If your child has trouble focusing on his schoolwork, if he consistently forgets to do his chores and he runs around as if he has an endless supply of batteries, he may be hyperactive. He may also just be a vivacious child. The label “hyperactive” is in vogue and applied to children lavishly, but not all parents know what it really means or recognize when they should get their child checked.
Diagnosis
Hyperactivity may not be easy to define because it typically depends on the perception of the observer, according to MedlinePlus. Whereas a more tolerant observer may not perceive an active child as hyperactive, someone else may disagree. Most children are rambunctious from time to time--some more than others--but the children who exceed occasional moments of hyperactivity and tend to wear on even the most tolerant of observers may be deemed hyperactive, says the University of Michigan Health System. It's important to note, however, that children under ages 6 and 7 may not accurately be diagnosed because typical hyperactive behaviors, such as acting impulsively and having a brief attention span, are common in preschool- and kindergarten-aged children, according to BabyCenter.com.
Behaviors
Children who are described as hyperactive are typically diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD. According to iVillage, the disorder’s intensity and symptoms vary from child to child and diagnosis is primarily dependent upon assessing a child’s behavior. Typical behaviors of a child with ADHD include: frequent fidgeting and squirming; moving around when expected to stay in a seat; trouble playing quietly; excessive talking; blurting out answers; having trouble taking turns; and interrupting others’ conversations or games, according to the Mayo Clinic. Children with ADHD may also have trouble paying attention in class and feel forgetful, distracted and disorganized, according to KidsHealth.org.
Statistics
Approximately 9 percent of children are diagnosed with ADHD, meaning that in a school of 300 children, a classroom-sized portion of children may be deemed hyperactive, according to KidsHealth.org. Moreover, boys are three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD and about one in four children diagnosed with ADHD has had a relative with ADHD.
Causes
Although the exact cause of ADHD isn’t completely understood, the Mayo Clinic says that brain scans have revealed that people with ADHD appear to have less brain activity in areas that regulate activity and attention. Beyond heredity, other potential causes of this altered brain activity may include: exposure to toxins, drugs and cigarette chemicals while in the womb; and exposure to toxins, such as lead, during early childhood, says the Mayo Clinic.
Seeking Help
Take your child to see his pediatrician if he seems persistently hyperactive, if he is aggressive or impulsive with trouble concentrating, or if his activity level has caused him to have trouble socially or in school, says MedlinePlus. A doctor can ask questions about your child’s behavior to help determine whether it could be related to a hyperactivity disorder. She can also rule out additional causes of hyperactivity, including hyperthyroidism, emotional disorders and brain or central nervous system disorders. If the doctor determines that your child has ADHD, he can work with you and your child’s teachers to come up with a treatment plan that suits your child. Depending on your child’s needs, the plan may include medications and relaxation or behavioral therapy.
