Does Anyone Have ADHD Kids?

[morgan24]

I took a 10 year old boy. I have not done school age in 10 years. Right now that is the ages I'm getting calls about. He is here for 1 1/2 hours after school and all day on non school days. Some days all he does is riles up the little kids, at least all the ones under 4. I have 4 other school age girls that are 7, 8 & 10, they do not do that. I have only had dcb for 1 month and one day he was out of control and I asked him to stop jumping and hopping around and he said that he couldn't help it because he's adhd. Dcm has never said anything about it and I haven't ask her either. He's okay for 1/2 hour after getting back from school and then he moves in and out of where every else is playing and having a good time and starts pick at them, taking their toys and many other annoying things.

If he is adhd could that be the time the meds are wearing off? He is an only child but from what I got from dcm he has been in daycare because she has always worked. The older girls all refuse to play with him because of the way he acts. I will have him for one week of Christmas break and if that is the way he is all day, I really don't think that I can handle him. I really prefer 5 and under. I don't really know much about adhd so I could use some suggestions.

[sharlan]

ADHD is often, not always, an excuse for bad behavior.

I've had a rough time with two 9 yos this year. I was out of practice. If they start riling the little ones up, I threaten them with preschool cartoons. I've also found that a craft will keep them quiet for 5 - 10 mins.

[youretooloud]

I've only had one kid who was totally out of hand. I dropped him immediately, and told the mom he was way over my head.

She claimed he never acted bad at home. But, also told me she has several locks on all door to keep him from getting out, and that he once scaled a six foot wooden gate to get out of his yard. He was unmediated because "there was nothing wrong".

Other than that, I've had some rowdy kids, but never unmanageable. I've only had one other child who was on ADHD meds, and I didn't have him long enough to cause trouble.

[safechner]

I had 7 years old dcb who has ADHD and I noticed It helps if he plays the game like Nintendo DS to keep him quiet for a couple hours.

[youretooloud]

I had 7 years old dcb who has ADHD and I noticed It helps if he plays the game like Nintendo DS to keep him quiet for a couple hours.

That's a good idea!

[morgan24]

I had 7 years old dcb who has ADHD and I noticed It helps if he plays the game like Nintendo DS to keep him quiet for a couple hours.

I don't know if he really is(he says he is) or if he doesn't know how to play. I did have him one morning for a couple of hours and he brought his ds and played that the whole time and was very quiet. I have never had a ADHD child and really don't have any idea how they act.

[PitterPatter]

My 9 yr old son has ADHD. He has been on meds for a while now. TRUE ADHD kids can't always control what they do. They get frustrated and try but are just so impulsive. Some parents just assume they have ADHD because they are hyper. Probably lack of parenting and routine. I have worked with a couple other children who had ADHD and no 2 are exactly the same. Routine is a must! Try to engage them in tasks/games that make them think. Our therapist said those kinds of activities help. The video games and TV actually make the ADHD symptoms worse because they are being trained for instant gradification instead of learning patience and coping. Games like checkers, tic tac toe, chess, anything that makes them take the time to think for a minute will help. Mine will also calm and relax when we make crafts and paint.

HTH

LOL I hope I fixed all the typos maybe it will make sense now!

[krissy_mo]

I would straight up ask mom. Because today, "I have ADHD" is catch phrase for some school kids... more of a joke... so it's possible that he said it as a joke and didn't really mean it.... or it's possible he is and mom didn't tell you thinking she wouldn't have daycare or you'd charge more.

If she denies it, then you can go ahead and crack down discipline wise. I know that my catch phrase for disobedience in the older kids was always, "well, if you can't control yourself, then I have to." plus "assigning" their play area. I would get out a box of legos and say, "since you admitted that you can't control yourself, this is your blanket and box of legos to play with. Please don't get off the blanket unless you have to go to the bathroom and we can try again after lunch and see if you are better at controlling yourself."

This worked with a lot of my school agers really well. By the way, in between when they are behaving, I make sure to heap on the praise and good things so that being at my home isn't all negative... but yeah, I don't mind being pretty strict with older kids... I think they need it.

(I did school agers for two years and loved it... the kids loved it too)

[Ariana]

I'm not a DR but could it just be plain 'ol boredom? Everybody is being labeled ADHD these days and consequently being drugged up. I'm not saying some don't need it but not all kids are ADHD. Think about it, he's at school expected to sit still and work all day then comes to your place and it continues. How about some phsical activity to get his pent up energy out? Some kids really need that.

[morgan24]

Thanks for all the information. I think part of it is boredom. At home he is an only child, he has all 3 of the ds's, xbox, his own laptop and his own T.V. Here he can't play games with the girls because he gets really angry if he loses and if he wins the party he throws himself is out of hand. Now the girls refuse to play with him. He gets angry when I won't let him watch T.V. I don't have one in my daycare area. When he starts getting out of control I have him sit in a chair, until I think he can control himself ( 5/6 minutes) then I let him try again, some days he does good and other days he rotates in and out of the chair. I think I will see what goes on over the break and if he can't play and go by the rules I will let dcm know that I don't think this is the right place for him.

Pitterpatter, Can ADHD kids concentrate to read a book for along time? He can sit and read for quite awhile when it's just him. He's here 15/20 minutes after everyone else leaves and he usually reads.

[Unregistered]

I took a 10 year old boy. I have not done school age in 10 years. Right now that is the ages I'm getting calls about. He is here for 1 1/2 hours after school and all day on non school days. Some days all he does is riles up the little kids, at least all the ones under 4. I have 4 other school age girls that are 7, 8 & 10, they do not do that. I have only had dcb for 1 month and one day he was out of control and I asked him to stop jumping and hopping around and he said that he couldn't help it because he's adhd. Dcm has never said anything about it and I haven't ask her either. He's okay for 1/2 hour after getting back from school and then he moves in and out of where every else is playing and having a good time and starts pick at them, taking their toys and many other annoying things.

If he is adhd could that be the time the meds are wearing off? He is an only child but from what I got from dcm he has been in daycare because she has always worked. The older girls all refuse to play with him because of the way he acts. I will have him for one week of Christmas break and if that is the way he is all day, I really don't think that I can handle him. I really prefer 5 and under. I don't really know much about adhd so I could use some suggestions.

I have a Son who is combined type ADHD inattentive/impulsive and his meds do wear off by the time he comes home from school. After homework I tell him to go jump on our big trampoline to get his energy out then he is allowed to play his video games for awhile which helps him stay a little calm. Like the other poster said rountine is very important with an ADHD child and also say what you mean and mean what you say and you have to be consisent with these children one little letting them get by then it will be expected each time. Also even thou my son is ADHD I NEVER let him or do I use it as an excuse for him misbehaving so put a stop to the boy saying that right now.

[Christian Mother]

My 9 yr old son has ADHD. He has been on meds for a while now. TRUE ADHD kids can't always control what they do. They get frustrated and try but are just so impulsive. Some parents just assume they have ADHD because they are hyper. Probably lack of parenting and routine. I have worked with a couple other children who had ADHD and no 2 are exactly the same. Routine is a must! Try to engage them in tasks/games that make them think. Our therapist said those kinds of activities help. The video games and TV actually make the ADHD symptoms worse because they are being trained for instant grarification instead of learning patience and coping. Games like checkers, toc tac toe, chess, anything that makes them take the time to think for a minute will help. Mine will also calm and relax when we make crafts and paint.

HTH

Pitter gave wonderful advise...my 9 yr old son is ADHD. He is on Intuniv which is a med. used as a blood thinner...for blood pressure so the side effects are very low. I love it!! There are three types of adhd children..my son is inattentive. We where told that it is a handicap of sorts. He can't control it...you can't blame him or get upset bc his brain is not firing correctly. For our son he wasn't hyper he just could not focus...he was all over the place and everything distracted him. It made him frustrated. This is going to sound weird but giving him some of my coffee in the morning really helped to. Not that that is a good thing to give a child but the coffee calmed him down..it should do the opposite...kind of make him bounce of the walls. It doesn't. He is still getting in trouble in school but it is bc he likes to talk a lot in class. He should be paying attention to his teacher but he likes to chit chat quiet a bit. We have a rule here at home...I won't allow him or anyone to misbehave just bc he is adhd. It's not to be used as an excuse. There are serious consequences for his behavior. I like to see him try and I am in constant contact with his teacher to see how he is doing. Where I can help. One thing that really helps children with ADHD is thought provoked games. Legos are def. something you should get for this guy....building and problem solving...all by him self. My son loves to role play with halo guys...they have the mega blocks that you put together in ships...see if he has those at home and have him bring it to your house to construct. My son will not sit and read a book unless I put a 15min timer on and make him sit on the couch. He hates to read even though he has several diff. favorite books. It just doesn't want to miss out on anything. I would say xbox and nintendo ds are good but limit the amount of time on it. My son is only allowed to play when the last child is here. Also, lots of play time out side. My son loves to play football and games that involve tossing and catching. Works there minds and bodies. My child is like your dcb's. He will get them all wild up...the kids love it. I just tell my son time for you to go down stairs to play or out side. I don't put my son in time out anymore. I start taking things away..that does the trick. But def. think about getting a tub full of legos that should get him to calm down and have some fun.

[morgan24]

Thanks I will try some of these ideas and let you know how it goes.

A little side note today at pick up dcm said dcd got a job offer 50 miles from here so they might move in between their jobs. So I may not have to worry about the summer.

[PitterPatter]

Pitter gave wonderful advise...my 9 yr old son is ADHD. He is on Intuniv which is a med. used as a blood thinner...for blood pressure so the side effects are very low. I love it!! There are three types of adhd children..my son is inattentive. We where told that it is a handicap of sorts. He can't control it...you can't blame him or get upset bc his brain is not firing correctly. For our son he wasn't hyper he just could not focus...he was all over the place and everything distracted him. It made him frustrated. This is going to sound weird but giving him some of my coffee in the morning really helped to. Not that that is a good thing to give a child but the coffee calmed him down..it should do the opposite...kind of make him bounce of the walls. It doesn't. He is still getting in trouble in school but it is bc he likes to talk a lot in class. He should be paying attention to his teacher but he likes to chit chat quiet a bit. We have a rule here at home...I won't allow him or anyone to misbehave just bc he is adhd. It's not to be used as an excuse. There are serious consequences for his behavior. I like to see him try and I am in constant contact with his teacher to see how he is doing. Where I can help. One thing that really helps children with ADHD is thought provoked games. Legos are def. something you should get for this guy....building and problem solving...all by him self. My son loves to role play with halo guys...they have the mega blocks that you put together in ships...see if he has those at home and have him bring it to your house to construct. My son will not sit and read a book unless I put a 15min timer on and make him sit on the couch. He hates to read even though he has several diff. favorite books. It just doesn't want to miss out on anything. I would say xbox and nintendo ds are good but limit the amount of time on it. My son is only allowed to play when the last child is here. Also, lots of play time out side. My son loves to play football and games that involve tossing and catching. Works there minds and bodies. My child is like your dcb's. He will get them all wild up...the kids love it. I just tell my son time for you to go down stairs to play or out side. I don't put my son in time out anymore. I start taking things away..that does the trick. But def. think about getting a tub full of legos that should get him to calm down and have some fun.

I have heard of giving them coffee just havent tried it yet. It makes perfect sense to me because the meds that he has been on are all stimulants. Maybe I will send him to school with a thermos of coffee for lunch and a candycane for snack ::

[Kaddidle Care]

I tried the coffee - or pepsi/mountain dew, etc. All it did was make my son more irritable.

I would outright ask Mom to see if he truly is ADHD first. Let her know he is blaming it for his behavior.

It could be his meds are wearing off but a 10 year old in a group of 4 year olds don't mix. He's probably bored and is showing off - big man on campus stuff.

Ask his Mom what turns him on. My son loved mazes and puzzle books. He liked jigsaw puzzles and games. Games are tough because you are watching the other children and can't really play with him unless it's nap time for them.

If you have a craft, maybe you can get him to help the little ones with it. It might actually be something he would enjoy. He can play Teacher with them.

I hope you can find something that keeps his interest.