My 3 year old has way too much energy?!?!?

Question

I am a single mother of a 3 yr old little boy. Like most kids his age, he's full of energy. But lately, i've noticed he has a hard time paying attention, doesn't stay interested in things too long, doesn't go to sleep til late at night, has a bad temper, runs out the door if it is opened. . . etc. These are signs of ADHD. Should I take him to get evaluated or should i wait a couple years? Its just getting to the point, to where i'm stressed out, and always tired...trying to keep up with him. . .

Answer 1

First, check his diet. Get rid of refined sugar as much as you can (think of juice, sweetened cereal, fruit snacks, etc.). Also, make sure he's not getting any caffeine (chocolate has some!).

Second, turn off the TV, because kid's programming actually contributes to low attention spans. Too many quick cuts. Same goes for video games. If he's got them, limit those to once a week unless they are the educational ones that engage him for 15 minutes or more at a time.

Third, make sure he has plenty of time for "large muscle" play, like going to a playground, swinging, digging in a sandbox, etc.  

Fourth, work on language skills -- read rhyming books like Dr. Seuss, sing songs or play CDs of kids' music ("Philadelphia Chickens is great and as a parent, I don't mind it at all! They Might Be Giants has a kids CD, too.)

Fifth, look for activities that he "sticks with" and make sure you have time for that scheduled each day. If it's puzzles or playing with cars or play-doh or taking a bath or whatever, do it every day, even twice a day, for slightly longer periods of time. This will help him develop his attention span. The activity might change after a week, but that's okay. Roll with it and switch to the next thing that interests him.

If you do all this and still think he's ADHD, you can have him evaluated.

Answer 2

Yup, theres nothing better than loading up our kids with drugs to make them more tolerable.

Answer 3

I think hes fine. I have a 3 year old cousin. He's so full of energy! A lot of the things you mentioned is what he does. All kids are different.

Answer 4

My 1 1/2 old is the same way! My oldest is 3 and can sit for hours and play and watch movies. My youngest will not sit more then a minute and look at the Tv, he is always on the go! And not only is he full of energy he likes to play with everything that is not his! Instead of toys he like to play with Microwave buttons, jump on beds, etc. I was beginning to think that he was adhd also but he is too young to find out.

Believe me I know what you mean about being tired and stressed! I am 6 months pregnant with #3 and and my lil guy is already like having 3!

Good luck!

Answer 5

GET HIM CHECKED A.S.A.P.  SO THAT WAY THEY CAN TREAT HIM, IF YOU WAIT AND WHEN HE STARTS SCHOOL HE WILL FALL BEHIND, I HAD A NEPHEW LIKE THAT AND THEY HELD HIM BACK A YEAR BECAUSE HE COULDNT FOCUS ON ANYTHING.

Answer 6

OMG he is a 3 yr old child why look for problem when there isn't any.

Speak to any parent in your child's Nursery they will say exactly the same.

Maybe you should lay some rules down and take control of your child.

There are too many parents trying to get there children diagnosed with some mental problem rather than being a parent and controlling there child

Answer 7

Do you have him involved in any activities? Gymnastics, martial arts, anyting that he can learn and excercise at the same time. He needs to be mentally and physically stimulated at this age, otherwise he's going to be frustrated and take it out the only way he knows how, by being "out of control".

Answer 8

Well duh! He must have autism or something!

Answer 9

I'm sick and tired of all the bs doctors and parents with no clue. The boy is 3 years old. Yes he can't pay attentio, yes he's bad, yes he's climbing the walls and seems to be out of control. Your son does not have ADHD. He is a normal child. I have 4 kids. 2 boys 2girls ages 5,6,6,10. The boys are bad, stubborn etc. Try not to get your beautiful boy wrapped up in todays (let me put him on medication bull ****) Let ADHD be for the kids who are really mentally disabled not for a normal kid whose out of control. Pray for him and spank him when needed and push him when he gets in school to be the best. My boys are doing good in school but did have problems when they first started school. There attention spand was short which is normal especially for small children. But there during great now. My sons are black and it is typical for them to label young black boys before they have a chance to even try. When they tried to label one of my boys I removed them from that class. Now my son is in a class where the teacher believes in him. He's now a good boy with perfect behavior at school and is geeting all A's and B's. When he was in the other class his attention spand was short, he was bad everyday not doing his classwork and was'nt learning that well. My sons have a bad temper too. When they were smaller they would always open the door and run out too. My kids try to stay up as late as posible too, except for one of my sons, he goes to sleep easier than the rest. All of the things you named are normal. My kids drive me crazy too. to the point where sometimes I feel like walking away. But that's the way kids are. Get use to it. And boys are very high strung. Please don't subject him to any bull **** madness your son is normal. He probaly just needs a good *** whooping and prayer.

Answer 10

You properly want to look into changing his diet first, then redirecting his energy to something else like sports. Most boys are like this, everyone doesn’t have a long attention span.  Different things capture different people’s attention. He's still so young and you’re still getting to know him, so just be patient and work on wearing him out before he wears you out. Activies like mutual acts really help out with this.

Answer 11

You need to wait---a lot of what you are describing can be perfectly normal for a kid this age.

Those things you listed might be indicative of ADHD in a MUCH older child, but not paying attention LOL is to be expected in a child at this developmental stage.

Give him things to do that will enable him to burn off physical and mental energy and that should help. Keep seeing the doctor for regular checkups and share your concerns.

Answer 12

get him checked for ADD or ADHD

i think thats more of an ADD thing though

because it really doesnt have much of a hyperactive problem

does he?

if your in sydney

the best doctor i'd recoment you to see is doctor Rory Macarthy (in the city)

look him up

or ask about him

he helps so much

:)

good luck

and the sooner you get him checked

the better

just incase you know