7 year old won't stop talking

[Coffee2Go]

My 7 year old son cannot seem to stop talking. He says he wants friends but then he'll talk to them and he will dominate the conversation. He is an only child and I am a single mom, At home he is pretty much the "center of attention" and I feel this might be an adjustment for him as he is not the "center of attention" at school. His grades in almost everything are excellent. He seems to have a lot of trouble in spelling however but when he is at home he can focus perfectly. We go over the spelling words and he can spell them however when he takes the test he gets 50's and lower. His teacher has already had a meeting with me regarding his talking out of turn in class. She told me she has never seen that side of my son before when I was interacting with him during the meeting. They told me they would watch him for a week and if the behavior continued they wanted me to have him tested? Now I am not an expert at ADD or ADHD however what exactly is normal little boy behavior and what is ADD/ADHD behavior? I have no qualms about having him tested however I refuse to have my son "Doped up" just to make a teachers job easier.
I hope to see improvement as I continue to work with him but I am not sure as to why he keeps seeing schooltime as a time to chat and talk with other students.

[jdtm]

I have no qualms about having him tested however I refuse to have my son "Doped up" just to make a teachers job easier.


Do you think the parents of a diabetic child should refuse insulin for the above reason?  If a child requires medication, it is because something is "missing" or something needs "help".  Just as a child with an illness might require an antibiotic to fight the bacterium; so a child with a mental health disorder might require some type of medication to help a "disordered" mind.

By the way, often children who act up in school or talk too much or do not complete their school work do so because they feel they are incapable of succeeding at the assigned task.  Perhaps, the testing might find a slight learning disorder which could then be addressed in the classroom.  The fact that your son can spell the words correctly at home and then not be able to reproduce this at school could be evidence of a slight learning issue.

It's admirable that you are trying to help your son at home, but until you know the problem, then you will not be able to fix it.  I hope the testing will give some answers and solutions how you and the school can better help him.

[RockRose]

What side of your son did your teacher see during the conference that surprised her?    Was it a cooperative side,  and uncooperative side . . . ?

[Coffee2Go]

jdtm, Drugs are not the only option though they certainly are the most conveniant. In the case of a diabetic child I think that would be a little different. I wholeheartedly agree with you that we shouldn't jump to things.

RockRose, My dear son knows I do not tolerate certain things and he cooperated instantly when he knew I was there.

[RockRose]

coffee - this is a really positive sign,  if your son behaves in your presence at home and in school.

It may even be that he needs a new teacher who runs a more strict classroom.

[Coffee2Go]

She is a nice women, though young, but it is true she is not very strict. I am not sure if schools are allowed to be strict nowadays but I can at least inquire about it. She had this reward system where he earned things like his car erasers back if he was able to get five tokens. She tells me he couldn't even get to four. After one or two weeks of that she says they strongly advised me writing a letter to them to ask that he be tested. Why they could not is beyond me. Its just frustrating as I know it's there, even the principal was flabbergasted as to how well he uses his words in communicating.

[timw76542]

I have a kid who won't stop talking either. Its a shame thattaechers have no rights to discipline children anymore without the threat of being sued. I think the teacher should put his desk outside of the classroom and let him sit out there alone for that class. Besides disturbing the rest of the class, he can't be listening while he is learning. Sometimes a little embarrasment works. Thats what they did us in my day. I was 7 in 1961 and the teachers made the rules not the kids. I know a woman who had a gun pulled on her in a high school classroom and she lost her job for calling 911 instead of first reporting the kid to the principal's office. This happened in New Orleans 2 years ago.
  We were told to only punish our kid that day for his behavioral problems. I think that rights should be given back to the teachers so they can do their jobs and quit letting the kids run the show.
   Another question, does your child speak while you are speaking? Does he know what respect is?

[Jsmom252]

I have an 8 year old who won't stop talking either. I googled this site after yet another note from his teacher today. My son makes A's & B's and reads on almost a 6th grade level. He is very smart and is also an only child of a single mother. I've had this problem now for almost 2 years. I agree that the schools need more ability to punish. His pediatrician said yes to ADHD meds, I've been thru the "testing" process which is a questionnaire format for all adults involved in his life (parents, teacher, daycare, etc.). I am not going to dope my son to make the teachers life easier either! My son also has an excellent diet (little or no sugar or caffiene, tried that too). He is cabable of being quiet. We've exercised this at home - he can go over one hour without talking at all. Keep in mind, in my school district, when a child is put on ADHD meds - the school receives additional money for these children. Interesting huh? Another thought - it is typically boys having this problem. Our current gradeschool curriculum is based on the needs of girls. Girls seem to do well in these type programs, it is next to impossible for boys of this age to sit all day, not speak and have no physical outlet. Things need to change. One more thought - did you know that the meds for ADHD include amphetimine? Yes - speed. My son's father is a drug addict, no longer in his life. That is the last thing I want to do is train this boy with meds at 8 to become a meth head later!! Meanwhile - I, like you am extremely frustrated by this issue! I cry alot about this and have found no solid answers. Maybe someone out there has one!

[tatok]

my son is also 7 and will not stop talking.. he is an excellent student.. although the constant talking has become an issue with his teacher.. she says he negatively impacts the learning of his classmates.. in the beginning of the school year she laughed and thought it was funny how much he talked and what a joy he was.. how can you go from that to being frustrated with him.. i have had conferences with her and spoke with her on the phone.. i am also a single mother and he is an only child.. my friends all suggest meds.. ok i don't agree with that.. yes all of their kids are on one sort of medicine to the next.. i am very shy and to an extent am proud of my sons outgoing nature although sometimes it is very embarrassing.. won't he grow out of this? the way i see it most of the boys around this age are talkative.. why is medicine the first option? he eats well, sleeps well and gets a lot of attention.. could he just be bored? the teacher says he is the first one done with his work and very polite.. he is also involved in sports.. i just would like to know if anyone would have any ideas of what i could do to make it better for him in school and for our home life..  thanks