hyperactive 3 year old daughter?

[madhail]

Help! My 3 year old daughter seems very hyperactive.  She is non-stop all day long! She doesnt want to play with her toys--all she wants to do during unstructered playtime is play her musical toys (sometimes all at the same time) and dance and jump around.  She can do this for about 45 minutes straight.   Or she throws her disney stuffed animals on the couch and tries to "rescue" them.  I try to get her to do other things, but she often doesn't listen to me and refuses.  She love to play playdough but she breaks it up into tiny little pieces and crumbs every time.  She is defiant and won't stop a behavior even after time outs, etc.  I've tried taking away her stuffed animals, but nothing seems to work.  It seems like she is just very hyperactive and when other kids are around it is worse.  She jumps and screams b/c she is excited they are there, but she never seems to calm down.  When I try to talk to her or calm her down she wont even look at me its almost like she is in a trance.   Im at the point where I dont want to take her anywhere but I know that is not the solution--HELP!! I enrolled her in preschool thinking things would improve but her teacher says she is disruptive and gets all the kids riled up.  Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated! I love my daughter very much and want more than anything to help her to be happy and caring and content.  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

If indeed your daughter is hyperactive, and the condition is causing such disruption in both her home and school life, it may invite treatment. While we are generally not enthusiastic about treating hyperactivity in a child so young, it can be the responsible thing to do when the stakes are high. In this instance, the stakes are very high because a child's functioning at home and in school occupies almost all their waking hours.

[srb122498]

Do your research. Know that you are always your childs best advocate. The better educated you are, the better chance of your child getting proper help. Keep a diary of her behavior. My son was always in trouble when he started pre-school. I knew something wasn't right when he was about 2. I got a diagnosis, and he was put on medication (don't remember what age). The medication did not work. Another doctor told me if he's diagnosed w/adhd, and the meds aren't working, you might wanna second guess the diagnosis. He suggested starting with counseling. I did. My son was then referred to a psychiatrist. He gave him a different diagnosis and the meds seem to be working (and have for about 2 years). My 3 ring binder of information on mon son is the best tool for proper care. I have his teachers every year give reports. These go in the binder. Also, any tests, results, meds, side effects, and a log of his behavior. If you get a diagnosis and meds, be persistent if it doesn't work!!

[TRwife]

My son, who is almost 4, has been taking clonodine for almost 6 months now.  I hated to do it, but he was too hyperactive for school, home, and Sunday school.  In fact, the other children didn't want to sit next to him because of his behavior.  "I don't like _____".  His preschool really pressured me into taking him to see someone.  I am still looking into other causes besides ADHD.  Would be interested in others' opinions on "Hyperactivity Hoax" by a Doctor Walker.

BTW, the second day my son was on the meds, I enjoyed the first afternoon with him in a LONG time.  He is more pleasant to be around, not always "on."  The medicine helps him sleep at night (used to play in his room until exhausted, wouldn't stay in bed, until 11 or later).  He is also calmer during the day - partly because of the better sleep.