4 Year old Behaviour Issue

Please be kind, this is all fresh so I'm still having a hard time. My 4 year old son needed to be picked up early today from preschool due to his behaviour. They said he was hitting, screaming, crying, using foul words (not swears so im assuming mean words), and being defiant. He's been having some behaviour issues at school like not listening and interrupting people for a few months but today was bad enough to warrant me picking him up early. He was fine most the day but they said right before snack time he snapped. They've suggested we go to his doctor and see about getting him into therapy or something. That this behaviour is not random. Im feeling like an awful mom, and just generally extremely worried about my son and his future. He's never been diagnosed with ADHD but his teachers and ped both agreed it could be. I'm just looking for encouragement and stories about your kids who had these issues and is now doing better. Thanks.

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What ive read in many support groups is change his diet first. If you’re not someone who is full excited about giving your four year old medication then I would start with his diet. What is he regularly eating? Is he getting enough vitamins nutrients? Could this be a symptom of his nutritional needs not being met? Is he having too much sugary food throughout the day? Does he eat a lot of foods that have dyes in them? If so, you have a lot of room to change. If he eats pretty healthy and doesnt consume much dye then I would get his blood work done. See if he’s lacking any vitamins does he have any low levels like iron, vitamin D, etc. which by the way are two very common deficiencies. And then of course, therapies. In my opinion, medication would be my last resort, but that’s just me.

I completely agree with @Courtney 💕

Hi, I had ADHD as a child. I know it’s different for girls/boys. What helped me was sports. I was put in karate/ swimming/ soccer/ tennis… I was so hyper in class I needed extra exercise even with all the play and work out in school. My grandma would have to take me to the park on top of all the extra exercise. I also find that ADHD is a super power now as an adult. I went to Olympic trials/ I own 3 businesses/ I can read a room and people very well. It just took a lot of effort my early years with academics. Extra tutoring and working with my dyslexia as well. Kids are cruel in school and would always pick on me in elementary/ middle school/ and in high school I learned to act like the rest. It’s a long road but believe in your instincts.

I see behavior change when my 4 year old is on screens like watching TV for long or playing games on phone. So I started to restrict slowly by distracting and doing fun activities with him , going out etc.. not cold turkey bcuz some kids might give tantrums of some sort. Anyways, it worked he listens better to me and everything is just easier. I would agree with previous comments regarding nutrition. So nutrition and limiting screens if he does watch.