4 Year old having trouble at school

I am Mum to 3 girls, my youngest being a 4 year old livewire. From an early age she had some 'odd' tendencies. Toys had to be lined up, tea sets could only be played with if the cup, spoon and saucer were the same colour. She spoke very young, started counting to 10 on her own around 13-14 months old and could recognise written numbers (1-10) before the age of 2. Now she can recognise numbers from 1-100, simple sums she doesn't need to think about and just gives me the correct answer 9 times out of 10.

She is an extremely bright little girl, but she is having huge problems at school.

She started reception September 2011 and was in trouble every single day. I thought she might have been bored as she knew what was being taught and I took the opportunity to move to her a Welsh speaking school, where I thought the new language would give her a bit of a challenge.

She started there in November 2011, seems very happy, but yet the problems have still persisted.

Her class teacher thought it was behavioural issues at first, but the more she got to know her the more she thought something might be underlying. They picked up on a lack of eye contact, a constant need for sensory stimulation (whether it be toys in her mouth or constant touching/fiddling with things) the fact that she just could not keep still and seemed to have her mind on several tasks at once.

I was called up to the school for a meeting with the class teacher and senco. They recommending bringing the school nurse in to observe her. The nurse rang me and said within a 2-3 minute period she witnessed dd take part in 11+ activities. How although it seems that she doesn't pay attention, she is the first to know the answer or respond to the teacher. But she is also extremely defiant at school, something I don't really get much of at home.

The nurse then referred her to the paediatrician, though we are awaiting our first appointment.

She is constantly chattering, constantly on the go from 8am-7pm and often seems to bounce around the room.

She has now been excluded from school twice. Both times for hitting a member of staff. I am at the end of my tether. She doesn't hit me at home and doesn't tend to hit other children, well not in my presence.

She is now excluded from school tomorrow and on Monday I have a meeting with the Head, class teacher, senco and educational psychologist. At home time the deputy head told me he has never met a child like her and both he (and her class teacher) feel that she doesn't mean to do it, but is just so impulsive. They recommended I come home and read about ADHD and to be honest, she does seem to tick every box for both the combined type and ODD.

I just don't know what to do with her. Tonight she got no tv, no treats and was put to bed early for today's behaviour, but it's like water off a ducks back. I'm trying to talk to her about the situation and she's singing, making triangles with her fingers and it really is like water off a duck's back.

Are there any tips or tricks to get a child with ADHD tendencies to cooperate and comply in a school setting? I am at a complete stand still and don't know where to turn for advice.

Any anyone can offer would be much appreciated.

Hi, Clair_Witch! You could ask the pediatrician to send you to a counselor for kids with ADHD/ODD. Maybe it'd help your daughter as well as you, as you could ask them questions.
I hope someone more knowledgeable will post, stick around!