Dear Dr. Debbie,
Our kindergartener seems to be having a rough adjustment to school. He’s always been active but we were advised by the pediatrician to wait until school age (1st grade?) before getting an assessment for ADHD and talking about medication. Since he started kindergarten we see meltdowns, overreactions to the slightest things (both positive and negative), impulsive behavior, non-stop movement from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed, inattentiveness to activities including those he enjoys, and general “in your face” annoyances to people around him.
The teacher hasn’t mentioned any concerns which seems odd. Maybe she’s waiting for the Parent-Teacher conference.
He’s Happy but Hyper
Dear H.H.b.H.
Kindergarten is often a huge adjustment considering the challenges of: a rigid schedule for six hours of the day – possibly including a bus ride for the first time, a sea of new classmates to get to know, a new teacher (often without an assistant) whose attention is hard to get, new concepts and skills to grasp in limited blocks of time, and a whole new set of rules and procedures. A kindergartner must be alert to the behavior standards of the teacher and his classmates, as well as the consequences for not following the rules.
This is a lot for a five-year-old. This is overwhelming for a child with neurodivergence such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity. (Other diagnoses to explore include Autism Spectrum Disorder which can include flying off the handle when routines are disrupted, the very rare PANDAS Syndrome which can include sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and “simple” but unbearable childhood anxiety.
Medications
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that medication be used to treat ADHD for children age 6 and up and only after behavior therapy has been tried.
There are pros and cons to medicating a child with ADHD. Yes, you would need a diagnosis first, so definitely schedule a consultation with the pediatrician. He or she may have questions for the kindergarten teacher about your child’s behavior at school. If she is an experienced teacher she should be able to easily compare your son’s abilities and inabilities to that of many other children she has worked with. She may also agree that there’s no point in diagnosing (nor medicating) at child at this age.
Activity
Maybe the kindergarten teacher includes a lot of physical activity in the day’s schedule which is why you haven’t heard any concerns from her. Maybe the amount of movement allowed is the bare minimum your five-year-old needs to cope with a six-hour day of school. But after that is over, and especially if he has to endure a car or bus ride at the end of the day, his afterschool time should have a lot more movement in it to make up for the hours of sitting at school.
Many parents and teachers see tremendous improvement in a student’s ability to be successful with sitting through the school day with increased opportunities to move before school and after school, too. The simple tactic of running around the yard for 15 minutes in the morning could prove to be successful for your son and will therefore reduce any anxiety about trying to the right thing during the whole school day.
Diet
Making changes to his diet can also be helpful. Dr. Benjamin Feingold first proposed his Feingold Diet in the 1970’s as an approach to helping children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity. Food dyes were considered the main culprit considering the huge amount of it in foods popular with children. Some critics suggested that improvements in children’s behavior were most likely due to more home-cooked meals – with an increase in time spent as a family – rather than just a change in the foods eaten.
The notion that there’s a link between diet and ADHD has contemporary support from reputable sources such as the Hackensack Meridian Health Network in New Jersey. The main dietary culprits are identified as sugar and white flour. They also name synthetic food dyes as being a possible factor in ADHD and other neurobehavioral disorders.
They additionally recommend paying attention to Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and water intake to reduce undesirable behaviors.
Omega-3 is found in: salmon, sardines, tuna fish, shrimp, wild rice, spinach, navy beans, winter squash, flaxseeds, walnuts, brussels sprouts, and avocados).
Protein rich foods help increase the production of neurotransmitters – such as dopamine – which are essential for maintaining attention and focus. Protein-rich foods such as lean meats, fish, and eggs, can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Hydration is also important for clear thinking and emotional regulation. The Hackensack Meridian webpage states, “Even mild dehydration can lead to reduced cognitive function and increased irritability. Encouraging your child to drink enough water throughout the day can help support better behavior and concentration.”
Increased physical activity and a healthy diet may be all that’s needed to smooth out the rough spots in your little boy’s behavior.
Dr. Debbie
Write your question to Dr. Debbie! Please include age(s) of your child(ren) and other details about the situation or concern.
Deborah Wood, Ph.D. is a child development specialist and founding director of Chesapeake Children’s Museum, located at 25 Silopanna Road in Annapolis.
CCM is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily. Online reservations are available or call: 410-990-1993. Walk-ins are welcome. Girl Scout Cadettes can register for the Night Owl Badge on Friday, October 17. Trail Adventure for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors will take place on Saturday morning, October 18. Savoring Science – the Science of Squash will take place on Sunday, October 19. Art and Story Time with Mrs. Spears and Puppy the Puppet is on Monday mornings at 10:30 am. Each Thursday there is a Nature Walk at 10:30 am. As part of Anne Arundel County’s Walktober, all nature walks this month are FREE!
