My daughter is in first grade and is very hyper. I had the school counselor observe her in class last year and she told me that I had nothing to worry about it. But, she bounces off the walls at home and has a VERY difficult time sitting still. It is almost impossible. It takes us typically over an hour to complete 2 homework pages. She has a very hard time focusing on any one thing. I believe this is an issue which hinders her reading as well. She is not doing as well as I had hoped. She can never sit and eat a meal without getting up 10 times or half hanging off the chair. I also have 2 other daughters, one is 2 and the other is 3 months. She fights with the 2 year old all the time and is very selfish. But, she is very maternal with the baby. It is weird how much differently she behaves with each of them. She is not allowed to watch TV at all during the week. I hoped that would help. Any advice would be great. Thanks.
2007-01-11 09:38:47 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Thank you all so much for your thoughts. I actually did make an appointment with her ped. just to make sure that I am not missing something. I definitely would not medicate her unless it was a necessity. I don't like to make meds myself so I certainly wouldn't force them on my kids. She is involved with sports and I think since we live a cold area her behavior gets worse in the off-season. She takes gymnastics once a week to blow off some steam, but its just not enough. I will definitely talk to the ped. about possibly changing her diet, but we eat very healthy. She does not drink juice or pop and she only has sugary treats every once in a while. Trust me, when she has sugar its noticeable. I am interested to see what the doc says and I will add a post to let you know as well. Thanks again. I feel so much better!
2007-01-12 01:48:09 · update #1
Take her to not only a doctor, but a professional who is trained in child development. Pediatricians and especially school nurses and counselors misdiagnose or overdiagnose thousands of children every year. It may possibly be something as simple as a chemical imbalance.
ADD/ADHD is a common label most adults place on kids that don't act the way we want them to, that is basically placing the blame on the child rather than on the environment of the child or other surrounding factors.
Also, remember she is only 7 years old.
2007-01-11 10:08:06 · answer #1 · answered by J T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happened with my son. But the school counsellor said he does not have ADHD. I worked a lot with him and today he is fine. Before you start on drugs, please try this. This may be difficult but it is worthwhile.
First do not worry about your daughter's treatment of your two younger children. Remember the 2 year old is probably trying to take things from your daughter which is why she is protecting her own interests. Make them both play some game with each other. Spend time alone with your eldest and see what her interests are. Then cultivate those interests. If she is interested in music, send her to a class and evince so much interest in her music that she will start concentrating on it. Also try to spend more time alone with your eldest. Show her that you care for her the most. If she finds trouble finishing her HW, try sitting with her and doing it. REward her with a lot of praise for any small things she does well. Make her confidence grow. She is probably having a very low self-esteem. Develop it. Dont reward her with gifts for small deeds. Praise and love is sufficient. when you start being patient and do not scold her as soon as she makes a mistake, she will develop in confidence and improve. lots os luck. She actually sounds like a brilliant child.
2007-01-11 15:33:57 · answer #2 · answered by shgo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She certainly sounds like an ADHD candidate. You might want to give the medication route a try. Drugs may sometimes be over prescribed but in cases when they are needed, the difference can be so significant. It was easier to try meds with my older children with ADD because they were more cognatively aware of their symptoms and how the drugs were modifying things. But in your case, I'll bet you would notice a big difference in behavior and ability to focus. Some perents are afraid to try ADD/ADHD meds fearing that they will just be sedating their children. This is not so. You can ask your doctor how the medications work. Good luck.
2007-01-11 09:57:48 · answer #3 · answered by river 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 21-yr.-old son who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and ADHD as a child. Only a doctor can diagnose ADD or ADHD for certain so your best first step would be an appointment with her pediatrician. He/she is the best one to turn to for a diagnosis and treatment if appropriate. There are plenty of choices for treating and coping with ADHD if this is what your daughter is suffering from. I would encourage you to do this as soon as possible for your daughter's sake but also for the rest of you family. Untreated ADHD can be miserable for everyone involved, but with proper treatment, it doesn't have to be that way. I know this from experience! It might seem like everyone is tossing around this condition to cover all kinds of behavior problems but the condition really does exist and can be treated. It may take some trial and error and lots of communication between you and other adults who have contact with your little girl on a regular basis but the change can be really remarkable. I wish you the best!
2007-01-11 10:11:50 · answer #4 · answered by Queetie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she will eventually grow out of this you just have to patient. taking pills can help but then she will become dependant on them so when she does grow out of this, she will still have to take the pills becuase she will be completely addicted. if you really want an answer, you should go to the doctor and he will tell you, but she will probably be prescripted medicine which is not the right choice in my opinion, but you are the parent so it is really your choice. get her involved in something that makes her move around a lot like swimming so when she comes home she will be too tired to bounce off the walls.
2007-01-11 10:09:46 · answer #5 · answered by katie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is 7. They do that. Try getting her into a dance or tumbling or karate class. Also, perhaps the material is not challenging enough. Try finding something to better occupy her mind. If that doesn't work, keep her very active to wear her out before meals and homework. Maybe a little wholesome TV would help quiet her mind.
2007-01-11 09:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we thought my son was, but it turned out to be a diet issue. we got him off of all sugars, bleached flour etc and put him on a 100% natural, mostly organic diet,. helped tons. maybe try that before drugs?? look into seeing a holistic doctor or naturopth, homeopath etc
2007-01-11 12:22:12 · answer #7 · answered by The Organic Sister 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take her to the doctor and ask them.
2007-01-11 09:43:42 · answer #8 · answered by janicajayne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋