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When our daughter Skye was born, we knew she was special. As first-time parents, we didn’t know what to expect, but we quickly noticed that she wasn’t meeting some of the developmental milestones.
At first, we chalked it up to her simply moving at her own pace. But by the time she was a toddler, there were signs we couldn’t ignore—delayed speech, lack of eye contact, and limited engagement with those around her.
In those early years, our biggest fear was autism.
Skye wasn’t making sounds or eye contact like other children her age, and her nursery added to our concerns when they suggested she undergo a hearing test.
They pointed out behaviours we had noticed but didn’t fully understand: she wasn’t responding to her name, avoided eye contact, had a high pain threshold, and was constantly getting hurt without showing much reaction.
The Diagnosis Journey: From Concern to Action
At the time, we were living in the UK and turned to the NHS for guidance.
Unfortunately, we hit a roadblock when we learned that ADHD assessments weren’t typically considered until a child was at least six years old.
Despite our concerns, we were placed on a long waiting list to see a community paediatrician. After months of waiting with no progress, we decided to seek a private consultation.
When Skye was three years old, we met with a paediatric consultant who assured us that she didn’t believe Skye was on the autism spectrum.
However, she flagged signs of hyperactivity and speech delay.
While the diagnosis we suspected wasn’t confirmed, it gave us a direction to focus on: improving her speech and language skills.
We prioritised therapy, working with both private specialists and NHS programs.
Skye’s nursery connected us with a Portage support worker, who became an incredible resource in identifying her developmental delays and behavioural challenges.
Together with the nursery, we built a support plan to help Skye navigate her day-to-day activities.
The Challenges of Social Interaction
Despite the progress we made with her speech, other challenges persisted.
At nursery, Skye’s aggressive behaviour became a major concern.
While many toddlers test boundaries, Skye’s outbursts—like hitting other children—were happening almost daily.
It reached a point where she needed constant adult supervision.
She couldn’t play with the other children, only alongside them, as she struggled to figure out how to engage socially.
Starting Over: A New Challenge in Saudi Arabia
Our biggest hurdle came when we moved to Saudi Arabia.
While we anticipated some cultural and logistical adjustments, we didn’t expect schools to reject Skye outright.
We first enrolled her in a summer camp, hoping it would ease her into a new environment. But when we tried to register her for school, we were told by the manager that she was “too disruptive.”
In Saudi Arabia, private schools are the only option for expat families, and many are not equipped—or willing—to accommodate children with special needs.
The rejection became a pattern, with one school after another turning her away.
Those willing to accept her required additional fees that were far beyond our budget, along with the stipulation that she needed a full-time shadow teacher to attend with her.
Finally, an Early ADHD Diagnosis
Determined to help Skye thrive, we enrolled her in a local children’s clinic, where a series of assessments finally gave us the answers we had been searching for.
At the age of five, Skye was diagnosed with moderate to severe ADHD and a speech impediment.
The diagnosis was bittersweet—it validated the struggles we had been facing but also made the reality of her challenges undeniable.
We are incredibly fortunate to be in a position where we can access private assessments and therapy for Skye.
If we were still in the UK, we know how much more limited our options might have been due to long waiting lists and strict criteria for diagnosis at such a young age.
This privilege isn’t lost on us, and it’s something I feel strongly about raising awareness for. Every child deserves early intervention and support, regardless of financial circumstances.
What I’m currently reading to support Skye’s journey with ADHD
As part of this journey, I’ve started reading The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD by John F. Taylor, and it’s been incredibly eye-opening. The book is written for children, using simple language to explain what ADHD is and how it affects their thoughts, feelings, and actions. It provides practical tips for managing everyday challenges and addresses common concerns kids have, like struggling with schoolwork, feeling different from their peers, and navigating emotions.
For me, this guide has been invaluable not just for understanding ADHD from a clinical perspective but for gaining insight into what kids with ADHD might think and feel. It’s helping me prepare for Skye’s biggest struggles and better support her as she grows. If you’re looking for a resource that bridges the gap between parents and children with ADHD, I highly recommend it.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Young Children
Looking back, there were several signs that pointed to ADHD in Skye’s early years. Some were subtle and easy to dismiss as quirks of her personality, while others were more pronounced.
If you suspect your child may have ADHD, here are some signs to look out for:
- Speech Delays: Difficulty forming words or sounds compared to peers.
- Lack of Focus: Not responding to their name or appearing to ignore instructions.
- Hyperactivity: An inability to sit still, even for short periods, and constant movement.
- Social Challenges: Difficulty engaging with other children, playing alongside them but not with them.
- Impulsivity: Hitting, biting, or other aggressive behaviours without clear triggers.
- Sensory Differences: High pain tolerance or unusual responses to textures, sounds, or lights.
- Defiance: Persistent opposition to rules, instructions, or authority figures, which is often mistaken for Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). While ODD can co-occur with ADHD, defiant behaviour is also a common characteristic of ADHD itself.
It’s important to remember that not every child with these symptoms has ADHD, but if you’re seeing a combination of these behaviours, it’s worth consulting a professional.
Early intervention is going to make a huge difference for Skye and has given us a roadmap to better support her unique needs.
This is the first chapter in our journey with ADHD, and it’s one I hope will resonate with parents facing similar challenges.
While the path isn’t always easy, finding answers—and support—has been an incredible step forward for our family.
Stay tuned as we share more about Skye’s progress, tips for navigating therapy, and resources for parents raising children with ADHD.
