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3yo - should I worry about ADD?

5 replies

Fluffymonster · 19/08/2012 13:50

Hello - this may be someting or nothing, but I wonder if someone with more experience might advise. Recently I've started to wonder if my 3yo dd, rather than just being a 'livewire' - actually has ADD or something?

She was thrown out of a gymnastics class this morning for basically running off and doing her own thing. The other kids in the same age group were paying attention, and sitting in a circle, forming a line etc. It's the third week and she has been the same since the first week - she just seems to disregard authority and does whatever she feels like!

At first I just thought that it's her strong independent streak (e.g. she insists on dressing herself, going to the loo unaccompanied etc.) - but recently I'm not so sure. We've been to other classes and she was the same, dipping in and out of the activity, running off, messing about, dancing around etc. - I've started to wonder if it's normal as I see other kids her age following instructions better. Incidentally, I've spoken to her about what happened and she just said "I didn't want to listen to the teacher."

Also, she only seems to half listen to things sometimes, like her mind is already on something else even as I'm talking to her.

Getting her to remain sitting in her chair for an entire meal is virtually impossible. She fidgets a lot while eating - we can't seem to get through a meal without some item of cutlery falling on the floor, something getting spilled etc.

Plus, she still scribbles like a baby - I've never seen her draw a face with eyes - just very quickly scribbles over things and does very basic circles. No real shapes, allthough she does recognise different colours. Her friend who is the same age, colours quite well, and I seem to remember her older sister was colouring with concentration at age 3 too. She and her sister are quite different, so I don't know what is just their different personalities, and what might down to something more.

I know a lot of these things could be just that she's not particularly into following rules/structure - but she is due to start nursery school in September and I'm getting a bit nervous about how she'll cope!

She has really good speech and language, a large vocabulary, and talks a lot and in full sentences, and has done since she was 2yo. She seems like a very happy child otherwise, very affectionate, a bit cheeky, not shy at all, and quite sociable. As long as she's doing her own thing!

Should I be a bit concerned?

OP posts:
Foshizzle · 19/08/2012 14:02

No I don't think I would worry, based on what you've described. She sounds like a normal, lively 3 year-old to me. One of my DC is a "sit down and listen, concentrate" type and then DC2 came along who bolts at every opportunity. Both learn in their own way. I have quite a few friends whose DC have been removed from classes in disgrace Grin for not following instructions and I think it's ridiculous at 3 years. Some do, some don't like the structure and why should they. You'll probably find that many of those parents who have "non conformists" (he he) steer clear of organised classes, so probably why you feel your DD is the only one. She's really not.

Think nursery will be very good for her - seeing what the other children do. Another friend of mine is given a regular "talking to" by her nursery because her son is the only one that won't sit at the table during quiet time. Pffft.

You've a while to go yet before school and even then they will ease into the structured learning stage.

Fluffymonster · 19/08/2012 19:30

Thanks Foshizzle, that's quite reassuring!

I honestly believe she's always been a bit of a non-conformist - from day one. Vivid recollections of her in a UV incubator (for jaundice) as a day old newborn, whipping off her goggles every 30secs, as she just refused to let them stay on her face!

Think we're going to stop taking her to that gym class and just let her run amok in the soft play section instead, whilst her 'everything-by-the-book', big sister carries on going.

I think I might need to brace myself for a few "talking to's" from nursery, as I can't see dd sitting still at the table during quiet time either. Just the mention of her, next to that phrase makes me laugh. Oh cripes, haha. Grin

OP posts:
MissPricklePants · 19/08/2012 19:36

My dd is 3.3 and is exactly the same! she is a fidget, very energetic and is happy enough running around in the park as opposed to a structured class. She does behave at nursery though as she sees what the other children are upto but obviously she isn't perfect and has to be reminded to sit nicely, share toys etc.

FuckityFuckFuck · 19/08/2012 19:41

That could have been written about my DS, He's 3 and starts nursery next month, and I don't think he has ever sat still in his entire life!

I think nursery will be very erm, interesting :o

Traceymac2 · 19/08/2012 19:41

She sounds jet like my 3 yr old (nearly 4) and my 2 yr old! My older dd does settle at play school though, the teacher knows how to engage with the kids really well and make them listen in a way that I don't seem able to. My dds friends mum said to me that she wishes she had allowed her dd to develop in a less restricted way like my dd as her child is much quieter and mine is a live wire and a real character. I actually tried to tame mine but it didn't work! I am hoping that she will calm down a little in time!

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