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?

[margypops]

My thoughts exactly , the side effects from some of these drugs are horrendous ...Children are supposed to be active I dont believe in all these disorders ...

[kiki14731]

Amen!

[kiki14731]

my question: given the numbers of children on adhd medication, are his peers not acting like that because THEY are medicated?  I would find out.  7 year old boys as far as I'm concerned are supposed to be active.  Setting bounderies is important as well.

[Sandman2]

    Ya, the problem is the teacher and not the child.  Having been both an elementary teacher and principal, I can say that some teachers just can't deal with an intelligent child.  Be glad the upward movement did not work out!
    I have found that most of the times bright kids will figure out what works and doesn't and will adapt.  But I do agree that to miss a recess is a hardship.
    I would try and find out specifically what he is doing that drives his teacher nuts and then work on that skill at home.  Notice I did not say punish him!  I said work on the skill he needs at home.  There will be a carry over to school.  If you can be more specific - I may be able to give you some suggestions.

[allmymarbles]

He sounds perfectly normal and has his own unique personality.

[specialmom]

Ugh,  One of the things that frustrates me with schools is when they take away recess from kids for being too energetic in class.  The irony is that recess and running around/physical activity is exactly what a lot of kids need to stay calm in school.  They defeat their own purpose.  

I think if a teacher was complaining about the things you mention, I'd talk to them about other methods of working on it besides curtailing the outlet to their energy.  In fact, perhaps if he had short breaks in which he could do something physical in the classroom, it would help him overall.  Even little things like erasing a chalk board (do they still use those, lol) or a dry erase board can give some calming input to the nervous system.  

School is an exciting place.  Kids can get hyped up.  I work with my kids to understand that school is the 'work place' and I will set up  lots of fun socializing with their pals outside of school.  And I do.  It helps a little.  

I have two boys, one does have sensory integration disorder and school is where we would see more problems than at home.  But these are things I work on with both of my kids.  

I know that when I'm in my 8 year olds classroom, I do my best to help the teacher bring down the 'chaos' level as it can be a bit much.  I do understand that kids do need to maintain themselves in the classroom in a respectful way so that everyone can learn.  But teachers would be wise to understand that movement, shorter sessions for lessons but many of them, and keeping the material lively would benefit all including themselves when they have a better behaved class.