Well folks, it's only taken about 6 months from our first social worker visit to our most recent pediatric psychiatric trip but Little J has finally been diagnosed...with ADHD. Complete with his very own prescription.

After spending 6 months searching and reading every single ADHD website and about 5 ADHD books (more are in my pile) I wasn't the least bit surprised by the dx, but it still managed to unsettle me a little. I guess it's because now, when I read the books, instead of focusing on Little J's symptoms and thinking 'this has to be it,' I am reading the outcomes of life for kids with ADHD, and it ain't pretty. More likely to drop out of school, be in jail, steal stuff, be in trouble with money, etc., etc., etc.

Well, all I can say is: that won't happen to Little J. Not as long as I can help it.

It waits to be seen if the medication will help him. I'm really hoping it will. The options are limited for a child his age. We start on Saturday. Luckily, it's a 3-day weekend so we should know by the time he goes back to school whether the (lowest) dose is appropriate or not.

I spoke to his teacher, which I was dreading, and she was (surprisingly?) supportive. I guess I thought she'd think he was too young...but at the same time she knows almost better than anyone how he can be. One thing that really struck me (and her, when I told her) about what Little J had told the pscyhiatrist was that he said he hated school - because he was in trouble all the time. He is in trouble all the time, because he consistently breaks the rules. He can't help being so impulsive, but they have to give him repurcussions all the same. He has quite a little reputation for a 4 year old. I don't think he likes his rep.

Hopefully this will help him change. All I can do is hope!