Is this ADHD? Anxiety? What?

[gia1000]

My son will be 4 next month.  He has always been attached, happy, calm and sweet at home.  Little to no tantrums.  When he started preschool is when the trouble started.  The teachers said he exhibited ADHD like symptoms, always running around, not focusing, even during free play.  Impossible to settle/stop chatting during story time.  That is 100% opposite of how he is at home and on playdates etc, so I thought it might be the school environment--huge class, 22 kids.  I switched him to a smaller, more structured preschool.  There, the teachers said he was doing alright, except that he was getting in other kids faces and annoying them.  They would tell him to stop, but he didn't stop.  He was getting better though.  So far so good.  He seemed happy to go to school.  Then, last week, they dropped the bomb... said the exact same thing the first school said, he runs around in circles instead of engaging in a toy, even during free play.  He blurts out answers and ruins games.  He can't settle and stop chattering during story time.  They say he is sweet, not mean or aggressive, it seems to them like a self control/impulse control thing.  They say he fogs out, appears to not be listening to them, even when spoken to directly, but then can repeat everything.  At birthday parties and play dates, he is social, happy, wonderful.  I can pretty much take him anywhere, restaurants, library, etc.  He's a good boy!  But at school, he is not controllable.   Could this be early signs of ADHD?  How can it be so uncontrollable at school, and non existant at home?

[anxiousmomtobe?]

At home he has intensive one on one attention so certain behaviours would be minimized.

Do you have other kids?

I would talk calmly with your son about what is going on in school.  He may not be ready for that much structure.  Maybe he is bored.

Don't panic, but carefully evaluate the information you are receiving from trained professionals who are not emotionally attached to this child.  They probably have a very objective view.  Meet with them, ask them how you can help your son make this adjustment.  If they are truly concerned, I would have a specialist evaluate your son.

I think add is very over diagnosed.  Some children are just more energetic than others.  Sometimes the answer is very simple....

[tomel]

Keep in mind this is what preschool is for. To prepare kids for school and these situations.
The teacher might want to come up with a reward system for him to get him motivated . You may want to do the same for him at home.
This sounds like a first time experience for him. How long has he been going? Is this his first time away from home and you? Mabye give him time to adjust. Try practicing with him at home. Have your own circle time and pretend its school.
If your truly worried about ADHD or Anxiety disorder get him evaluated by a developmenatal psychologist or a development specialist.   He may qualify for special needs preschool in your area if they offer this, If they do it is free.  
Good Luck.