ADDHD or Normal 7 year old Boy Behavior

[AKR1]

I'm concerned that my 7-year old son could have borderline ADDHD but at the same time, could this just be normal 7 year old boy behavior? When seeing him play baseball for instance, he loses focus on the field (can't stay in the "ready" position, rolls around in the grass, always looking around himself and not at the game), is constantly "goofing" around in the dugout and doesn't seem to listen to the coaches instructions. I don't see any of his teammates acting in the same manner. At home, he has a hard time listening and following instructions, we have to tell him several times to do or not to do something, he interrupts my husband and my conversation, changes subjects when talking mid-stream, and has a tendancy to be very talkative at times. When playing with friends, he never knows when to "stop" goofing around, often to the frustration of some of his friends. However, having said all of this, he is doing well with his schoolwork (I never struggle with homework issues), has a good focus with his piano lessons and has plenty of friends at school. He never has had serious discipline issues at school and the teachers/coaches/principal say he's a very sweet boy that is well liked. However, in seeing a lot of the other boys in his class, my son appears more immature and rather impulsive. Would you consider the above behavior typical for a 7 year old boy or could he possibly have symptoms of ADDHD?

[Sandman2]

    A very nice reply,  Unfortunately, its to a very old post.  You have to carefully look at the dates on these things.  How did you run across the original post?

[karenweath]

He needs the speech issue addressed first and foremost.  That in itself will cause some anger issues from a very young age. It makes it hard for them to make friends and they often get put down for not being able to speak well. It really hurts their self-esteem.That would be my first priority. Speech therapy does WONDERS and its free through the school even as young as 3 years old. They do not have to be school-aged. There is a program if they are less than 3 where they will come to your house and work with him. I don't remember what it's called, but it is also free. He also needs some type of goal chart and whenever you catch him doing something good, whatever behaviors you want him to have, you put a sticker on the chart and at the end of the week he should get a reward for however many stickers he has. The more stickers, the bigger the reward. He needs firm boundaries and consistent consequences. My first son was just like you described.

[argarlap]

This is exactly the same same thing that is happening with our son. I will give it a try.

thanks

[Sandman2]

  Sorry I missed your post.  How old is your son?  How is he doing grade wise in school?  Oh,  and how old are your daughters?

[specialmom]

I personally feel that it is so helpful to identify when underlying things are going on and to address them.  Wow, did it change my son's world.  He has sensory integration disorder.  Labeling is one thing some mention as 'bad' but I feel so differently.  It is how I understand what my boy needs to feel good.  Early intervention makes all the difference in the world and I hope no one is ever afraid to do this for your child.  good luck to all

[Louiseemaxwell]

I went for a walk with my son along the beach today. The walk took around 45 mins.  He basically had one sentence that lasted that entire time, barely pausing for breath.  I think sometimes they just want to talk. My job for the whole walk was just to listen.

It was a great day. :O)