8 yr. old cannot focus

[vluera]

I have an 8 yr. old daughter who seems to not focus clearly. The teachers always tell me about it and I also notice it at home. She doesnt realize that she cannot do certain things with her baby sister as far as playing. Ex: we were at a Dr. office and the baby was on the couch at the end standing up and my 8 yr. old alexi scared her making the baby fall straight backwards hitting her head on the concrete floor. I would think that an 8 year old would know better that to do that while a baby is standing on the edge of a couch. Is this behavior normal?

[Jane1022]

Hi vluera,

Can you give some other examples of when you have thought it seems your daughter is distracted?  If you are curious abt it being ADHD then any other examples would help. I am not a doctor but I have ADHD and would be able to share some of my childhood/adult experiences if you could give me a few more examples.

What does the teacher say she is distracted abt? And does the teacher say when your daughter seems to be distracted?

What things have you noticed at home when she seems distracted?

Does it ever seem like she is tuning you out when you call her name. Ex: She may be watching television and you call her from the other room or two feet away and she looks entranced in what she is watching. Has this ever happened...sometimes...regularly...or always?

Jane1022

[triedeverymed]

Not all 8 year old realize what there actions will cause especially if they just act, like my 9 year old. Sometimes he does something and the outcome is bad but it's too late then. I use it as a learning experience and a chane to teach him about behavior. He has trouble focusing as well but gets good grades and gets along well with other kids so we are not using meds, we are trying to work with him on the focus part. Until it becomes a real issue, I'm not going to put him on meds. The one guidline someone gave me is if they start to have behavioral issues and problems with other kids.
She may just be a typical 8 year old, keep working with her over the summer.
Good luck.

[Kgbiddix]

The 8 year old probably didn't expect the outcome of her actions, but that is a time to tell her how bad the situation could have been.
As far as focusing, they should be able to test her at school, if not ask her Dr. or you might find some self test online that might give you and idea, don't pay for anything online but there are sites on ADD that might help.
My sister read something about kids that watch TV alot were more likely to have a problem focusing. Try to get her to read a play outside as much as you can. You might also watch what she eats or sometimes it could be chemicals in products, especially it this hasn't gone on before. There is probably more on this on some of those websites.
Try every thing you can before putting her on meds. There is also some natural stuff that might help, I am with a company that I buy all my housecleaning stuff, personal care, vitamins etc. from. If you go this way go with a good company or go to a health food store. A lot of the companys that sell one or two miracle products is a rip off.
Hope this helps, Karen