Synonyms
Definition
Motor activity that is developmentally inappropriate and significantly excessive relative to same-aged peers.
Description
Hyperactivity is frequently first identified as a problem in children as they enter preschool or kindergarten, and demands of the classroom environment (e.g., sitting still during lessons) are incompatible with excessive motor activity. Clinical interviews of parents that present with concerns of hyperactivity in their children, however, often reveal a pattern of excessive activity that was present since a much earlier age. For example, retrospective reports from parents recount their children climbing on kitchen cabinets, jumping on furniture, and struggling to sit still while getting dressed. Notably, extant studies suggest that individual differences in activity level are first apparent at the 28th week of gestation, and continue along a curvilinear developmental trajectory [12]....
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References
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Alderson, R.M., Hudec, K.L. (2011). Hyperactivity. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1412
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_1412
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