“What are the signs of a hyperactive child?”

Easy distractibility, organizational problems, moving around a lot.

If you're wondering if your child is hyperactive to the point of needing medication for ADHD, that requires professional assessment by a child psychiatrist or psychologist trained in those techniques. "Hyperactivity" in general is a personality trait and, as with all personality traits, some individuals are more so than others. Children are expected to be overactive with poor impulse control and lots of energy, so it's important to distinguish the energetic enthusiastic child from one who will need help learning to function in society. Avoid labeling your child, or restricting him/him from exploring the environment. Encourage daily activity -- mental as well as physical -- and provide appropriate redirection/reminders for age. Do not expect your child to behave like and adult, but neither should your child be disrespectful, disruptive, or harmful to other individuals, pets, or his environment. Seek guidance from your pediatrician if you have concerns -- do not take the word of a teacher or a neighbor or a relative that your child "needs medicine."

Shelley C. Springer, MD, MBA, MSc, JD, FAAP

Inability to sit still, usually very fidigity. They cannot keep their hands to themselves. They interrupt frequent and usually easily distracted. They have trouble finishing a task.