We started having trouble with my son at age 2. It is really hard to find anything you can take away that will make a difference. One therapist said they lack to ability to reason correctly when it comes to concequences. I used to take every single thing in my son's room and put them in big trash bags. If he would obey he would get one thing back. I even threw things out when he wouldn't listen. That do something and get a reward system just doesn't work.
I ended up using a lot of candy and medication helped a lot. They also taught me to schedule every little thing and if we needed to change anything discuss it many times well in advance. Overstimulation was also a problem. The trash bag thing was actually helpful in a way. I was told ADHD kids can't handle like have a shelf full of toys or too many choices so hiding all the toys and only giving one at a time was good. Put it away and out of sight before bringing out the next one.
However none of that is going to do you much good at school where you can't control the environment and there is usually a lot going on. How is the classroom? Does the teacher have good control? Sometimes a really strict regimented teacher might do better. My son frequently did well with teacher other parents shied away from as being "too mean", but their classrooms were overly organized and quieter.
Luckily I had my son diagnosed at 4 and medication stable by 6. Took us two years, but then things did get better at school. Wish you the very best.

Forgot to say the rewards have to be instant. Waiting until after school or building up to a reward is what they can't comprehend according to the therapist. Candy worked as he got one piece immediately after completing one task. But we couldn't build up to anything bigger.

I will have to try taking more out of her bedroom and keep everything simple and organized. I think I might have ADD as well so it will be good for me also. Her teacher seems to have some control, but can't get her back in to focus sometimes so she has sent her to the principle's office I think with all the other children around and her friends and stimulation distracts her and then she loses her focus, but I don't know how much of it is her acting out so she can leave the room or get her way and get sent home. It's so frusterating and I'm even planning on changing her to a psychiatrist because she is now seeing an NP and I think he just over medicates her, but I can't get into the 1 that her therapist referred until March I feel like I'm getting the run around. IDK I just hope we can figure something out soon.

I don't have any advice to give you, but I wanted to thank you for sharing this. My 4 year old was just diagnosed and I'm grateful that there are others experiencing the same things as me. I really like the ideas that are given in this threat and I will have to try some! Again, I just wanted to say thanks

When my daughter went to kindergarten, first day she was kicking and screaming, as she would not sit down. She wanted to do what she wanted to do. They had to lock her in an empty classroom. I sat her down and talked with her. She liked going to school. She liked the teachers and other children.The problem was she did not understand there were rules to follow if she wanted to stay there. I explained the rules and what was expected. The teacher could not believe the next day she was the same child. ADD adults and children are poor listeners. We have to make eye contact and maybe repeat something more then once to children.

Despite what some people say...my children are 18 and 25 and if they have too much sugar they act like they are high. They have enough energy and sugar gives them more. I always limited their sugar. My son thought Ritz crackers were cookies until he started school.

Rewards and punishment has to be right then and there. They change their behavior and they get back what was taken from them. Saying you are going to do something does not work.

I also asked the teachers to put my children in the front. If they seemed to be daydreaming the teacher would tap on the desk. Also by being in the front they were not distracted by what other students were doing.

Oh, another note neither of my children ever took medication.

My son stated running into difficulties in kindergarten as well. We asked that he be transferred to another teacher and he faired a little better. He is now in the fourth grade and we are still dealing with challenges, but we have opted to not medicate him. We are trying training, behavior modification and therapy. He is very sweet and compassionate, just has ants I his pants and we do not want to alter his personality with chemicals if not absolutely necessary.

One of the things we have found helpful is a daily report from his teachers, it is positive he earns time on X-Box. So every day he has the ability to ear rewards. Of course the rewards will change as his tastes change, but for now this is working.


Your little girl is on 6, and kids with ADHD take little longer to mature. Have you reached out to the school social worker for support? counseling? I fund some of my son's teachers were very intolerant. Don't forget to be your daughter's advocate.

Wish you the very best.

I went through the same thing with my son. After going through three teachers, 2 IEP meetings at the school, and tons of tears... things have gotten better. Does she need a fidget toy at school? I know it sounds weird but kids with ADHD need constant sensory stimulation. Basically, they have to be moving to be able to focus. I started sending my son with fidget toys (have to get it approved by school otherwise teacher takes them away and it has been a miracle.

Here are some reviews on different types...
http://adhdandkids.com/reviews

Here is an article that may shed some light on things, too..
http://adhdandkids.com/my-child-is-having-trouble-in-kindergarten#comment-14

My son is in Kindergarten and constantly has to be in charge of his friends, which is clearly off-putting. He doesn't get invited on play dates and when we have one at our home, I'm nearly sick because he might have an outburst. With my son, there is so much impulsivity, we never know what he's going to do next, which makes life very difficult and sometimes we feel helpless. He's 6 and had been on medications, in hospitals, to multiple doctors, has school support (an aid), but something is still not right. He's either erratic and aggressive or zoned out and non-responsive. Could be the meds. I don't know, we've tried them all. He also has ODD...which is horrible to deal with. It's just so tough wondering what's next. I mean life is like that...you don't know what's next, but I feel like we are on egg shells forever and my poor baby is struggling so much despite everything we've put in place. We have the normal ADHD concentrations/hyper stuff, but the aggressiveness and major, major impulsivity out of no where makes us nervous to even pick him up from school bc of what the report will be, let alone taking him to fun activities (which we do all the time, but we're constantly anxious about it). Does anyone have any survival stories? Do some of the symptoms go away as they mature, do they start to realize what their actions are reprocessing? Is it worth trying different medications when things are "medium" or ok -- just not "good?" Just feel helpless. And scared for his future.