'high spirited children'

[Tamz]

hi guys

Does anyone have one of the above?? my child is very high spirited. i have had afew ppl ask me if he's A.D.D. I was wondering what the symptoms of A.D.D?

He doesnt have junk food or soft drink, so its not a sugar high that hes getting.

I always have ppl say to me that im so patient etc...but i didnt understand why they were saying it... i thought he was a typical 16month old 'tornado'... then one of my mates said that out of all the little ones she knows, he's the most hyperactive :( and she asked if he was A.D.D.

What are your thoughts on children with A.D.D? Is there anyone out there that has a child with A.D.D?

thanks

Tamz

PS...my mum said i was exactually like this when i was a toddler....looks like its payback time ay?!!!! haha

[bronny-jane]

my dd2 is very full on...so much energy, fantastic tantrums:D and destructive, im not too worried yet she's 2, her older sister was the same, now she has calmed down:yes:

it really annoys me how people try to put a label on everything, sure get him checked out, but who would medicate a baby:no: ... could just be that he is so happy, he feels free too be able to enjoy himself, with out being scared of consequences.

[spoon]

it really annoys me how people try to put a label on everything, sure get him checked out, but who would medicate a baby:no: ... could just be that he is so happy, he feels free too be able to enjoy himself, with out being scared of consequences.

That is truley what i was about to say too.

Everyone is an expert doctor in their own lunch time hey? I had people tell me my son was AUTISTIC when he was only 5 at school because he did not like colouring in.

He is 12 and i can tell you now he is perfectly normal.

Some kids are just naturally more active than others. Maybe he will be athletic.

[Briannabear]

My DD is highly energetic and lively. She never stops all day long! :smiliedance: But its just her personality. She's a loud crazy silly gorgeous maniac! And she throws incredible tantrums!:shame:
Her behaviour is sometimes enhanced by food - such as wheat. (she's wheat intolerant)
I dont believe for a second that she has ADD.

The children that Ive known with ADD have been very obvious. They've all had some sort of tic when sitting still (like their body hasnt got the message from their brain that they've stopped iykwim). Not saying they are all like that, its just what I have seen.

[TeamAwesome]

Every child is individual... my DH, who my DS now is apparently is exactly like, was always "hypo" they just ned their energy channeled(sp?) into activities that require a high amount of energy.
Also my DB who didnt fit into the mainstream schools was often taken out of class as he couldnt concerntrate and would then get bored and then of course be "disruptive" he had every test and while the school wanted to put him on drugs for ADHD there was no need, he coould conerntrate on chess and golf - need I say more?
My kids are both very active and my DS needs run around and all that like kids used to be able to do, it takes awhile and I'm still learning BUT my DS is always polite to people (he's 2.5 and can sit still and concerntrate on things... I'm prepared for the Q's kind of, if anyone ever asks I call him my little energiser man he goes and goes and goes until.... he goes to sleep.
HTH
Natalie

[1+1=5]

ok, firstly, a child cannot be diagnosed with ADHD til they are 5 years old, its an actual chemical imbalance in the brain that needs to be tested for properly and its not something anyone can diagnose just by looking at a child. hence the large number of kids who have nasty reactions to ADHD medication.

it really annoys me that people jump straight to that conclusion when a child has more energy than another. as long as he is not being distructive or hurting anyone with his energy, i would tell people to shove it and mind thier own business.

i personally, would much rather have a high-spirited child than a quiet withdrawn child that doesn't show interets in his/her surroundings.

[Cheekychops]

Yes - but I call it "'Personality"........... he's a hoot!!! It is tiring, but he is who he is...... soooo much energy....... we have him on a restricted colours, flavours and preservatives diet simply because he doesn't need any extra stimulation or it goes bad for everyone.....

His teacher implied he might benefit from medication cause he is always on the go, but he was getting 24/25, 9.5/10 etc for his marks in year 1 last year so we knew he wasn't ADHD just bored probably......

His grandfather (DH dad) is still a very hyper loud personality, and I talked the whole 12 years of my school life and was quite loud...... what could I expect really?!? haha

As long as these 'high spirited' children are disciplined, and not let to just run wild on there own reaking havoc, I think they are great!!! We can learn alot from them about how to love life and make the most of every moment!!!

[MrsTwith3]

MY son who is nearly 3 is "high spirited" too. My mum is forever telling me that she knew i would get my pay back one day....lol I was a very hyperactive child as well. Im still kind of like that, that I cant sit still for too long and my mind takes forever to slow down.
I love my boy so much but he can be tiring at times.
I find that he is forever asking questions and looking at things with such interest and trying to figure out how everything works. He can become quite aggressive at times as well which is hard to deal with but we manage as best we can. There is no way in this world that he will ever be labelled with ADHD or the likes.

[daisyxs]

sometimes i wish DS came with a remote, mainly for the pause/stop effect.

he NEVER shuts up, is forever running around like a maniac (i cant wait til he's little athletics age)
and he is forever getting into trouble.

i got up this morning after feeding DD to find he had eaten all the custard in the house and then painted the carpet with the leftovers!! :banghead:

but he is an amazingly bright little boy, who always remembers his manners and doesnt fight with other children (except his sister).
I wouldnt for 1 second consider him as having ADD

[TeenyT]

Tamz, completely irrelevant to the ADD debate but is your DS an Aries by any chance??

[mummade3]

yes i have 1 too... just last week doctor asked me did he have add or adhd... n then gave me referral to child psyche...

my son is great!! and i thought just a normal little boy!! so i didnt use the referral..

i agree its personality!!

oh n i'm waiting for baby gym to start... i think he'll be a natural!! lol

[mum2peanut]

ADD is way too overdiagnosed these days IMO, some kids are just more hyper than others. You'd def have to wait until a child is older to be diagnosed, I think it's good that you know he is just a high spirited child, many parents just want their children medicated to make it easier on themselves. There's no way I'd give my kids drugs if I didn't need to. It's amazing how many kids head to the office for pills at the 12 o'oclock bell :eek:
I think a high spirited child is much more fun than a child who sits around quietly. Where's the fun in that?

[Jodiee]

I have just had my son tested for ADHD, from recommendation from the school to have it done, he has always been 'high spirited', but I thought it was just 'a boy thing' after 3 girls.. The school thought they new best, and said, 'nope, he has add', we went for a 'griffiths assessment' first (the first step), and the results came back that he doesnt infact have ADD, he is in fact gifted, and uses behavior for an outlet, cause he is bored at school etc. He has his IQ done in a few weeks to get extra work for this year. He has always, since a baby been like this.

Maybe your son is the same?? I mean, maybe he is just intelligent, and using his energy to outlet, instead of his brain, IYKWIM. Ever since the school has added 'older' work, he has been great, no running amok anymore!!

I also put himm on this diet, 'the failsafe diet', google 'sue dengate', and it will come up, and we discovered he is 100 timmes better without tomato in his diet!

HTH

[melfunction]

I have 'HurriKaiden'.

Last time we were at the GP, she said to me "Gee, he's active, isn't he"
Her way of saying 'Bloody hell, how do you keep up with him'?

I have always thought it was normal for a healthly little boy to be inquisitive and want to know things straight away.

The last thing I would want is a docile child who sat in the corner and didn't move.

My K is happy and healthy and definetly not going to be 'labled' by anyone.

[our little treasures]

My eldest and youngest brothers both have adhd and I really think it is overly used for children with very bad behaviour. You see it on the tv child with adhd violent rages, this is not what adhd is at all. It is a chemical imbalance which affects some children not every child.

adhd stops them from thinking before they act makes them get disrupted easily. Sometimes they talk way too much which is the case for my mum.

I think if your child is just highly active and not hurting anyone who cares, when they start becoming violent and distructive then I would be getting some help.

Years ago our parents had paddocks and blocks of land near by which we all use to play in, and children were worn out when they got home now there is nothing like this..

[Tamz]

Thanks for your replies guys!!!!!!
I would never put on him on any medication. My dad said to me one day that I would have a doctor say hes ADD and that he needs pills. But I didn’t want to say anything in my post, just incase I offended some people

LOL TEENY – love the question….no he’s a Virgo….but both his parents are ARIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahahahahahahahaha

Well least these LO’s keep us fit ay 

Cheers

Tamz

[~Emmylou~]

My two year old DD is FULL ON! She is busy busy busy all day long, doesn't stop moving, doesn't stop talking :ecomcity:
She is into everything, and she does not miss a trick. You'll think she's preoccupied doing something in another room so you'll try to sneak a bicky out of the cupboard....silently....and she is right there in two seconds flat. She will pull apart anything that isn't nailed shut.

Sometimes it's exhausting but I would also rather a curious and interested child than a withdrawn one. I was the same as a toddler apparently so my mum thinks it's pretty funny.
My stepdad has told my mum he thinks she has ADD :rolleyes: I just ignore it because I know she doesn't, she's just BUSY :laughing:

[jojojonsey]

Raising your spirited child : a guide for parents whose child is more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, energetic
Kurcinka, Mary Sheedy,
Summary
The spirited child--often called "difficult" or "strong-willed"-- can easily overwhelm parents, leaving them feeling frustrated and inadequate. Spirited kids are, in fact, simply "more"--by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and uncomfortable with change than the average child. Through vivid examples and a refreshingly positive viewpoint, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka offers parents emotional support and proven strategies for handling their spirited child. Raising Your Spirited Child will help you: Understand your child's--and your own--temperamental traits Plan for success with a simple four-step program Discover the power of positive--rather than negative--labels Cope with tantrums and blowups when they do occur Develop strategies for handling mealtimes, bedtimes, holidays, school and many other situations Filled with personal insight and authorative advice, Raising Your Spirited Child can help make parenting the joy it should be, rather than the trial it can be.

A friend of mine was always being questioned about her perfectly normal child's behaviour and said that this book really helped her to understand having a spirited child.

[nemosmum]

Wow its great to read posts from other mums with high spirited children.....alot of people just dont get it!

I hate having to explain and justify my sons behaviour/temprement to people as its exhausting and they usually dont understand anyway.

I know my son inside and out, he is active, energetic, curious, pushes the limits, tests the boundries, defies authority, feels things very strongly and acts on those feelings impulsively (theres no in betweens with him)

Im an EC teacher and have worked with children with ADD and ADHD in the past
My son is neither ADD or ADHD BUT he is also not mainstream iykwim

I believe its genetic and feel strongly that this is who he is, he was very energetic in the womb, very vocal and unsettled as a newbie and hasnt stopped since he could crawl!
(he is also exactly like dh)
all dh and i can do is parent him in the way that best suits him, in a way that will channel his boundless energy and curiosity into positive things.

Its exhausting and challenging and sometimes i just put my hands up and say "what next?"
BUT hey he is so sweet, generous, loving, funny, full of character and life! How can i complain:D

[melbryan]

[QUOTE=melephant;1001718]I have 'HurriKaiden'.

Like you Melephant I have a HurriKAYNE, and he is wild. I started to question whether there was something wrong when I was asked about whether he had autistic tendencies and having ADD by other people. I sort of get down because I think he is different to others, he is so much more active than my friends kids'. FOr e.g. on NYE this year we went to a friends place and at 12am he was still jumping on the trampoline while all the other baby's were sleeping, they all asked why is he so hypo, I said that's just him he is extrememly active. I know how you feel and I second guess myself all the time but realise he is a special little boy who has all the same needs as other children and no I wouldn't swap him for the world. He is bright too and counts to 20 and can say part of the alphabet and the things he comes out with sometimes I think wow how did he know that( he is 2). He is Gemini two personalities. WHen he is bad he is really bad and when he is good he is an angel. Oh and he is so loving to his brother, not to anyone else though.:ecomcity: :ecomcity:

He has calmed down a little so just let him grow and see how he pans out.

[melfunction]

He is Gemini two personalities.

Kaiden is a Gemini too :eek:

[Leeny]

He is bright too and counts to 20 and can say part of the alphabet and the things he comes out with sometimes I think wow how did he know that( he is 2). He is Gemini two personalities. WHen he is bad he is really bad and when he is good he is an angel.


Your whole post sounds like dd lol. Shes on the cusp of gemini and taurus, so shes got this spilt personality with a horribly temper. We say always tell her the nursery ryme "the was a little girl, with a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good she was very very good, but when she was bad, she was horrid." Shes nearly 20 months, and this week out of the blue she started counting to ten :eek:..She cant say one, four or five or 10 very well, but 2 3 6 7 8 9 are clear as day, and she sits there and rambles them off by herself lol. Shes hypo allll day long, the trantrums are just horrible. If shes kept busy doing something, shes great, but if shes bored of if she starts to wander, shes posessed.

I dont know wether shes a "high spirited" child, i havent infact heard of it until i read this thread, but she certainly sounds like all of your hypo kiddies. Shes such a handful.

[melbryan]

If shes kept busy doing something, shes great, but if shes bored of if she starts to wander, shes posessed.

.
Ds1 is exactly like this. He doesn't day sleep he falls asleep at 12am talking singing readin books I have had to remove lots of things from his room, especially those noisy toys. He just doesn't stop, I have done the food changes but nothing.:no:

He will be 3 in June and it has got alot better but shopping was a no no, we never woke him to go anywhere as he woke up foul, didn't flush a toilet when he was sleeping, he really ran our lives for 2 1/2 years and only now we are going on a holiday with him last year he got left behind. I really don't know now how we have coped with him.
The better they tend to talk and understand the better it has got for us parents.
My aunty said her son was like this and not to worry she got asked if he had ADD all the time but he has turned out really good.
Good luck to you all.

[becky_boo84]

Hi,
I Have Worked In Childcare For 7 Years And Trust Me Ive Worked With Thousands Of Different Kids... I Personally Think That Add And Adhd Are Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Overrated.. I Have So Many Carers Turn Around Just Coz A Child May Have Heaps Of Energy, Etc And Say 'he/she Has Add' And Then They Get All Funny When I Say No They Dont. Some Chikdren Just Have More Energy And Like To Do Different Things Than Others.. It Does Not Mean By Any Shape Or Form That They Have Add.. With All The Kids I Have Worked With I Have Probably Had Around 10 That Actually Did Have It.. So If U Are Worried Just Go To A Gp And They Will Refer U To Someone.. But Honestly I Would Not Panic Too Much...

[Gruzzlebub]

I had people comment on my DS1 last year and he was also labelled as "high spirited". He is energetic, loud, rumbunctious and very clever.

What I did find difficult though was his lack of cooperation - he wouldn't listen, he would shout, he would scream and throw the best tantrums.

We then decided to eliminate ALL additives and preservatives in his diet. Additives and preservatives can be found in bread, butter, jams, icecream etc. We also eliminated high sacillyate fruits and vegies - strawberries, oranges, broccoli, tomatoes. We are slowly reintroducing these.

He now listens, doesn't throw too many tantrums and is much much more cooperative. His behaviour noticably changes if he eats something with additives and preservatives.

Please, anyone with "highly spirited children" - try an elimination diet first before thinking they have ADD or ADHD.

By the way, we didn't mind his enthusiasm - just when he got out of control and wouldn't listen to the simplest of instructions (eg, getting dressed).