Activity - increased; Hyperkinetic behavior
Home Care
A child who is normally very active often responds well to specific directions and a program of regular physical activity. A child with a hyperactivity disorder, on the other hand, has a hard time following directions and controlling impulses.
Call your health care provider if
- Your child seems persistently hyperactive.
- Your child is very active, aggressive, impulsive, and has difficulty concentrating.
- Your child's activity level is causing social difficulties, or difficulty with schoolwork.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. There may also be a review of the home and school environments.
Medical history questions documenting hyperactivity in detail may include:
- Is this a new behavior for the child, or has the child always been very active?
- Is the behavior getting worse?
- Exactly what behavior have you noticed?
- Is the child physically active?
- Is the child easily distracted?
- Does the child have trouble following directions?
- Have you noticed anything that makes the child more or less active?
- Is the child more active at school than at home?
- What other symptoms are present?
The provider may recommend a thorough psychological evaluation.
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