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Ask the School Psychologists: 6-year-old boy constantly on the move

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kristin Krarup-Joyce, Ed. S. NCSP, Ellen Kent, Ed. S. NCSP and Emily Verbeke, Ed. S. NCSP for the information in this weekly column. If you have a question for one of the school psychologists, please email [email protected]. All information will be kept confidential.)

Question: I’m concerned that my 6-year-old son is hyperactive. He is constantly moving – we can’t even get him to sit at the dinner table. Is this normal?

Answer: First of all, movement and young children go hand in hand. It is perfectly “normal” for young children, especially boys, to be active. Regarding your son’s behavior, ask yourself: what is my tolerance level for his behavior? Am I expecting him to behave like his older sister? What is our household environment like? Is it chaotic? Is dinner time calm or hectic? How severe is his behavior?

In order to meet the criteria for ADHD, a child needs to meet 6 or more of the following symptoms (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition):

Inattentive presentation:

  • Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
  • Has difficulty sustaining attention.
  • Does not appear to listen.
  • Struggles to follow through on instructions.
  • Has difficulty with organization.
  • Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring a lot of thinking.
  • Loses things.
  • Is easily distracted.
  • Is forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactive-impulsive presentation:

  • Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
  • Has difficulty remaining seated.
  • Runs about or climbs excessively in children; extreme restlessness in adults.
  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
  • Acts as if driven by a motor; adults will often feel inside like they were driven by a motor.
  • Talks excessively.
  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
  • Difficulty waiting or taking turns.
  • Interrupts or intrudes upon others.

Combined inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive presentation:

  • Has symptoms from both of the above presentations.
  • It is estimated that 3 percent to 5 percent of school-aged children actually meet these criteria.
  • Finally, is your child’s teacher concerned? If your child’s teacher has not mentioned this as a concern, it is most likely that he or she views your child within the realm of “normal.”

If after reviewing this information and talking to your child’s teacher, you are still concerned, consider discussing your concerns with your child’s pediatrician. Some pediatricians are eager to hear your concerns, work with you to gather more information, and really analyze all of the information.

Other pediatricians prefer for you to work with a child psychologist or child psychiatrist specializing in AD/HD and will refer you to someone they trust. No matter the approach of your pediatrician you should feel confident and comfortable that enough information is going in to helping you answer the question about whether your son has AD/HD or whether his behavior is typical of a 6-year-old boy.

Additional Resources:

Inside ADHD: Various resources to review but there are great tool kits available which include information such as a medical appointment organizer to help organize your own thoughts, concerns, and available information to take with you to appointments.

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