How do you know if your child is hyperactive?

[Lethal]

I'm sure this topic has been covered before, but I am just wondering how to tell whether a child may have adhd. My son is 3 and is very active, but I don't know whether it's a 'normal' level of activity. For instance if we take him to a restaurant, he will spend most of the time squirming in his seat, kneeling on the seat, trying to get down and get back up again, paying little attention to his food, that kind of thing. My dh feels that ds is a bit more active than normal, but at home ds is able to sit for a while and watch a video or play with his toys, and he also sleeps well. It's just his constant motion and disobedience that concerns us sometimes, but I'm wondering if it could also be age-related... thanks very much for your help.

[lazyeye]

Hi Lethal

Sounds just like my ds who is nearly 3. He spends most of his time when he should be eating running around. We actually just about let him (within reason) and feed him spoonfulls as he zooms past the table. He is a constant squrimer and my 11mnth old is exactly the same. I'd try not to worry too much - it all sounds very normal. I really feel like this 'nearly 3' age is very demanding - he actually shouts NO at the top of his voice to me. Like you I wonder if he is not normal in some way, but then I'm reassured by others. He does love to sit & read so thats one thing, but apart from sleeping, he is never, ever still.

[FairyMum]

I also think it sounds completely normal for a 3 year-old. I thought adhd means that they can be a bit anti-social and negative in their behaviour?

[aloha]

He sounds absolutely normal to me. That's why 'child-friendly' restaurants have toys in them. He's not hyperactive, he's just three!

[tigermoth]

lethal, having had two active sons I asked myself this question when they were 3 years old each time. The first time round, I also asked my GP and assorted medical people. They said as long as my son was sleeping ok then hyperactivity was probably not the problem. It was just lively 3 year old behaviour, but it was something to watch and I should see how things develop.

[FairyMum]

I think most parents with active tots sometimes wonder if they are hyperactive. Could you try cutting down on sugar-intake? Sugar makes my ds bouce off the walls.....

[Lethal]

tigermoth how old are they now? Is it still a problem or are they less active now?

Last week ds went through a phase of sleeping 12 hrs at night and still having a nap during the day, and this week he's only having 10 hrs a night and has been very active during the day, so I can't figure him out. DH thinks it's a problem though because the only time ds sits still is when he's watching tv. The rest of the time he finds it hard to even sit still for a second without moving.

How would I go about finding out whether or not there's a problem with his activity level?

[FairyMum]

I guess you could contact your HV or GP if you are worried. All sounds normal to me though. Mine doesn't even sit still when he watches the telly. If he did, I would have the telly on all the time

[tigermoth]

lethal, my oldest son is now 9 years and has calmed down considerably. He began to calm down from 5/6 years old, I guess, and by then I was totally sure he was not 'hyperactive' though his attention span and concentration levels were never too good at nursery and school. However they have steadily improved and he is fine.

The younger one, just turned 4, seems to be following suit, but can concentrate better than his brother could at that age. Dh and I are quite active so it could just be a family trait.

Do keep asking teachers and medical professionals, though. I think any problem may become apparent or not over time, so it's good to get other people to log developments.