Today is my "boys day" at Guitar Center.

@TheHorse (224979)
Walnut Creek, California
April 3, 2025 9:31am CST
If they were older, maybe I'd bring some beer. Not. I have nothing but boys today, all with varying levels of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). . Wait. Is it really ADHD? Or are they just boys being boys? What do you think? Is ADHD "real"? I think so, but I also think it's over-diagnosed. The cool thing about ADHD kids is that if you can get them focused on something, they're really focused on it. Anyway, how is your Thursday shaping up? Photo is one of my kid clients up a tree.
8 people like this
7 responses
@Kandae11 (56097)
3 Apr
Yesterday it was Autism awareness day and l learned that some autistic kids also suffer from ADHD . What a combination.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
22h
I have worked with some kids on the Autism spectrum who also have some ADHD tendencies. There is also some overlap between the symptoms of the two "disorders."
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (113895)
• Marion, Ohio
21h
I think it's real but over diagnosed. I also feel solid, steady rules and enforcement helps a lot. My nephew was diagnosed with it so I looked up the symptoms. My youngest son actually had more of the things to look for than my nephew did. I babysat him one summer and after the first couple of weeks he settled down and was a joy to have. But my rules were steady and when I did sit him in a corner it didn't matter how much he yelled or cried. He had to stay there. With his mom something would be okay one day and not the next. And all he had to do if she did try to punish him was be very loud and obnoxious. She would let him up to shut him up.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
4h
I think my approach is different from yours. But consistency, and not giving in to tantrums, is important.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (113895)
• Marion, Ohio
4h
@TheHorse I used the time out method for a lot of things
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
3h
@wolfgirl569 I revised the time out method, with great success. They (whoever "they" is) used to recommend one minute of time out per year of age of the child. I realized early in my developmental psychology career that four minutes was an eternity for a 4-year-old, and held no real educational value. I tend to give 15 second time outs for a "first infraction," increasing the time to 30 seconds for a second infraction, etc. It worked perfectly. The kids could tell I didn't "enjoy" giving them a time out, and they could get back to their learning activities quickly.
@celticeagle (172579)
• Boise, Idaho
23h
How can you really tell the difference? I am getting a lot done.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
22h
ADHD kids can be a distraction in the classroom and have a hard time focusing. But if you can get them interested in something, their focus can be really good.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (172579)
• Boise, Idaho
22h
@TheHorse .......I lived through my grandson's ADHD. He's 22 now and still has his moments.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
4h
@celticeagle Does he sometimes just space out? My red haired boys do.
• China
4h
Now that they can focus attention on what you expect them to do, I don't think they get ADHD.Kids that get ADHD have a very short attention span.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
3h
Can you reward your statement so I can understand it better? Many of the ADHD kids I have worked with get really focused if the task is of interest to them.
@JudyEv (349818)
• Rockingham, Australia
18h
I guess it's just random that all today's kids have ADHD? I think it might be over-diagnosed but I'd have no idea really. I guess in my day such kids were just 'naughty' or 'highly strung' depending on whether they were yours or mine! lol
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
4h
LOL! Our own kids are good kids and "unusually intelligent."
@LindaOHio (185598)
• United States
8h
I've never seen young boys focused. They are in constant motion.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
4h
Exactly!
@RasmaSandra (83538)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22h
I hope you had a great time with the boys at the Guitar Center, Wrote up and posted more articles,
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224979)
• Walnut Creek, California
22h
Thanks. I'll provide a report when I get home.
1 person likes this