| Posted By |
Message |
KAAM
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1247 total posts
Name:
|
Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
DS is 2 1/2. Goes to school 2x week for 3 hours.
I posted on here earlier in the year that during conferences, teacher mentioned DS does not sit for the art activities. I assumed he didnt like arts and crafts.
Now this week, she pulls me into the hall and tells me they are having a tough time getting him to sit at the table for any activity, he basically wants to run around and play with the toys.
In so many words, she recommended an outside eval.
DS is currently getting Speech through EI and we will be starting the process of the pre-school eval through the district to continue services.
I spoke to the director of the school. She said since DS will be evaluated anyway, just ask for this test too.
Any feedback would be appreciated. I have so many feelings going on inside. 
|
Posted 4/9/11 1:27 PM  |
| |
|
SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
I'm a PK teacher. Honestly at 2.5 I don't think any child would do well sitting for more than 5 minutes.
Having said that; the teacher does have a number of children in her class. Perhaps she sees something w/ your DS that is different from the other children? Is he a late birthday & therefore younger than a lot of the other children in the class? Will he sit for periods of time at home if he is engaged in something?
Of course hearing his teacher say this to you is tough to hear; however, if you are having him evaluated for speech; there's no harm in doing the extra test. If it does show something than you have a heads up and can go through the next steps. If not, then you proved the teacher wrong and you know there is currently no issue.
|
| Posted 4/9/11 2:15 PM |
| |
|
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
My DS just turned 4 and is considered at risk for ADHD. I originally got him evaluated by EI at 2 and his impulsiveness and need for redirection and lack of attention span was picked up during his evals. I knew his attention span was off by 15 mo. Ver early, but it was different than other kids.
It doesn't hurt to get a full eval. It can only help 
|
| Posted 4/9/11 2:51 PM |
| |
|
KAAM
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1247 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
I guess Im frustrated at knowing the difference between an "active toddler" and ADHD. How do you know when they need too much re-direction, lack attention skills?
|
| Posted 4/9/11 3:03 PM |
| |
|
PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
I am an elementary school teacher and taught kindergarten for 13 years before moving to a higher grade. I consider myself very knowledgeable concering children, behavior and what's normal.
That said I was FLOORED when, at 3.5, my son's preschool teacher suggested we have him evaluated for ADHD. He showed no signs TO ME, but I know lots of parents are often in denial regarding these things so I began the preliminaries to an eval.
When I spoke to our ped. she said my son was completely normal as a fidgety preschooler and that it's very uncommon to be able to diagnose ADHD before age 7. I decided to forget the eval for the time being and see what played out through the years.
Long story short, he's now 7 and shows no signs of ADHD, and with the exception of that teacher no one has ever mentioned it to me.
SO ~ I say to go with your gut. Just because a "teacher" mentions it does not necessarily mean it's a possibility. Do the eval if it will give you peace of mind, but in the end trust your gut.
Good luck!
|
| Posted 4/9/11 5:39 PM |
| |
|
Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Too young to test for ADHD at this age. My ped wouldn't even listen till he was at least 5 years old. Sounds like the teacher and the director need some training to me. It is totally normal for a child that age not to have much of an attention span.
|
| Posted 4/9/11 5:40 PM |
| |
|
nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Posted by Stacey1403
Too young to test for ADHD at this age. My ped wouldn't even listen till he was at least 5 years old. Sounds like the teacher and the director need some training to me. It is totally normal for a child that age not to have much of an attention span.
ITA. Same experience.
|
| Posted 4/9/11 6:53 PM |
| |
|
KAAM
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1247 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Posted by nrthshgrl
Posted by Stacey1403
Too young to test for ADHD at this age. My ped wouldn't even listen till he was at least 5 years old. Sounds like the teacher and the director need some training to me. It is totally normal for a child that age not to have much of an attention span.
ITA. Same experience.
That was my initial reaction as well, "isnt 2 1/2 too young to be discussing this?"
Im really upset how this whole situation was handled. Im going to follow up with the school district as well as our Ped as see what they have to say. But this whole thing made me sooo upset, for days.
|
| Posted 4/9/11 7:04 PM |
| |
|
sweetie101
you make me smile :o)
Member since 5/08 4419 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
|
| Posted 4/9/11 9:10 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Posted by Amy
Posted by nrthshgrl
Posted by Stacey1403
Too young to test for ADHD at this age. My ped wouldn't even listen till he was at least 5 years old. Sounds like the teacher and the director need some training to me. It is totally normal for a child that age not to have much of an attention span.
ITA. Same experience.
That was my initial reaction as well, "isnt 2 1/2 too young to be discussing this?"
Im really upset how this whole situation was handled. Im going to follow up with the school district as well as our Ped as see what they have to say. But this whole thing made me sooo upset, for days.
I agree, he is too young for ADHD. You can have him evaluated to get SEIT services though, just to help him with attention/focus.
Don't be upset.
|
| Posted 4/9/11 9:20 PM |
| |
|
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Posted by KerriSteve
I agree, he is too young for ADHD. You can have him evaluated to get SEIT services though, just to help him with attention/focus.
Don't be upset.
I agree. I got my DS evaluated but will not allow a diagnosis to be made, and most won't until a child is 6 or 7. BUT I do think it's important to get them help with a SEIT or other services to help them learn to cope in a classroom setting. The earlier the better.
|
| Posted 4/10/11 11:29 PM |
| |
|
A3CM
Avatar Title
Member since 9/08 3762 total posts
Name:
Mommy
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
you cannot get a true diagnosis of ADHD at 2.5
any respected doctor would never put their name on the line like that.
ADHD cannot truly be DX until at least 4 or 5 at the earliest.
|
| Posted 4/11/11 7:05 AM |
| |
|
Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
ITA with all the other posters. I don't know a 2.5 year old who can sit sill.
DS is at risk for ADHD as well, but what is on his IEP (and this, I think, is true for all preschoolers) is "preschooler with a disability"
That being said, we were told that from ages 3-5 any calls to CPSE get full testing, no matter what (we had just called for speech) I don't know if this is a Suffolk County, NYS or US requirement though.
I would wait until 3 to bring him up to CPSE and get full testing.
|
| Posted 4/11/11 8:04 AM |
| |
|
LisaI
Momma's Little Beans
Member since 1/06 3923 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
I would get the evaluation, however at that age I am pretty sure it's 100% normal! I know many 2-3yr. olds that do not want to sit in a structured environment. They do eventually grow into it. good luck.
|
| Posted 4/11/11 9:03 AM |
| |
|
Kathy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/05 718 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
My pediatrician recommends not being evaluated until they are 5 and having trouble in kindergarten.
|
| Posted 4/11/11 11:00 AM |
| |
|
KAAM
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1247 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Thanks for all of the responses. I appreciate the feedback.
DH and I have decided since he only goes to school 2x a week, and he just started Speech Therapy this week, we are going to give it some time. If in a few months from now we are hearing the same issues, I have no problem seeking further evals to address the issue.
|
| Posted 4/11/11 3:22 PM |
| |
|
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
|
Re: Pre-school teacher suggested we get DS tested for ADHD
Posted by Amy
Thanks for all of the responses. I appreciate the feedback.
DH and I have decided since he only goes to school 2x a week, and he just started Speech Therapy this week, we are going to give it some time. If in a few months from now we are hearing the same issues, I have no problem seeking further evals to address the issue.
I think this is a good idea. Plus if the speech therapist notices attention issues that are interfering with her session she will bring it to your attention.
|
| Posted 4/12/11 2:29 PM |
| |
|
