Does my kid have ADHD?

 Hey Guys, 

I assume you're probably thinking what kind of question is "does my kid have ADHD?" For me, it's an honest one. I am the mother of a rambunctious little boy, Christopher Blake. He just turned 4 on March 14th (shout out to all the Pisces). Anyways, I like to think of myself as a very transparent and realistic person. As first-time moms, a lot of us question and worry about practically everything. That is no different with me. Just because, I inserted a picture of him below. 

Let me tell you a little about Christopher and his characteristics. For starters, he doesn't take naps, like not even from the time he was born. It was strange for me at first; how can an infant stay up all day and almost all night!? He started walking around 9-10 months old and would turn our house upside down. He couldn't sit still and didn't want to be detained in a play pin, highchair, or anything of the sort. Can you imagine trying to teach a baby their colors or numbers as they're busy adventuring through your house? It was a struggle, but he was able to retain everything. He knew animals and their sounds, numbers, colors, some sign language, and the ABC's all before his first birthday. He just never sat still for too long during his lessons. 

Today, he is no different. Only problem is that he attends school now and the freedoms he had been accustomed to for so long are no longer. His teachers struggle as they try to teach lessons and he's busy doing handstands in the middle of circle time. At this point, it would be negligent for me not to speak to a professional to help me help him. All the behaviors he displays are normal for where he is developmentally, but I needed reassurance. We started attending Child and Family Art Therapy. 

Our social worker is amazing. I expressed my concerns about Christopher, and she began to observe him through play and art. Not completely knowledgeable of the disorder and what it even looks like in a kid so young, I still asked her, "does my kid have ADHD?" After her assessment, she assured me that his behavior was normal for his age which was such a relief. She provided education and possible strategies to help support him. Though it may not be easy to diagnose for him now, she advised me to consider a more thorough assessment. 

Before I let you go, I think it is very important to be mindful of early childhood development, this is key for understanding your child. It provides a foundation for parents. Knowing about your child's development allows you to best support them. With this understanding, you know the right time to seek professional help. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask questions.

I'd like to share some resources for anyone interested in learning or having questions about their own children:

Is it ADHD or Typical Toddler Behavior? Ten Early Signs of ADHD Risk in Preschool Age Children | Kennedy Krieger Institute

Early Child Development | Stages & Characteristics (highspeedtraining.co.uk)

When and how to have your child evaluated for ADHD (K to 3) | BabyCenter