AIBU to think my baby girl (8) may have ADHD or a form of it?

[BloodyEnderDragons]

Sorry not to post in children's health, I really would like this to be seen.

My daughter has always been active, never sitting still for two minutes, on the go. We get so frustrated trying to talk to her as she bounces about all over the place, hops, wriggles a leg...something. Always always moving. At the table we're hot on table manners but she can't sit still. She moves to the side of the chair, to the edge, back to the back, turns round, legs up, legs down. She will eat her dinner but argh she's a fidget.

We encourage things like mad half hours (just a crazy run around), she's active (dancing, cycling, running (generally), good with walking, frequent swimming).

When we keep on at her to keep still, she really does try but something has to be moving, or she's running/jumping about.

Watching tv she won't sit still and has only ever sat through a handful of films (that was due to the popcorn more than anything else) as she loses interest.

Her mind is amazing. Her imagination is astounding and her reading/writing level is almost two years above average so she's been able to concentrate enough to learn at school. Although the teacher says she gets so excited about a task she rarely waits for the instruction to end before she's off trying to complete it because her mind is already spinning with ideas, so she often does the wrong thing to begin with.

We used to say she was hyperactive, a ball of energy. We mentioned it to her paediatrician once (who she sees because of skin issues) who told us to wait until she got older. She was about 4/5 at the time.

The ONLY thing that stops her moving about is minecraft. She's on the iPad playing it whenever she can. We limit the time but sadly it usually results in emotional outbursts. She is absorbed into it. She talks about it all the time, she's a big chatterbox and doesn't stop often! We allow 2 hours on a weekend day and 45 minutes on a week day. It seems a lot to me but she cries and throws these odd emotional outbursts if we tell her to finish it sooner than that length of time. When she's not playing it, she's watching videos about it, doing the Lego, reading the books/magazines and thinking about it.

There are other interests, but it takes a good bit of effort to divert her attention away from minecraft first.

Like I mentioned she talks at 100 miles an hour, all day long! Unless she's on her game.

She's our eldest child, I don't know if it's a normal 8 year old behaviour or not.

Can anyone just advise either way please?

I really am reluctant to think this way but I can't help it now. I don't like to jump into thinking it's adhd just because it's in the media and so discussed these days. Which is why I've maybe left it so long.

[MumOfGorgeousness]

Our dd is the same, I can't offer any help as we've never thought about the adhd signs before.

[FlatOnTheHill]

How long has she been like this? Why don't you go and see someone for some professional advice.
Posting on here about this will end up with so many comments that you will be overwhelmed.

[AndNowItsSeven]

Your title is confusing , I was trying to work out how a 8 month old baby could be diagnosed with ADHD.
If your dd is able to concentrate at school and behaves appropriately it is unlikely that she has ADHD.
I am not saying I think your dd has ads however your post is more indicative of ads than ADHD. Or a nt child who finds it hard to keep still.

[MerryDickCrack]

This could have been written about my 7 yo da without he exception of being ahead at school (he's behind). The minecraft being all consuming especially. No advice, I've also wondered about hyperactivity when he was younger - interested to see replies.

[MerryDickCrack]

Ds not da!

[FlatOnTheHill]

You ask if its normal behaviour for an 8 year old. OP its not normal and I think you know that.

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

My youngest sibling was like this. Then puberty hit, mostly calmed down (still impulsive though, but that's just part of their personality!). It's hard work but unless it's causing big concerns,especially at school, not much can be done.

[AndNowItsSeven]

Asd stupid phone sorry.

[BloodyEnderDragons]

I'm sorry AndNowItsSeven I can't seem to edit it now. I see what you mean. I guess it's a case of precious first baby and all that!

[BloodyEnderDragons]

FlatOnTheHill I don't know that. Her friends seem calmer but I don't see what they're like when they're at home alone with their parents. Also I don't tend to compare really, all children are different.

[Micah]

I would have thought school might have mentioned it? That was always my yardstick with dd.

Dd is just extremely active. We put her in competitive sport (she did ballet, gymnastics, swimming, and tap from age 5). At age 6 she was pulled into a competitive sport and she trains 5 days a week. That takes the edge off her physically and she can focus fine at school, can now sit and watch telly etc.

If she skips training though you can see the activity levels at home start to rise...

Id stick her in any and every physical activity you can find. Stuff like martial arts, ballet, gymnastics etc are all good because you have to be disciplined and mentally focussed as well.

If you read about a lot of successful athletes it nearly always starts with "well, i had too much energy as a kid so my parents signed me up so i wouldnt bounce around the house si much..."

[LittleMissChatter]

Me and my daughter are exactly like this

[BloodyEnderDragons]

FlatOnTheHill I don't remember her not being like this!

[BloodyEnderDragons]

AndNowItsSeven, what is the definition of an NT child please?

[BrandNewAndImproved]

I also think my 8 yr old ds has adhd. He however has trouble controlling his emotions, aggressive and cannot concentrate on his school work, frequently gets told to sit out of his martial arts class as he can't stand still or follow instructions as well as the energy.

I've been to the Dr's and she said 99% of their referrals get bounced back and they take it more seriously when the school refers.

To get diagnosed they need to have more then just the parents say so. Ring the school and make an appointment with the senco person. Have a chat with them and see if they have the same problems and will refer.

I wouldn't be to worried if she does her school work, can concentrate on things other then minecraft (you said she likes drawing and reading about it) and nothings been flagged up by the school. It sounds like she's quite a happy child just energetic but speak to the school and see if you can get a referral. There is a cams check list if you Google for it, my ds came out definite cause for concern and the high energy and not sitting still was only one or two questions.

I also work in a school with dc who have behavioural problems (not as a teacher). They're behavioural problems are more then just not being able to sit still.

[Micah]

Flat on the hill- its "normal" in our house.

Depends on your definition of normal. From my point of view i think adults expect children to "sit nicely" stop bothering them too much. I think kids have a lot of energy and theyre being trained to sit still via tv, ipads etc. Hence rising obesity..

But thats just my pov. I always enabled dd's energy rather than expected her to modify it, because for us its normal didnt know any different

[Iwillorderthefood]

Is she over stimulated by her surroundings? There is a name for what I am thinking of, a little boy I know has it, he reacts more than normal to stimulation, so he sees something move amd he just has to move. If he is sitting in class, he needs something to fiddle with to help him concentrate on what is being taught. I cannot remember what it's called though. Does any of this ring true? If it does, I could contact his mum and get her to tell me the name if it.

[pushmepullyou]

ADHD is a continuum. It is quite possible to have overactive traits and not be officially 'adhd'.

That said, your dd does sound as though she could fit some criteria. I think you have to ask yourself is it a problem for her? Is it interfering with her learning or other aspects of her life?

If so then it is probably worth pursuing a diagnosis and some support. If not then maybe not.

I have adhd. I am doing ok. Fairly successful career wise though still inclined to impulsivity. But my issues are no greater than those of a lot of people with no official sen.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

Impulse control is important for diagnosis. For example my ds would try to touch a moving bus, cannot stop himself from jumping off of thing and getting hurt, can't stop climbing, sees something and just takes no matter how much it's drummed into him to ask. He does the first though in his head and that's why there are causes for concern. Is your dd like that?

[LittleMissChatter]

I am so like your first post. She will develop coping mechanisms as she grows up. I am in my 30s and still the same.

[FlatOnTheHill]

You say you get frustrated as constantly bouncing and moving about. Never sitting still. Constantly talks at 100 miles per hour. Intelligent at school. Jumps in with great ideas etc. All of this amongst other things. It does sound rather hard work OP and must admit for an 8 year old to be constantly on the go and chattering like this must be somewhat frustrating. Im sure you love her so much and just want the best. I would say this is not the average 8 year olds behaviour. Can your gp refer you to a paediatrician. At least you may get some answers.

[Jacksterbear]

Op have you looked at sensory processing issues? What you describe sounds like it could be sensory seeking behaviour which can indicate sensory processing disorder (also known as sensory integration dysfunction). Have a Google and see if any of it sounds familiar.

[CherryPits]

What is she like at bedtime? Our 8 yr old DD is very like you've described (constant energy, movement, high achieving at school - she's in the year ahead and getting top of the class grades, very focused on things which interest her intently) but at bedtime she konks out flat. Same when she's ill. Totally still, silent, the opposite to her normal self.

I think its a normal, bright energetic girl, tbh.

[CrohnicallyAspie]

I'm not an expert but I think that women/girls with ADHD can mask and hide their difficulties in public in a similar way to those with ASD. And it can be hard to unpick ASD and ADHD in females because the diagnostic criteria are based on boys.

I was very similar as a child and I have a diagnosis of AS, my fidgeting is a type of stim. I could keep it under control at school by using my imagination and daydreaming a lot, although I was still on the outside my mind was racing. But I also had other signs at that age too.

[Janeymoo50]

Firstly, she is not a baby......but, speak to your gp, watch her food/sugar intake(for changes in behaviour and triggers. Good luck OP.