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?

[Jules24469]

I have an 8 year old and his school seems to be focused mainly on reaching the hightest TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) scores (which the begin taking in 3rd grade, starting in K so they can keep their "commended" status.  He is now in 3rd grade.  Ever since day one in that school my son has been sent home with notes stating that he does not "participate in class".  He does not test well and does not focus in class.  After I saw his classroom(s), from K-3rd (he now has 2 classrooms in 3rd grade) it's not hard to understand why condsidering every square inch of the tiny rooms are covered with some brightly covered item (i.e. Mickey Mouse, ABCs,  animal pics and so on).  There are appxly. 25 kids per teacher.  When my son returns home from school I go over what was covered that day in school with him and his mind may wonder.  I keep him on track, because it has been a long day, and he DOES KNOW the subject material.  My son, as well, gets blamed for things he has not done in school, he was just too shy to speak up and tell the teacher(s) who really did it.  He has been bullied be both teachers and students to the point where my husband and I had a conference with his teachers and principal last year.  The principal all but said he needed to be on meds, just like her, now grown, son.  His teacher this year, one month into the school year, said the same thing!!!  MY OPINION ...  the principal and teachers are lazy and don't want to take responsibility for what is actually going on here.  My eight year old does not need to be zombified to accomidate 24 other students, teacher and principal just so he can score higher on his TAKS so the school can get more money from the state.  BTW, he comes home with fair grades, yet his report cards are always A/Bs.  Something is going on with our school system.  I know that my son's mind drifts and he needs to be kept on track, but to quote John Candy in "Uncle Buck" ... "I don't think I want to know a six-year-old who isn't a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don't want to know one who takes their student career seriously. I don't have a college degree. I don't even have a job. But I know a good kid when I see one. Because they're ALL good kids, until dried-out, brain-dead skags like you drag them down and convince them they're no good. You so much as scowl at my niece, or any other kid in this school, and I hear about it, and I'm coming looking for you!"

[antaya7]

Thank you I will look for that book, He is bright and yes you are right he does control every situation. I am on the hunt for that book. thanks again

[Sandman2]

  Well, he's perhaps not quite normal, but I doubt that he has ADHD.  You can't turn it off and on at that age.  If he can control himself at school and get decent grades, then he can do so at home.  The problem is that he is bright and has learned how to control you.  He has learned that the anger and and demands get him what he wants.  This can be stopped, but it will take about 3 weeks of very consistent action on your part.
  I suggest you get the book - "SOS Help for Parents," by Lynn Clark for a detailed list of actions.  

[Sumanadevii]

Having raised a gang of sons, I think the kid is normal.  Wetting the bed?  If you don't make a big deal over it, it will pass.  Many boys do wet the bed.  The less said the better.  Teach him how to change the sheets and be discrete about it.

If he is being so good in the classroom, he wants to please.  When school is out, he needs to burn that energy!!  I have always said, boys do not belong in a formal school setting until about ten...lol...

[antaya7]

I have a 7 year old who has a temper like a bull, he is demanding and can be downright hateful at times. He needs to be going all the time, if he is not he cries and gets angry and me and my husband. We come home from work so tired and we spend the last 4 hours of our day outside playing and catering to his behaviour. I cannot take it anymore, the kids and the neighbourhood do not want to play with him. But at school he is bright and behaved and the teachers like him. Is this a normal 7 year old? Is the demanding and angry disposition normal?

[suesue242]

Hello

I have 7 year old twin boys and they are hyperactive and need to run off their energy. They are normal boys. To ask boys to sit and not talk all day is abuse. The whole system looks at grades and not at what is good for children, especially boys who are made to climb trees, run and create. To drug them up because they do not fit the package is not ok. They are children and deserve a childhood. And not to be on drugs. What are the side affects!  What are the emotional effects of losing your childhood because your teacher wanted the class to "behave and get good grades".
  I think it is not the boys who have to change but the system. In my day, wow I just said that, we had games every day at school. Now they do not. Does that not speak for itself.
I find being a Mum of boys hard too at times. Yes they are wild and not like girls. Mine climb trees, make creative stuff, build. If they are not busy with that they fight. Yes sometimes I feel like tearing my hair out but please please please try anything before putting any children on drugs because they act like children... It is there only childhood.