Are these symptoms of ADHD?? | ADHD Information

Hello, I have a 9 year old nephew who I am very very close to. He has
been having trouble with bullies at school for the past 2 yrs or so and
now he tells me that this year he doesn't have any friends in his class. (he
does have a best best best friend on my mom's street, they have been
friends since 2yrs old.) He is obsessed with Pokemon, and owns a ton of
these toys. He doesn't show much interest in anything else. He is very
warm, very very loving, friendly. He is an only child and loves to have the
opportunity to be with other children. But, he swears after many times
being told not to, he isnt listening to instruction like he used to, he is not
being oppositional, just goes on doing whatever he wants. He has always
been talkative. but now he is screaming alot, and never seems able to
play quietly. He has a great sense of humor and thinks everything is
funny, and thats something I have always enjoyed about him, but its his
lack of attention in doing things for himself, ex.. doesnt want to tie his
shoes, has to be forced to do so, he has to be told many times to do the
simplest tasks.   I find my mother and brother becoming more and more
annoyed with him.(even though we all love him to death.) More and more
yelling at him is happening all the time now, and I notice he doesn't do
the things he does to get people angry, I get the feeling he just has a
hard time controlling himself. He touches alot, and sometimes
inappropriately, (to be funny, not dirty.) He invades peoples space, I have
seen him be to hands on with other kids. He get up during dinner alot,
or always has to have toys with him at the table. He will play games with
us but usually gives up easily and finds interest wanting to do something
else, even though he likes the game. Even when we take him to see a
movie he really wants to see, and seems to be enjoying, sometimes half
way through, he wants go home to play with his friend or his toys at my
mom's house. Let me let you know, My brother (his father) and my
nephews mom have been apart since he was 8 months old. We see him
2xs a week at my mom's house. Also, my husband and I just had our
first baby in april, and its his only cousin on this side of his family, I was
wondering if this could be causing some of his acting up.. Again he is
sweet and cute, and never violent or cruel and never has mood swings or
tantrums...thats why i really never thought he could be ADHD. He does
well in school although he is starting to get into trouble with other kids,
ex...last week he told me he accidentally bumped into some kid and got in
trouble for it....He doesn't play sports, he does no extra curricular
activities (he doesnt seem to want to.) We don't really speak to his mom, I
wouldnt even know how to address this with her. If anyone on here could
help me, I can give more detail if u ask, I just don't know what info you
might need. I know he cannot be diagnosed on here, but does this sound
like possible ADHD or is he just a 9 yr old kid? Thanks

It could be ADHD, and he would have to get an evaluation by a Neuropsychologist to be sure, or it could be "9 year old boy /only child syndrome". I could also be problems with being away from parents due to divorce etc, There is really no way to tell without an eval, but it doesn't sound like ADHD to me.

yes

I am a little shocked that there are kids who "always" bully him. My kids schools do not tolerate this and if it's to a point where they are making him pee on a wall, it's extremely serious. If he's having other issues, maybe there are social things that are triggering it. If he feels odd and insecure at school, he might be more prone to act goofy at home. I know 9 year olds do act strange sometimes - the sense of humor and all, but not sitting for meals, losing interest in a movie, those could be ADHD symptoms. But, if he has ADHD, his teachers would see it, no doubt. It sounds like getting some different people together might help clear up some questions - his teachers might have insight into the symptoms, bullying, social issues. Maybe counseling just so he has someone to open up to? This probably isn't much help. I agree, it's great he has you in his life!
Hello, thanks for the responses.... I also just found out he got in trouble
again this week at school for peeing on the wall in the bathroom. He claims
one of the kids who always bullies him dared him to do it, but I don't know
how true that might be...either way, he should not have done something like
that.   

I am starting to think it is ADHD.... and have to get his mom to do
something about testing himIt is impossible to try and tease out all the issues you bring up without professional help and evaluation.  He may have ADHD.....it takes on many different forms.  OR...you may be witnessing pure behavioral issues due to the many family dynamics  going on, or the school dynamics going on (bullying, etc).  I feel a professional evaluation is needed at this point.

Kuddos to you for having such involvement in your nephew's life.  He is lucky.

Okiemom