Keeping up with young children is a challenge for every parent. If your child has particularly high energy, you may have wondered if it’s just excess energy or something more. It’s definitely true that some kids just have more energy than others, and they need a bit more support to stay calm and quiet when they need to. However, there are other potential causes to be aware of, like a lack of sleep, not getting enough exercise and stress. Many parents today also find themselves wondering if their child has a developmental condition such as ADHD.
Awareness about ADHD has become more commonplace, which is a good thing. Many children with this condition don’t get the treatment they need to reach their full potential. However, it’s important to recognize that children who don’t have a diagnosable condition may need some help learning how to control their actions. Children have a naturally high metabolism, which starts to taper down at age 5. The main differences with high-energy children who have ADHD are that they also struggle with attentiveness and impulse control. These difficulties get in the way of participation at school and other things they enjoy.
Hyperactive-type ADHD is just one of three types, along with inattentive type and combined type. Many children with any type of ADHD seek constant stimulation, but those with hyperactive and combined type may have more noticeable high energy. Young boys are more prone to hyperactive-type ADHD, but girls can have it too.
In this blog post we’ll share some questions that can help you determine if you should seek an ADHD assessment for your child.
Can your child calm down after being asked a couple of times?
Children with high energy don’t have trouble containing their energy when they put their mind to it. For those with ADHD, it can be challenging even when they have the best of intentions. It’s less about listening and behavior than it is about an inner drive to always be moving or seeking stimulation.
You can expect to have to give your child a few reminders. Children with high energy will also need appropriate outlets, and they may need an activity to keep them occupied when they need to be quiet for a long time. If you’ve tried these things and your child still struggles to calm down on a regular basis, it might be a sign of ADHD.
Does your child display “stimming” behaviors or act as if they’re being propelled by a motor?
Many children with ADHD naturally develop stimming behaviors like hand flapping or bouncing their legs to self-regulate when their brain tells them they need to be moving. Children under 5 years old often seem to be going “nonstop.” Even so, parents of children with hyperactive-type ADHD may notice that they seem to be driven by a motor. All children need to get enough exercise to burn off excess energy and at least eight hours of sleep every night. Try incorporating breaks for play activities that get your child moving. If they’re always constantly bouncing, fidgeting, swaying or otherwise moving, it might be a sign of ADHD.
Can your child stay focused on the task at hand?
Again, it’s natural for any child to get distracted by things that interest them. However, it’s more common for children with ADHD to be distracted by things they don’t find particularly important. They’re also more likely to stop what they’re doing and leave tasks unfinished when they’re distracted. Try removing distractions when it’s time to focus and give your child more breaks to do something that stimulates them, like playing with a toy.
Can your child (reasonably) control their impulses?
Most children will blurt things out without thinking from time to time, or they may be tempted to touch something when they’ve been told not to. Children with ADHD have an especially hard time controlling their impulses because of how their brains work. The parts that control movement are especially fast for them. It takes some practice to become aware of those urges, and deciding not to act on them takes careful thought. Can your child sit still when you give them a pep talk and tell them it’s important to not be disruptive? Do they mostly blend in with others during group activities? Or do they often speak out of turn, move around and tend to do their own thing?
Does your child struggle to regulate their emotions?
Chances are, you’ve probably tried some of the suggestions in this article to get your child to sit still and listen. How does your child react when you give them instructions or correct them? What about when they’re struggling with an activity? If your child isn’t able to handle minor setbacks in a way that’s appropriate for their age, it could be a sign of ADHD. These children may have a low frustration tolerance, and learning to regulate their emotions is often difficult.
Consider Executive Function coaching for your high-energy child
Every family encounters some situations where moving around and talking may be disruptive, such as important meetings or church services. Most children start to learn how to behave in these settings by the time they’re in preschool and kindergarten. This is the age when high energy and ADHD start to cause problems. It’s important to eliminate other possibilities, like a lack of sleep or stress. Fortunately, for children with and without ADHD, Executive Function skills like inhibition and decision-making can be taught and learned.
Every child has the ability to become the best version of themselves by improving their Executive Function skills. These are the skills we all need to stay focused and achieve success in every part of our lives. As your child grows older, they will contribute to both academic and personal achievements.
At Beyond BookSmart, we help students improve these important, lifelong skills through our Executive Function coaching services. Every child has unique strengths and challenges. That’s why we customize our coaching sessions for each student’s individual needs, learning differences and emotional patterns.
Do you think Executive Function coaching may be helpful for your high-energy child? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an inquiry call.
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