I'm a child psychologist and parent educator. My ChildSightTools® courses help parents see through kids eyes. Sign up for my weekly Newsletter!
Hi Reader,
Many parents, teachers, daycares and docs suspect ADHD in young kids.
Maybe it is, maybe not. It’s hard to tell under age 7.
Here are 3 big “foolers” which produce symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Such a sore topic for weary moms of picky eaters. 😫
Kids who “eat 5 things” may be fine on height and weight charts. But they may not get enough brain nutrients for focus and calm.
In my experience, 3 things masquerade as ADHD:
I’ve been humbled. Many kids no longer meet criteria for ADHD after basic dietary tweaks.
And don’t need me either.
Anxiety in young kids can masquerade as ADHD.
Overwhelm and worry compete with focus. And it’s hard to sit still when you’re nervous.
On the outside, anxiety often looks like:
Fast-paced, adult-driven schedules leave many young kids scattered. Distracted. And uncooperative.
Children as young as 4 have told my puppets:
I have no "me" time.
Reducing daily transitions and activities can improve behavior. I learned that in “real school" with young-child families.
If I rule out these factors and about 12 more ...
then mayyybe we’re talking ADHD in the under-7 crowd.
Developmental POV. Cool-head behavior tools. Attachment. Executive function. That's my ADHD approach in young kids.
That's also the Cool the Tantrums curriculum. Take a look. Sign up!
COMING SOON: Connect live with me in the new ChildSightTools® Membership Community.
Sign up for news and stay in the loop.
Send me CST Community Updates! |
See ya next time.
And remember ... Looking through your child's eyes changes everything.
Cheers!
Dr. Beth
Let's connect! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Got this from a friend? Get the newsletter yourself!
Subscribe here. |
I'm a child psychologist and parent educator. My ChildSightTools® courses help parents see through kids eyes. Sign up for my weekly Newsletter!
PARENTING PEACE Shed the Stress of Holiday Prep Hello again! Feel like you're sinking in holiday stress? This wonderful time of year can feel quite un-wonderful. Time pressure, planning, gift-getting. If you're feeling more dread than delight, you are not alone. My ChildSightTools® advice is always from the child's point of view. But this post is from yours. Why? Because your stress seeps into them ... doubling your load. Here are some ways to reduce the Stress of the Season with mantras....
GOOD DIRECTIONS 3 Ways to Help Separation Anxiety Hi there! Your little one (or one who's "getting too big for this") is clinging to you for dear life. Soaked with tears, your shirt is stuck to your neck. Fist-pulled and wrinkled, your shirt tells the tale of their desperation. Saying "You'll be fine, it'll be okay" only supercharges the tears. Have you been here? Panic and refusal may appear the same in different kids with separation anxiety. But the reasons may be worlds apart. Separation...
CHOICE POINTS So, now they hate you? Really?! Hello, again! "Did you get that newsletter?" I ask. Today's issue is among those I reach for the most. The "I Hate You" moment is common and so painful. Sharing this newsletter is the quickest way to help parents in my care. Here it is again, if you weren't with me back in April. No doubt, this is a nasty moment. Your lovey says “I hate you.” If you've already lost it, so be it! You're human. We cannot always choose our first response. But we can...