Q My son is nine and in third class. He is constantly in trouble in school, for being distractable, giddy and not being able to sit still. To be honest, he has always acted a bit like the class clown and I think sometimes it is almost habit for him to mess. Most teachers have “got” him over the years, but he is clashing terribly with his current teacher. Will he grow out of this or do I need to get him some help?

David replies:  It is unlikely that your son will grow out of his behaviours, given that they have been present for as long as he has been in school. I wonder have any of his teachers ever queried if he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? The behaviours you describe of distractibility, giddiness and not being able to sit still would all fit with a diagnosis of ADHD.

Naturally, there are lots of other factors involved in ADHD, not least of which are that the behaviours are also evident at home, so you would need to get a full assessment carried out. That might help to differentiate if the issues he has in school are something to do with his intrinsic make-up, or if they are just learned habits that now fit with a particular role he has set for himself as the messer/class clown.

Ideally his school will assist you in pursuing an assessment with the National Educational Psychological Service. This can consider his general learning as well as any behavioural or emotional challenges he may have and should increase everyone’s understanding of his needs.

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