What is Hyperactivity?
“You’re not paying attention.” “Don’t you know where you put your lunch money?” “Stop fidgeting!” “Don’t interrupt.” Can you imagine what it would be like to hear people talk to you this way every single day? If you can imagine it, or if it sounds just like what you’re used to hearing, then you know what it’s like to have ADHD. Those letters stand for a condition called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Kids who have ADHD are not bad, lazy, or stupid. They have a disorder that means they may have problems paying attention or sitting still in their seats. They can also act on impulse – this means doing things without thinking about them first. Kids with ADHD may spend a lot of time in the principal’s office. Sometimes they do things that cause them to get hurt. They might change their friends a lot.
Hyperactivity is a difficult term to define, since it means many things to many people. Hyper, means “above,” and activity scarcely needs an explanation. In strictest definition, hyperactivity refers to activity, most often physical, above the normal level for a person within a particular age group. There are moments when we all may feel a little hyperactive or behave so. We might be excited about an upcoming event and unable to sit still or when we go to sleep, our minds race and we have trouble staying asleep. For children, hyperactivity usually refers to a set of behaviors: twitching, wriggling, being unable to stay seated, or having parts of the body constantly in motion, like a jiggling foot or a bouncing leg, or alternately, being unable to remain quiet when a teacher is talking. Think Robin Williams during one of his comedy routines or even in an interview (without the profanity) to get a sense of the hyperactive child. This is often paired with an extremely short attention span
Hyperactivity (sometimes also called Attention Deficit Disorder) is better known by the combined term Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is the name officially recognised by the American Psychiatric Association for a range of behaviour problems in children, including restlessness, poor concentration and impulsiveness. ADHD is internationally recognised but relatively fewer cases are diagnosed in the United Kingdom because of differences relating to the criteria for making a diagnosis.
Hyperactivity is defined as excessive physical activity or movements that have no purpose and are increased in speed. Hyperactivity is sometimes associated with ADD, as in ADHD. What characteristics are associated with hyperactivity? Frequently, the hyperactive person is labeled as fidgety. Toddlers who are hyperactive are on-the-go constantly and have difficulty playing in a group activity. Children with hyperactivity shows excessive running or talking for their age group. The school age child who is hyperactive is frequently fidgeting with something or is out of his/her seat in class. These children find it nearly impossible to do their homework. Adults with hyperactivity are labeled as people who “never sit still.” They have a difficult time relaxing. Are there genetic factors associated with hyperactivity? Although not always true, hyperactivity tends to be found in certain families. Usually children with hyperactivity will have a relative who either suffers or has suffered from th
