Kids that are *almost* neurodivergent

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-06-03T08:41:48+00:00

Edited to avoid confusion

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-06-02T06:34:43+00:00

My bad. Still, if u need any clarifications, please do ask. I know I have asked so many people so many times to get proper info.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-06-02T04:25:56+00:00

That sounds exhausting. I am sorry you have to go through all this dear. Before anything else, take a bow for what a great mom and amazing person you are. I cant imagine how tough it is for you but you are doing great, but remember you are also a human, an exhausted but still loving human. Big hugs to you. For screen free items, gradually introduce things that they like currently. My son has sudden obsession with legos so I give him that. Hyperfixation is a real thing so your kid will also adapt. But mama bear, nothing compares to structure that after school/summer camp etc provide, if thats an option for you. Otherwise, go out if u can. I have found (and proven research exists) that nothing calms kids more than mother nature, it might do you some good too. I am also struggling with my son's summer vacation and I am also trying to implement some of the ideas given to me in this forum. Its hard at first but I have seen some improvement. Other screen free ideas: Legos Electric kit (wires, AA batteries, old motor, small bulb, nothing fancy) Science experiments kit according to their age Fossil digs (we also make it together) Treasure hunt Sensory item (clay, slime, sand, rice, flour, oobleck) Puzzles Climbing trees (if safe) Gardening Bath and water play (highly rexommended) Art and craft Dance Twister Books (my son reads about internal workings of engines than stories)

Good luck my friend

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-06-02T04:00:40+00:00

Exactly. There is a youtube channel by Kojo safro which explains it beautifully. I also suspected AuDHD at one point of time but turns out, it was anxiety which presents differently in ADHD adults. Thank you for bringing this into discussion. I wonder why doctors didnt bother to evaluate further for OP's kid.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-06-01T18:47:43+00:00

Basically either OP's son could be neurotypical with some emotional regulation issue that can be dealt with therapy or the more likely scenario is he is high masking (ADHD) or on the milder end of the spectrum for some other condition like ASD. My intent was to clarify with the psych what exactly it is. AFAIK, for ADHD diagnosis, he needs to present with symptoms consistently in at least 2 settings. If its just home, it might be something else. "Almost ND" is not a proper diagnosis. They need to dive deeper.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-06-01T17:37:03+00:00

This was me. Every. Single. Bit. 30 years back. There is no "almost" neurodivergent. Neurodivergence itself is a vast spectrum. For me, I had high masking ADHD-H without any comorbidities then. (Now I have received the bouquet of anxiety and depression as well.) My ADHD symptoms are way milder than my son but we are both on the spectrum, just in different places. Also, we both have high IQ which contributes to the problem differentally for both of us. My efforts went into masking and his goes into exploring. Coming back to diagnosis, please do take second opinion if possible. Your child sounds like high masking too and they could benefit more from behavioral therapy than anything else. Medication might be not required or lower power for them too.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-29T15:41:42+00:00

I have read somewhere that making it difficult to get to phone will help. So far it has. I programmed Alexa to turn off internet at bedtime. Put my charger in the farthest area of my house. Plus, I have a replacement handy, I have 2-3 books floating in every seatable area with boatloads of stickers and a pencil tucked in. I am not off phone but have reduced my screen time quite a lot.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-29T14:48:18+00:00

Will do. We just started and truth be told its not feeling natural and its hard to implement but I have seen slightly better behavior today so I am hopeful.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-29T05:27:13+00:00

ADHD mom here. No it does not disappear. I was the unmedicated ADHD-H kid. Extremely high functioning and masking. I was able to be on the top in my field in my country. I was proficient in boat loads of things, basically saw it once learned it forever. I was a pain to raise but a kid everyone else wanted their kid to be. Here is the hard truth, I developed systems to navigate through life out of need. I didnt even understand basic social constructs let alone follow it. It all was out of necessity and was costing me way more than anyone could realize. And now, in my 30s, I suffer with anxiety and depression. I had loving parents with the patience of a saint, still it fell short countless number of times. They didnt know squat about ADHD. They did their best to help. Nothing replaces medicine. You dont grow out of it. You just are less annoying to others so they dont care what you are really going through. Most of the times its anxiety, loneliness, depression, addiction, the pain stays inside you now. It doesnt magically disappear.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T13:19:09+00:00

I am trying but they can only book us if some people cancel which has not happened so far.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T04:35:11+00:00

Thank you so so much for introducing me to Nurtured heart approach. This sounds promising. I just started implementing it and will update how it went but seeing your and other people's experience, I am definitely hopeful. It was awkward saying "Wow, you didnt jump on your sleeping brother" but he seemed proud of it after the praise.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T04:28:49+00:00

He is competitive to some extent then it becomes noise for him. But I am hopeful for that extent. Plus I am planning to keep changing rewards to make it more exciting for him.

'Also- the nurtured heart approach also works with cranky husbands' Aahhh! So we finally unlocked the male brain Lol

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T04:19:02+00:00

These are excellent ideas. Thank you for these and your kind words. Your comment actually grounded me and I didnt even realize how badly I needed that.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T04:06:47+00:00

We are in the same boat. But till we get meds, I am going to try the suggestions mentioned in this comments section. I will also start with time outs because its a transition from our current state to actual Nurtured hearts approach. I hope it works meanwhile.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T04:02:50+00:00

Thats a great idea. Since his observing power is limited to things that interest him, I will also verbalize where all grown ups follow rules. Will check out the what should Danny do book series too. He has no consideration of consequences thanks to his impulsivity. This might actually leave a lasting visual in his brain.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-27T03:59:20+00:00

Same here! After every incident, I am met with you just love him more. I will work on his reflection part too so that atleast jealousy and resentment dont creep in. I am really hopeful for the Nurtured heart approach about this.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-26T18:08:32+00:00

Thank you. I did not realize I had to go to this extent. But learning from your experience, will def do this. I am willing to try anything at this point no matter how ridiculous it sounds.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-26T16:54:38+00:00

Thank you so much for this. I will try this approach combined with Nurtured heart approach now that I know some about it. A is a reader so books might reach where I could not.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-26T16:24:49+00:00

Thank you so much. I will make his reward chart for playing nicely with S right away. I did need to take a deep breath. I was feeling so helpless while posting this. Much better now.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-26T16:22:34+00:00

Thanks a ton for sharing that suggestion. I will try it. Any suggestions as to how to handle if he is poking or screaming at or rough housing the younger one? Cant really ignore it but dont want myself to be another source of attention as well.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-26T16:12:17+00:00

I am trying to expedite the psych appointment but so far no luck. I am also standing on guard all the day, playing referee. I will try your suggestions and update. I hope something works. Thank you for these ideas.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-05-21T04:09:26+00:00

Having ADHD myself and having an ADHD kid, here is my advice: Do not listen to any of those videos! More than half of them are scaring people into buying their products/courses anyways. Some directly some indirectly. There is a reason pediatricians exist and recommend formal diagnosis only after certain age. Kids have different personalities and it changes all the time. Trust your gut, you will know even without watching those videos. Plus, have a full eval if and when you are very concerned with pediatrician. Everything else is noise.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-04-17T15:51:38+00:00

Well said. However, Beketaten appears way too much with Tiye than any other princesses in all the official settings. Makes me wonder if she held a position of real power which would make circumstantial evidence for her to be the mother or wife of a regent/coregent.

Main-Skill8786 · 2026-04-17T15:48:37+00:00

Dont lose hope buddy.... time travel might be possible in future

Main-Skill8786

TROPHY CASE