Children who have ADHD may be very active, but that’s not enough to make them have the disorder.
Some children with ADHD have low energy, inattentiveness, and other symptoms.
Children with ADHD may have a lot of energy. This means their ability to control their activity level and impulses is chronically difficult.
Symptoms of ADHD
For children with ADHD, hyperactivity and the other primary characteristics of impulsivity and inattention are just the tip of the iceberg. There may be additional characteristics that are not as obvious. Some ADHD symptoms, for example, have an impact on the following areas of development:
Processing of Information
Children with ADHD frequently struggle to process information.
In the case of the hyperactive individual, the individual may have difficulty slowing down enough to process information accurately. This can cause issues in the classroom, where students are expected to understand and respond to instruction quickly and accurately.
Emotional Control
Children with ADHD are easily frustrated and overwhelmed and have difficulty regulating their emotions. These symptoms can disrupt social relationships, leading to isolation and low self-esteem.
Executive Power
Executive function issues, such as organizing, planning, prioritizing, paying attention, and remembering details, are common in children with ADHD. These issues can be problematic in a variety of contexts. Even in after-school sports, players are expected to arrive prepared, remember what they were taught, and arrive on time.
Maturity
Children with ADHD are also less mature developmentally than their peers of the same age. As a result, an 11-year-old with ADHD may think and behave more like a young child than a rising adolescent.
Differentiating ADHD from High Energy
If your child is hyperactive and struggles to sit still, they may show signs of ADHD. However, if they can also control their impulses and emotions, pay attention, and respond appropriately at home and school, they are most likely just energetic.
While the core symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, not all children (or adults) with ADHD will exhibit these symptoms in the same way or to the same extent. You will undoubtedly notice changes in how the characteristics manifest or present as they progress through life stages.
Other Causes of Hyperactivity in Children
ADHD may explain why your child is hyperactive, but there are other possible causes for your child’s high energy levels. Other possible causes include the following:
- Anxiety and bipolar disorder are two mental health conditions impacting activity and energy levels.
- Medical conditions like hyperthyroidism and nervous system disorders can also impact energy levels.
- Inadequate physical activity can also lead to feelings of restlessness and high energy.
- Stress: Hyperactivity in children can occur as a result of stress.
- Tiredness: When children are tired, they may experience paradoxical bursts of high energy. Children with ADHD may also experience sleeping difficulties and fatigue, making regulating their emotions and behaviors more difficult.
Consult your child’s doctor if he or she is experiencing hyperactivity. Your child’s pediatrician can assess their symptoms, rule out other conditions, make a diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatments and coping strategies.
How to Help Children Cope with Excessive Energy
Whether your child is hyperactive due to ADHD or has a lot of energy, you can use several coping strategies to help them.
- A sense of structure can help children better understand expectations and what they must do each time of day.
- Reduce distractions: Children who are hyperactive or high energy have a more difficult time staying on task, so reducing distractions can help improve their focus.
- Allow them to play: Make sure your child has plenty of opportunities for physical activity. This can include time spent outside, but you should also consider enrolling them in other activities, such as sports teams.
- Limit sugar and caffeine: Excess sugar and caffeine can exacerbate high energy levels and disrupt sleep. Limiting these substances may assist your child in better controlling their behavior.
- Provide reinforcement: When your child stays focused, works toward a goal, or completes a task, praise them.
If you or your child needs help, don’t hesitate to contact us at Kazmo Brain Center. We’re here to help.
