What is a good age to get a child tested for adhd?
Answer:
As Soon As They Show Symptoms Like 3 Years Old
as soon as possible ......talk with ur pediatrician they have new test that can determine it when the child is just a baby.
I would like more details. Generally they don't do much in the way of testing until a child enters school and exhibits difficulty with school work. There are other disorders that can imitate ADHD, and those can and should be diagnosed earlier. A good place to start would be with a developmental pediatrician. I have heard of 3 and 4 year olds being diagnosed, but I think that is pretty rare.
as soon as you see symtoms
Never unless you plan on treating your child is a less disgusting way than the norm ie. ritalin aka prescription speed. Look into the long term effects of these stimulants used to 'treat' adhd. You'll find that a large percentage of these children end up abusing their medications on their own and with friends, use other drugs/alcohol and battle with addiction, mood swings and depression more so than the adverage child that was not given amphetamines.
No, I'm not against medication to treat disorders. I simply have personal experience in this area and find that the unnecessary challenges for children and the over diagnoses of adhd to be disgusting. Most kids who are diagnosed with adhd are normal children. Children are loud obnoxious creatures. If you can't handle a child, perhaps you shouldn't have had one.
I had my son tested at 5 years of age. He had signs since he was three. But most doctors will not prescribe them anything until the age of five. There is forms that a doctor will give to you to send to teachers and daycare provider to evaluate him. And I also believe you will fill one out.
Don't be too quick to jump the ADD bandwagon. There are other causes for hyperactivity. One of the most common is food allergies and only you can check this. Make note of the foods he eats and the level of activity after eating them. Start being conscious of what foods he has eaten before a particular period of high level activity.
At least look at this article. (next to last paragraph especially)
http://allergies.about.com/cs/children/a...
Don't medicate until it's a last resort!
I am a mom and a teacher and I would not be quick to say that a child has ADHD. There are some Dr.'s that hand out drugs like candy and some parents that are willing to take it. It has been proven that the right foods and discipline can help with a child's activity level. I would try all other things before drugs. I have a very active one and a half year old and I make sure to use healthy foods and prompt propper discipline measures with him. Also, sometimes what is seen as hyperactivity in school is just a child needing to move or play. Kids have different learning styles. Some learn by moving, some be reading, hearing, etc. Yours, may be a mover. And if you have a boy, boys tend to be more of movers anyways. I would try to work with him/her before looking to get meds.
Try a sticker/reward chart. If they do certain things at home/school they get stickers which lead to rewards. A new toy, a pizza dinner, etc whatever is special for your family. These types of things have worked really well for kids. Kids want to please their parents, so let them. Don't set them up for failure, give them smaller tasks that can be accomplished, and reward it.
Speak to your doctor.
My sister's youngest son is adhd. It was extremely obvious that he was before he was tested (could not sit still to save his life - not even for his favorite movies or tv shows). She had him tested at 4. She lucked out because her pediatrician is also one of the state's leading experts on adhd (state of WI). Her son is now 10, and with medication (Contrara, I think), he does awesome with school, and can do what he needs to. He is much happier as well, for he doesn't think that he is stupid, like he did before the medication, and he isn't depressed anymore.
If your doctor will not test your kid, then see one that will. You can always get second opinions, and that isn't bad. You can also contact your family resource department for your county/state, and they will recommend a professional that may be able to help.
It is a rather strange myth that a child with adhd will be "cured" with more discipline. To get a child to listen (which they rarely do still) you would have to commit child abuse. I find it strange to see/hear those that don't think there is any such thing as adhd, and don't feel that medication are never the way to go. Yes - there are those that are quick to diagnose a problem child with adhd, and yes - there are those that wish to medicate problem children. That is why you need to find a trained professional that is familiar with adhd, and knows how to test for it and effectively medicate - not sedate - the child. Your kid should never be sluggish or dazed due to the medication. It should only aid them in concentration and slowing down the mind enough to keep up with it and the thought processes. A good doctor will know this, and do just that.
Good luck!!
When my daughter was 3 I would have swore she was adhd however her pediatrician told me she that she felt it was more a stage of her demanding independance and not adhd, but she did monitor her and we worked with her pre-school teachers as well. She is now almost 9 and so NOT adhd. My son however is but again his pediatrician would not even consider diagnosing him as such until he had been in school for at least a year and she could get input from his teachers and she didn't count pre-k as school. Usually in kindergarten a child that is adhd will have a harder time adapting to the environment they are being put in and a teacher that is patient and knowledgeable can often alert the parents as to any behavoir that needs to be addressed and can be a big help in the diagnosis. i know our doctor listens to what I say he is like at home but is more worried about how his teacher sees it as the 8 hours there are the most critical of his life right now. In April before he finished kindergarten she sent out forms to his teacher for her to complete on how SHE observed his behavoir then went over them along with what I said and what she observed and only then did we get the diagnosis. adhd is a very stressful thing for everyone including your child, but IF you get the diagnosis that is only part of the solution then you have to figure out how to deal with it. You can go with strict diets and routines to help as well as meds but as many will say some doctors just hand out meds, also although I have great respect for teachers you do have some that would rather a curious child be drugged as to have to take the extra time to find out what works for that child. But back to your question if you are wanting an honest and accurate diagnosis then it won't happen until at least 3/4 of kindergarten is finished.
diffenly not when there three that is much to young. I suggest when they are about 6. The average 3 year old will have an attention span of 6 min. (age times 3)
Good question I like to know myself. My 4 year old is the same way . I feel like Anytime after 3 would be ok . I dont know if it is right to put them on meds at that young age but feel that you have to know answers b4 school starts
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