald.

--

Decoding Psychiatric Propaganda
http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters

Answer 6

The first thing to do is make sure that there is a routine in your household and certain things during the day are always at the same time (ie naps, yeah right, meals and bedtime) everything else can change just warn your son of the schedule for the day.
My husband has ADHD and the most important thing you can do is to help your son learn to filter the information around him and to teach him social skills and etiquette.
Kids with ADHD can focus and concentrate but it is harder for them to learn to do it. You have advance warning of how hard that it will be for him. There are computer programs that can help, games that teach a child to maintain his focus. Your child has to learn this as a skill, the same way we all learn to make a bed, not as a naturally occuring behavior.
Children with ADHD are so overstimulated and unable to filter incoming information that they miss seemingly obvious social cues. You can play games where you teach him to listen to specific sounds in his environment or see specific things in his environment and block out others. An example would be to turn on the radio and open a window (hang some windchimes outside or open a window near a tree). Help him to listen to the song, then move his focus to a bird, the windchimes or another sound outside, then back to the music. It would be a similar game with sights, look at this and describe it, then look at that and describe it.
Make sure you have firm and clear rules at home and any childcare settings. Children with ADHD tend to see the world in a dramatic black and white way so they need hard and fast rules and then need a discussion of how each exception works and why. Include rules related to social skills; ie we look at each other's face when we talk, we stand at least a foot away when we talk, we talk and try not to yell, saying excuse me if you have to interrupt and asking for permission to interrupt if it is necessary, etc.
You can teach your son to wiggle his toes when he has to sit and to press his fingers against his thighs when he has to be quiet (anything physical and unseen to help him wait and not be disruptive).
You can give him a wiggle time card to use when he needs to move and just can't take it anymore. Also, schedule plenty of wiggle time througout the day.
My husband never seems to pick up on any nonverbal communication at all. You will have to teach your son to understand nonverbal communication or make very sure that you say everything in a clear way.
(I'm sorry if this sounds a bit disconnected, I'm trying to remember the tricks we used when I worked with kids with ADHD as well as the things that really get to me sometimes about my husband.)
The most important thing you can do is understand that your son experiences the world in a much richer way than you or I do. For him, colors are brighter and sounds are louder and richer. Foods have more flavor and smells are more distinctive. People with ADHD have a real passion for life and that should be appreciated for what it is and not be "cured". Your son will grow to be successful, loving, loved and wonderful as long as you appreciate him, respect him and love him (not matter how many times you have to catch him of the bounce). I am really glad that my husband has ADHD because he will help my sons see such a rich and full life and help me to keep up my enthusiasm for life, for seeing new things and doing new things. ADHD may be called a disorder but I think it is just another way to be. Teach your son to be the best him he can be and enjoy him.
Best wishes from a woman who fell in love with a man like your son.

Answer 7

My daughter was diagnosed at age 3. She is now 8,and doing great. In the beggining I was one of the parents that was totally against drugs of any sort. I just HAD to go all natural remedies. NOTHING WORKED. I even bought certain foods,and Vitamins called Attentive Child. She was out of hand. When school started,Oh that was not fun. We went thru alot of tough days,and she started hating school. Eventually her teacher said,OK,you need to see a Dr. about this. I took her to the Dr,and he gave her Straterra. Her dosage amount was 60 Mgs. I was not about to start off that high. I started her at the LOWEST and fiqured I would work our way up if needed. Guess what,the 10 MG's worked GREAT and she was a whole new kid. Straight A's,pays attention and still is herself!! Just can sit still Longer. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Well first of all, I cant believe his doctor diagnosed your son with ADD. Hes too young. Please wait till hes in school. That's when pretty much all doctors will test. I'm curios why he was told he has ADD. Did they ask more then just you questions and was this a psychologist? If its attention span, 3 year olds don't have one..lol. If hes aggressive it might be something else. Please edit your question and gives us more details to try and help you further. We all would hate for him to be misdiagnosed and you have more problems down the way.

Answer 9

Be patient with him and get a 2nd ,3rd 4th opinion.
My g'son was treated for same for years only to find out he had ASPERGES syndrome an offshoot of AUTISM in his late teens
.He was taking all of those drugs for something he didnt have.
Please be very careful there are dangerous side effects to some medications
.At 3 yrs he is still learning acceptable behaviours
It is up to you to guide him.
Always seek professional advice if in doubt
Above all Love him for who he is
I wish you and your family all the best
Have a nice day

Answer 10

you should consider getting a second opinion from another pediatrician. ADHD is diagnosed far to often and many times it can be remedied without medication- diet, exercise, healthy sleeping etc.

Answer 11

Get a routine and stick to it. ADHD persons have a hard time dealing with change so keep things routine as possible.