Looking for Support and Advice: Could My 5-Year-Old Have ADHD or Just Be Very Active?
Hi parents,
I’m reaching out because I really need some support and advice from those who might have walked a similar path.
I have a 5-year-old daughter who has a speech delay and is extremely active. By “active,” I mean she literally never seems to get tired — she always wants to be doing something and can’t sit still or stay quiet for more than a few minutes without getting bored.
She started school late because it was so hard to find a school that truly understood her. Many mistook her energy for stubbornness. Thankfully, we finally found a place that accepts her as she is. She absolutely loves books — we never have to push her to do homework. As long as she has books around, she’s engaged and happy.
Believe it or not, she started reading before she turned 2, mostly teaching herself with the help of videos we downloaded.
It’s been a challenging journey raising her. Her speech delay made communication really tough for years. But we’ve made huge progress — she can now say a lot more and even answer questions! Just recently, I got up from the bed and she asked, “Want to poo?” I said, “No, I want to pee,” and it felt like such a small but beautiful victory.
Now, some people have mentioned that she might have ADHD. I’ve done a lot of research, and the only symptom that fits is hyperactivity. She’s not impulsive or inattentive — just full of energy.
We have an appointment with a pediatrician next week, but while we wait, I’d love to hear from experienced parents or caregivers:
Has anyone had a similar experience with a high-energy child?
How did you know if it was ADHD or just their personality?
Did speech delays affect how your child was evaluated?
I’m really trying my best, but I worry a lot and want to support her the right way. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
@Terraline
Hello, firstly welcome to 7cups! And thank you for sharing your story.
It does sound like your five year old could have somthing like ADHD. However this would need to be diagnosed through the mental health professional after testing.
I know what it's like as I habe a 4 year old with ADHD and other delays through ASD. Its quite a battle. The give away for us was the lack of sleeping dispite us doing everything to maintain a routine. It was mixed with the hyperactivity and her ability to be on the go from the moment she wakes up. She does have moments where she will crash, particularly if she is over stimulated. These are all common of ADHD.
I hope that your able to find some answers and that your able to reach out to your pediatrician to start the assessment for your little one.