is 4 to young?

Question

I went today for my daughter's school confrence . This is my daughter's first year in school. She has never been in a school setting before keep that in mind.
The teacher thinks she has A.d.d. becuase she gets easly distracted looking at what other children are doing. Also becuase she won't talk in school.
My daughter is very smart. She is new to all this stuff. We worked all night on writting the letter A and she got it.
Is A.d.d. overly dignosed? Does it sound like she has A.d.d.

Answer 1

In my opinion 4 is way too young to diagnose ADD.

What child doesn't have trouble concentrating at 4?

We are slowly creating a society of drugged children that don't need to be drugged and who knows the lasting effect it will have?

I still think you should take her to a doctor to see what he/she says but I would not put my child on medication at 4 years of age.

Answer 2

Okay, just so everyone on this page knows, ADD is a medical disease that is SEVERELY over diagnosed. A teacher can identify behaviors or characteristics that are common in children with ADD, but they CANNOT diagnose it. Take your child to a neurologist and get neurological exams to see weather or not your child actually has ADD.

Also, if she does have ADD, then try alternative behavioral modifications. The medications that children are being put on actually begin loosing their effectiveness as soon as the child begins taking them. Children build up a tolerance to the drugs, and an addiction.

When I was younger I was around to see my best friend come off of these drugs when she decided, at 14, that she didn't want to take them anymore. She actually went through physical withdraw ls and had to go into a rehab type program because the addiction was so severe.

She is now completely normal, with no attention problems, and has no problem functioning without medication. If she had begun behavioral modification at age 5 (when she started medication), instead of 14, then she probably would have had a lot easier time of it.

Answer 3

Your daughter sounds FAR from having ADD. What the teacher is saying doesn't even make sense! A child with ADD wouldn't be QUIET in school; not talking with her peers. A child with ADD would be a non-stop chatterbox, difficult to get back on task, and would be distracted by MUCH more stimulating things than watching what other children do. I would tell the teacher JUST THAT. Just google the term ADD on line and print some of it out and show it to the teacher. And then I'd let her supervisor know that she's really speaking out of line. She's definitely misinformed (which she shouldn't be if she's a certfied teacher).

These days, it seems like some people expect to have little, robotic children who perform on demand, listen the first time they are spoken to, pay attention for ridiculous amounts of time, and be perfect little angels without every being spoken to. Problem is, our children aren't robots, they're human. They need to be TAUGHT things, and b/c they are children, they won't get it right the first time. Sounds to me like this teacher's expectations are way high on the UNREALISTIC SCALE. Again, I'd mention this to both the teacher and her supervisor. I'd be concerned about her lack of knowledge where children are concerned.

Honestly, I don't think your daughter has ADD or any other medical problem. From what you describe; she sounds like a bright young lady who is well behaved in school. GOOD LUCK! And please try not to worry. That teacher is totally wrong.

Answer 4

I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in middle school. My mom had me tested I was on medication for all of three days. I refused to take it because it made me groggy and I didn't feel "all there". My ADD has not affected me at all since then. I made good grades in school, excel at my job and I believe that ADD may be real but is used as an excuse way too often. If you really are worried take her to a doctor, but try to keep the diagnosis out of her records. It could hurt her if she ever wants to go into the military, get a really good job, or various other things that people make decisions on based on paperwork.

She is 4 and all children have attention problems, as do adults. Work with her on priorities and when she has to pay attention. If her teacher next year raises the same opinion/questions then I would worry about it.

Answer 5

Coming from a mom of a 4 year old, who is in her 2nd year of preschool...if your daughter has A.D.D, then so do 90% of the other kids in my daughter's class. I myself was diagnosed as an adult with A.D.H.D, and haven't ever taken meds. My doctor said my whole life he kind of knew I had it, but since it never affected me (I mean, I started college at age 16), why bother b/c some people are better off w/o meds. I also worked with juveniles for awhile, and almost every single one of them had at one time been diagnosed A.D.D., so yes, I think, and I'm no expert, but I think it is highly over diagnosed. Maybe try talking to your pediatrician who has known your child for 4 years instead of the teachers that met her 2 months ago. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Repeat after me... ADD cannot be legitimately diagnosed until a child is at least 7. It is WAY over diagnosed by unqualified people who just want to medicate the child instead of teaching the child. Her first year in school is going to be chaotic for her, all the new rules, the new building and such. GET HER OUT OF THAT SCHOOL AND INTO ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH YOUR CHILD. They cannot even be tested until they are 7-8 because they don't know HOW to concentrate or pay attention.

My God, she is FOUR. She's still a baby, she's not a scholar yet... she is supposed to be distracted, it's a big interesting world. Next thing you know, your daughter will sneeze and her teacher will accuse her of having the Avian Flu or TB.

Answer 7

if you really want to be sure take her to see her doctor and have her tested. personally I think that ADD and ADHD are overly diagnosed and Ritalin is the cure all for all kinds of behaviors that are not considered appropriate. However, in some cases it is needed, but the % of kids who really need it is low compared to those who are given it just because they have problems adjusting or behavioral issues.
you asked if it sounded like she has ADD? I don't think so....she has only been in a school setting for such a short period of time, give her time to adjust to the new environment all kids are different and the amount of time they need to adjust varies. and I would be more concerned about it if she was 8 or 10 and having these problems.

Answer 8

Four is young. Sounds like the teacher just does not want to deal with children of that age. My daughter was the same way and still gets easily distracted but she is in the accelerated program at school and does not have ADD. All of this is new to her and she is trying to take it all in. Give her time and she will adjust. If you are still worried talk to your pediatrician.

Answer 9

I am a recently retired preschool/elem teacher and I would first ask what grade in school ? And what month is her birthday. She could be what I might say "emotionally not ready" Many smart kids are like this. Especially since she has had not much exposure to groups of kids working in a classroom. It really depends on what they are doing in school and what they are requiring of her. I wouldn't jump to conclusions about a.d.d. unless others outside of school have noticed it.

Answer 10

take her to a doctor for a check up and just mention it to him. I think she sounds lovely and normal. maybe just let her get used to her surroundings a bit first. And yes I think it is the most over diagnosed illness ever. my little cousin through her apple at a tree and the school said she had it. When did being a kid become an illness. Don't get me wrong i am well aware this is a very real and treatable condition however it is too easy for schools, parents and doctors to conclude