My son hasn't officially been diagnosed with anything, but after having a conference with his teacher (who is so patient and good with him), it seems he definitely has "something." We have a conference with the school counselor later this week, and he has his 7-year-old well check next week with his pediatrician.
My son is a very bright child, probably gifted. He loves doing school work that is challenging for him (while the other kids are learning simple math, his first-grade teacher gives him multiplication to work on). However, once he is done with the work, he goes into hyperactive mode and completely disrupting the class to the point where he has to be "calmed down" at times by the teacher. He always has to be the center of attention with the other kids (not adults), and this makes him always talking, getting involved, butting in, etc.
More often than not, he is a very active child, going nonstop to the point where we have to tell him 4 or 5 times that he needs to listen, slow down, or get under control. When he "gets in his mode" (which he calls himself a "machine"), he gets very wild to the point where he does things he isn't supposed to, becomes verbally mean without trying by not thinking what he is saying, becomes disrespectful to others, and it becomes "a problem" whatever situation he is in. If we, his parents or his teacher, aren't there, it is hard for someone else to get him under control because they don't have as much patience for him.
Yet, there are other times where he is under control with us, acting appropriately, and just having fun. Granted, those times are less than the others (I'd say 25% of the time), but they are there.
Is it possible to have ADHD yet still be able to concentrate so fully on projects and school work (he is always getting 98s and 100s)? Does this even sound like ADHD?
Thank you so much in advance?
My understanding was that ADHD kids can stay focused on things they are really interested in. Also, if he is gifted, that can compensate for the ADD in some cases. My ADHD DS is gifted and and that fact has really helped him in school (I am so thankful for that!). All of that said, it could be some of his issues are the results of being very bright and hence bored.
Good luck!
Your child may be what is referred to as "Twice Exceptional" Some children are gifted but can also have ADHD in which case the criteria for diagnosing is more involved and complicated. I suggest you have your child tested by a clinician trained in the field of making a differential diagnosis. This is not something a counselor or even a psychologist can properly diagnose. I recommend that you have your child tested by either a neuro/psychologist or a child psychiatrist to ascertain the reason your child is exhibiting the behaviors you are concerned about. Do a search on the internet with regard to the "Twice Exceptional Student" or "Twice Gifted" to give yourself a better understanding of the terminology.