Hyperactive child.

I haven't told anybody but I secretly think my 3 year old has a hyperactivity disorder. I fear even saying it out loud because frankly, it scares me. I don't know what this means.. or anything about what to do to help her.. I feel like I've done some thing wrong raising her.

She's a firecracker. Always in constant motion. Always talking. She seems to have no focus, nothing can maintain her attention for even a short period of time. She's irritable, stubborn, and outspoken. She's rude, and even calls people and things stupid. She doesn't play well with others and never shares. She hits herself and destroys toys. She still puts things in her mouth (crayons, paper, anything!) And throws horrible tantrums.

What am I doing wrong, and what can I do to help her?  

So weird but I was thinking that exact same thing about my 18 month old.

Personally, I just think kids are hyper in general and that their issues can usually be corrected with better diet and sleeping habits.

I feel the same about my son who is 6 and acts the same way. I'm pretty sure he has ADHD but everyone else is oh it's just the age. Yeah, ive seen him around other kids his age and lets just say I get pretty embarrassed. When I take him to his yearly checkup I'm going to ask his pediatrition what she thinks and to see if I need to have him tested.

Quoting Shibby.:" So weird but I was thinking that exact same thing about my 18 month old. "

But whats the difference between normal, wild, toddler behavior and ADHD? Where's the line ?

Quoting ♥ darah ♥:" Personally, I just think kids are hyper in general and that their issues can usually be corrected with better diet and sleeping habits. "

More structure, right?

It seems to have gotten worse just in the couple weeks she's been on summer break from day care. This house has been out of whack since the girls started their summer break.

Quoting Mrs. Mendez ™:" But whats the difference between normal, wild, toddler behavior and ADHD? Where's the line ?"

My kid acts just like yours. I don't treat it like it's ADHD. I just treat it like she's a toddler.

Quoting MrsAutrey:" I feel the same about my son who is 6 and acts the same way. I'm pretty sure he has ADHD but everyone ... [snip!] ... I take him to his yearly checkup I'm going to ask his pediatrition what she thinks and to see if I need to have him tested."

I'm glad you said it, because I didn't want to.

Her behavior embarrasses me. I feel at fault for how out of control she is.

Quoting ♥ darah ♥:" My kid acts just like yours. I don't treat it like it's ADHD. I just treat it like she's a toddler."

I've had a toddler before and she was nothing like her. Granted, they are two different children. They're night and day, complete opposites. But my oldest daughter is the only thing I have to compare to.

Is there anything I should be doing differently? Anything I can do to help her? She lacks the ability to focus and I'm afraid it will effect her in school later down the road..

Quoting Mrs. Mendez ™:" I've had a toddler before and she was nothing like her. Granted, they are two different children. They're ... [snip!] ... Anything I can do to help her? She lacks the ability to focus and I'm afraid it will effect her in school later down the road.."

Exactly.. they are two different kids. No two will be the same, even if they have the same mother. IDK what you're doing now, so I can't give much advice. I've heard more Omega 3s will help most kids with hyperactive problems, multi-vitamins, also staying away from artificial dyes in foods and replacing sugary foods (pastries, candies, carbs/complex sugars) with more fruits/vegetables.

Sounds like a normal toddler to me.

Quoting Mrs. Mendez ™:" I'm glad you said it, because I didn't want to. Her behavior embarrasses me. I feel at fault for how out of control she is."

Well, my cousin's stepdaughter is ADHD and I remember how she was before they found out(between the ages of 2 and   and put her on meds to control it. My son acts pretty much the same way as she did back then. Granted I dont want to put him on meds but he is having learning issues at school and I believe that is why. I feel if we test him and get to the bottom of this then he will do so much better in school. He is a very smart kid but has issues retaining certain information unless it actually interests him.