Dear Annie, a child with problems should be tested for ADHD

Dear Annie: Her response to the parents of the four-year-old who is uninterested in books and can't sit still ignores one possibility. The mother needs to talk to her pediatrician about the possibility that her son has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The description would make me, a retired pediatrician, very suspicious. If the pediatrician agrees that the boy has ADHD, he may help with some behavioral suggestions for now, but if the child begins to develop behavioral problems in school – often in first grade – medication can be very helpful and save the child's academic progress. – Retired pediatrician

Dear pediatrician, Thank you for your letter and your insights. I always enjoy hearing from professionals in their field. This is a wonderful opportunity that I had overlooked and I thank you for pointing it out. Hopefully it will help others who are struggling with similar situations.

Send your questions to Annie Lane at [email protected].