Normal 7 year old behaviour or something else?

[PercyJ]

My daughter is 7, and I am finding her behaviour challenging at times and I wondered if these things are usual 7 year old behaviour or if there are some additional needs going on. When I Google thing, I get pointed towards additional need (ADHD) but we all know how Google can be.

For example today we have been in the car on a 2 hour journey to the beach. Her behaviour has been unbearable, making noises (blowing raspberrys, other general noises) fidgeting constantly, talking for the sake of talking about stupid things that make no sense, laughing (fake laughing) at things that aren't funny, trying to play a game of 'spot the...' and she just derails it making silly suggestions/noises etc.

This isn't the first time it's happened in the car. I've got a son whose 5 and don't have these issues with him but I recognise all kids have different personalities.

Other notable behaviour recently -
Becoming fixated on one toy - this week it's been a doll. Will talk constantly about it, treat it like. Person etc - but I'm talking CONSTANT talking about it.

Can't follow instructions - if I ask her to go up and get ready for school and to brush her teeth and hair she will stand in her mirror singing/making noises/ dancing forget what she's supposed to be doing etc such an effort.

She struggles to make decisions, can't wear things that feels "wrong" hates wearing shoes and socks and will mainly wear crocks and remove shoes when she can.

She really struggles with listening to the instructions I give her. Doesn't do them. Talks over people all the time, as if she needs to say something she has to say it right now.

At school she's under obtaining in some things, teacher says she's great at school - something makes me think the reason she is obtaining is because she just can't listen for long enough and concentrate.

Help me! Does this behaviour sound typical of a 7 year old or should I be seeking some help for her?

Sounds quite normal to me

As with a lot of these situations it really depends on severity. All of these things are common in seven year olds to some extent. If you believe it's severe enough to impact her life (which I would say it is if you think it's the reason she's underachieving at school) then I would look to have her assessed for any neurodiversity.

In the meantime (as there is likely to be a long wait for any assessment) I would look up parenting techniques for children with ADHD and try and implement some. There are 'hacks' for helping kids with ADHD to self regulate better/follow instructions/stay on task. These won't harm her if she doesn't have ADHD, but could help if she does. If they do work you'll get an idea about what her diagnosis may be a long time before you get an actual diagnosis.

My son has a lot of these behaviours which we thought were ADHD. His primary school teacher raised their concerns with us as she had experience with neurodivergent children and she began the process of having him assessed. First an assessor visited my son in school to see if there were signs of neurodiversity. Then my son was added to the NHS waiting list for an official assessment/diagnosis. After almost 3 years on the NHS waiting list he has finally had an appointment with a neurodivergent specialist and they have advised he has ASD and ADHD. We have to wait a few more months whilst they finish writing their reports and get it approved by the board before my son will have an official diagnosis. Maybe speak to your daughter’s teachers as they can arrange for an assessor to visit.