Issues keeping on task at school- Kindergarten

My DS is almost 6 and in K- so he is an older student, but his pre school career was not long- he was only able to go twice a week for 3 hours a day for 1 year due to issues with work and getting him to school. I worry because being in a classroom setting is sort of new to him, the teacher sent home a piece of class work yesterday and wrote on it that he would not stay on task and for 30 minutes did no work despite her efforts to direct him. I had him do the work last night as she asked, and we had a long talk about his behavior. I am now worried that maybe he has ADHD- if so I would rather be pro active with the issue than not address it with either therapy or if need be medication. Can anyone direct me to where I should start as far as having him tested?

At home DS is not what I would call hyper, he has his moments when he has had too much sugar but he is able to play independently for a good length of time.

Thanks for any guidance/ advice - this mothering crap is no joke- I want to cry you just worry so much

Issues keeping on task at school- Kindergarten

If I were you I would take a moment and a breath. If you have concerns I would start with the teacher. Schedule a face to face meeting to discuss your child, his overall habits, and if she has concerns. I do not think that his ability to sit still on one day, doing one project, with one note home is a reason to test him for ADHD especially since you said he has never been in school before, and he doesnt display these issues at home. One step at a time. See what the teacher says and go from there. Good luck!

Issues keeping on task at school- Kindergarten

He just needs time to adjust. My son is ASD and ADHD. He can not stay on task for more than 30 seconds. He has gone whole school days without completing work, I wish it was only 30 minutes.
We all have good days and bad days. Maybe he was just having an off day. If this is the first mention of a problem since school started in September I would say he is doing pretty well.

Re: Issues keeping on task at school- Kindergarten

I would not jump to an ADHD diagnosis based on one incident. You would see the same behavior at home, and it would be hard to miss in a boy.

5 and 6 year olds don't have the longest attention span, especially a child who hasn't been in a structured setting for more than a few hours - and that's totally fine.

It seems like he had a rough day. If he had ADHD this would be the norm all day, every day, not just one day and one assignment. I think you're making way too big a jump here. I think even as adults we have days that we have a hard time focusing and staying on task. Kindergarten is way too hard, IMO, and sometimes kids get overwhelmed. You said yourself he's not hyperactive, so maybe he just didn't understand this one assignment ? I wouldn't dwell on this.

Re: Issues keeping on task at school- Kindergarten

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate your insight.

Issues keeping on task at school- Kindergarten

I agree- if this is the first time you’re hearing about this kind of issue, I wouldn’t jump right to ADHD. It sounds like just an off day. See what the teacher says, set up a meeting with her.
I totally get the worry though!!! My DS just turned 7 and is in first grade.hes off the wall at Home most of the time. Just a TON of energy, hardly plays on his own unless it’s with electronics. BUT his teacher says he’s doing great in school, on grade level, participates, focuses, etc. and when I talked to the ped. At his well visit, the ped said adhd has to show the “symptoms” in more than one setting. So that’s something to think about too...