Aggressive toddler

[Lydia'sMom]

Is it likely that a 2 year old who is very aggressive towards her mother and refuses to do most things her mother asks of her has ADHD? My close friend, who is dyslexic and without internet is having behavioural problems with her toddler, apparently the HV unhlepfully said "don't worry we can treat ADHD with drugs". Are there help groups with techniques for drug free solutions to the problems they're experiencing?

[Top totty]

Oh dear. What a shame another child is going to be labeled as having ADHD when I bet they have nothing of the sort. Sorry I know I don't know the full story but I get so sick of hearing parents saying their child has this just because they might be struggling to have a bit of control over a toddler. Maybe what she needs is to watch one of these parenting marvel programmes that we are being subjected to every week and she might see that a good routine and a different way of handling her child will work wonders.

I think a lot of 2 year olds refuse at some point to do as they are told but we can't say they all have ADHD ??? or is this what is happening now and we can blame someone else or something else and pop a few pills and it will all be OK.

Perhaps another word with a proper Health visitor who will listen and give her time might be the next step.

[Eeeek]

Hi there, I am in no way medically qualified however i am the mother of a 2yrd old. I wouldnt say she is aggressive but we have been though a biting/hitting out stage and in addition i regularly ask her do do things and she completely ignores me. I am not worried about her i think she is perfectly normal she is just pushing me to see what she can get away with. Hope this helps.

[jake-the-peg]

Amazing how many "experts" there are on ADHD Especially those of the  "Snap out of it" tendency

My son was diagnosed with ADHD 6 years ago and takes a mild dose of Ritalin to help concentration on school days. The use of this turned around his schoolwork and he has had no adverse affects We've kept the dose the same as he has grown effectively reducing it - he's now coming off the medication entirely -age 13

Certainly it's not something to be entered into lightly  but in some cases it's a good option

Having said that ADHD is a member of a family of disorders and medication is not appropriate or effective for many

I also doubt that there'd be much enthusiasm to even start thinking about diagnosis at the age of two because this needs to be done over a period of time involving questionaires for you health visitors and schools This helps to distinguish between those with a genuine disorder and common growing-up behaviour

If it's of any help, although not uncommon in girls boys are more often affected and there is often a history in the family

Also think about potential triggers to the behaviour Many children have diet issues unrelated to ADHD For example both of my children did (and still do) exhibit marked reactions to both sugar and caffeine Fizzy drinks in my house have always been strictly diet only and Cola is a big no no

Don't panic, look at it over a period of time - is it truely different from others of that age - is there any coincidence with a particular food / being tired /hungry etc. If she's still worried get her to go and talk it over with her GP

Don't worry about drugs scare stories that certain tabloids love to pump out and people love to regurgitate They are being over used states but that has very definately not been my experience in the UK

[jake-the-peg]

Amazing how many "experts" there are on ADHD Especially those of the  "Snap out of it" tendency

My son was diagnosed with ADHD 6 years ago and takes a mild dose of Ritalin to help concentration on school days. The use of this turned around his schoolwork and he has had no adverse affects We've kept the dose the same as he has grown effectively reducing it - he's now coming off the medication entirely -age 13

Certainly it's not something to be entered into lightly  but in some cases it's a good option

Having said that ADHD is a member of a family of disorders and medication is not appropriate or effective for many

I also doubt that there'd be much enthusiasm to even start thinking about diagnosis at the age of two because this needs to be done over a period of time involving questionaires for you health visitors and schools This helps to distinguish between those with a genuine disorder and common growing-up behaviour

If it's of any help, although not uncommon in girls boys are more often affected and there is often a history in the family

Also think about potential triggers to the behaviour Many children have diet issues unrelated to ADHD For example both of my children did (and still do) exhibit marked reactions to both sugar and caffeine Fizzy drinks in my house have always been strictly diet only and Cola is a big no no

Don't panic, look at it over a period of time - is it truely different from others of that age - is there any coincidence with a particular food / being tired /hungry etc. If she's still worried get her to go and talk it over with her GP

Don't worry about drugs scare stories that certain tabloids love to pump out and people love to regurgitate They are being over used states but that has very definately not been my experience in the UK

[incitatus]

an approach that can be helpful even in ADHD is to restrict sugary foods and all food colourings in the diet.  There is a real link between high sucrose foods and agressive behaviour in the very young and similarly with yellow food colourings in particular.

[dirtyharriet]

All kids are challenging at this age, that's why it's called the "terrible twos" They are establishing independence and need firm boundaries. I have 4 boys and can tell you it was HELL. It's very normal for kids to react this way. Not pleasant but normal.
I don't know much about ADHD,but I think it's overdiagnosed. Kids are naturally boisterous. However I DO know that when I give my kids food with colourings and drinks with sodium benzoate in they go HYPER. When I changed my youngest from normal squash to organic his behaviour changed dramatically.

[munchbunch]

A good smack