ADDHD or Normal 7 year old Boy Behavior

[AKR1]

I'm concerned that my 7-year old son could have borderline ADDHD but at the same time, could this just be normal 7 year old boy behavior? When seeing him play baseball for instance, he loses focus on the field (can't stay in the "ready" position, rolls around in the grass, always looking around himself and not at the game), is constantly "goofing" around in the dugout and doesn't seem to listen to the coaches instructions. I don't see any of his teammates acting in the same manner. At home, he has a hard time listening and following instructions, we have to tell him several times to do or not to do something, he interrupts my husband and my conversation, changes subjects when talking mid-stream, and has a tendancy to be very talkative at times. When playing with friends, he never knows when to "stop" goofing around, often to the frustration of some of his friends. However, having said all of this, he is doing well with his schoolwork (I never struggle with homework issues), has a good focus with his piano lessons and has plenty of friends at school. He never has had serious discipline issues at school and the teachers/coaches/principal say he's a very sweet boy that is well liked. However, in seeing a lot of the other boys in his class, my son appears more immature and rather impulsive. Would you consider the above behavior typical for a 7 year old boy or could he possibly have symptoms of ADDHD?

[Sandman2]

   He has had a huge change in his life and - wow - Texas?   Thats an even bigger change.  He is only 7 and doesn't have the tools to express himself.  I would think the school would be a bit more understanding.   You might try talking with his teacher and telling her what a change it has been for your son.  Maybe she could find some other way to work with him.  
   Has he been in school since early Sept. or has he just recently been enrolled?   It makes a difference.
   You might try some books by Adolph Moser who is a psychologist that runs a holistic based youth center for kids with challenges.  Here are some of the titles-----------"Don't Pop Your Cork On Monday" and "Don't Rant and Rave on Wednesday" and "Don't Feed the Monster on Tuesday" and "Don't Despair on Wednesday" and "Don't tell a Whopper on Thursday" and "Don't Fall Apart on Friday" and "Don't be a menace on Sundays".  These are part of his emotional impact series and are written well with good illustrations
   And, I think, he really needs a friend if possible.  See if there is any one that you can invite over for a playdate.  
   If he did not have these problems in the UK, then a lot is definitely due to the change.

[mumwithfive]

I have two autistic daughters and im starting too see traits in my two sons very emotional wont concentrate have too repeat questions get obsessive about one thing like things done a particular way need an crave routine is anyone else experiencing this ?

[Edunn]

Like nearly everyone on this very long list, I have a 7 yr old son who has always been a bit of a handful. He is very clever, funny, kind, loving, and can be quite vulnerable at times. However he has since moving to Texas from the uk been getting into trouble more and more regularly at school. He gets easily distracted and likes to mess around and play fight with other boys but when he is told off, gets angry and struggles to control his reaction. This gets him into trouble with teachers who consider his reaction or in some cases attempts to argue with the teacher and explain the situation from his perspective disrespectful and inappropriate. He also gets into trouble for deciding he does not want to join in with certain activities in class like dancing or singing. Every time he reacts badly he is sent out of class and now he has been sent home! We talk with him daily about the right way to react and not to answer back when told off, but this makes no difference. If you shout at him or get frustrated he cries and tell you you are hurting his feelings so we talk calmly to him and try to get him to understand the impact of behaviour and that it is not his choice what to do at school. We are talking to the school psychologist and trying to make a difference but really do not know what the problem is or how to help him stop this. Help!

[tammy645]

I am looking for a supplement you decribed for my 7 yr old grandson the teacher says hes very smart but can t stay focased really concerned

[Sandman2]

   Thats interesting I have never heard of that.  You don't have a link to the study do you.  I would love to find out more.   I have seen lots that show no sugar link to hyperactivity - but nothing that ever looked at the type of sugar.  The idea that you could make anything good for you out of beets has always amazed me.  
   Anyway, the nice thing about diet changes is that  it is something that is can be done and modified till it works or it doesn't.  Thanks for the post.

[Marycary]

Haven't read the report you mention but  a British medical study in 2011 took 100 children with ADHD of various levels, (all statemented) and found 60% of them had a beet sugar intolerance, amongst others, but beet was the highest common factor. When removed from their diet, all children's level of ADHD reduced significantly. My son's behaviour has also improved considerably since removing it from his diet, and school pronounced it a miracle. Although we still have someway to go yet with his behaviour,  beet sugar continues to be avoided. There is bound to be a mineral / trace element factor involved in this difference of sugars and wish someone would establish what this  is, as Cane sugar seems to be fine.