Hyperactive Behavior: A Basic Guide for Parents

In my practice, a common symptom that parents approach me about is hyperactivity.  Contrary to popular belief, hyperactivity is not necessarily an attention disorder issue.  First, depending on the age of the child, some hyperactive behavior can be age appropriate (preschool).  Other times, if an older child demonstrates hyperactivity or even inattentiveness, it can also mean that the child is anxious or agitated about something, and this may be the way in which they are discharging nervous energy.  In addition, a child could have a learning issue that may be leading to difficulty in school.  This can result in frustration and avoidance of schoolwork, and can look like hyperactivity when in fact it is a coping skill the child has developed to deal with the academic issue.   At home, hyperactive behavior may stem from an overstimulating environment (such as a lot of toys, noise, or activity), or a lack of limits.

Although hyperactivity can be indicative of a childhood disorder, many times this behavior can be a result of the above variables.  It is important to tease out what may be leading to the hyperactive behavior before attempting to give the child a diagnosis or prescribe medication.  In my practice, I contact the child's teacher, interview the parent, and observe the child across multiple environments to clearly evaluate the cause.  It is important to go through all of these avenues so that the child is diagnosed correctly and gets the appropriate intervention to meet their needs.

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