What is Hyperactivity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Most of the ADHD kids that are seen in a private practice setting are hyperactive kids simply because they get into the most trouble. Their parents are usually pulling their hair out and saying, “We’ve got to get this child some help.” The sad truth is that if a parent is going to spend money to get treatment for his kid, that kid’s usually got to get into trouble first. So that’s why hyperactive kids are seen the most in treatment. Remember, though, not all of the kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are hyperactive. Perhaps as many as two out of three are, but perhaps as few as only 50%. So, that means that as many as 35% to 50% of kids with ADHD are not hyperactive. So, what is hyperactivity? If you have a child who is hyperactive, you need no explanation. He’s the one running across the ceiling. But for the rest of you, this is what hyperactivity in children and teens looks like. These are kids that act as if they are driven by a motor. They “go.” You wind them up in
