Calming down an Energetic Child

10 months old is WAAAAY to young to get any sort of diagnosis for ADD or anything like that. It sounds very much like my daughter. Never really slept much in the day, always getting in to things, didn't want to be held. She was too busy learning to crawl, walk, run, jump, etc that it seemed like I barely held her from the time she was 7 months until she was 15 months or so. When she was 3 and in preschool - and still extremely active - I asked about it. They told me it was still normal (it was a preschool connecting to the University's childhood development program - they know what they're talking about). She's now 10. She is moderately active, loves to play outside, play with toys and her little brothers, has a great imagination,and sometimes her mind wanders. And she's VERY determined (even stubborn). A normal 10-year-old.
So it sounds to me like you're daughter is just showing you her personality. It can be trying at times, but she's being her own person. Try to get her to take some quiet time even if she won't nap - lights out, lying down, maybe playing with a quiet toy. She may end up dropping off to sleep (but not always), and sleep may help calm her down too. Good luck and enjoy!

M.,
It is very possible that you just have an energetic child. And I'm not meaning to make you worried/nervous, because there are a lot of other things that you didn't put on there about. I am a therapist and have worked with autism in young children. The things that you listed can be symptoms of autism - but not necessarily!! There are a lot of other things that have to be happening too. These are definitely not main symptoms of autism. If you are worried, I would advise getting into early intervention or something similar just to have her checked out.

This is just my experience but my very active, screaming, up all night child is has Asperger's syndrom with heavy tendencies for Autism. He also has ADHD.

That being said, She could just be really active and everything will be fine. My youngest was active every night until 11 or 12 at night but would sleep until seven. He never napped during the day until he was almost two. Then he would sleep two hours, maybe.

She is probably to youngto determine if there is a deeper reason for it. My 5 yr old is very actie, has never slept much. He literally bounces off the walls and furniture almost all day long. You'd think tha would make him tired enough to sleep. But, it doesn't. He has been this way his whole life, even in the womb. I did have him in occupational therapy for some developmental delays, that also helped him channel his energy some. But he is still very active. I have also had him in for evaluations, testing, etc. Apparently heis still a little too young. They can't seem to decide if it is his age, personlity, or something more. I wouldn't worry about it too much right now. It is most likely just her age and personality. My 2 1/2 yr old is always jumping everywhere she goes. She is a little more mellow thanmy son, but still usually on the go. It is just how little ones often are. Enjoy it, they aren't little forever. Wait till you can see if it hinders thing like school, socialism, etc. then yo might want to talk to a doctor. Until then, just laugh. Thats what I do.

Hi M.,

She sounds very smart.

Were you worried about autism/asperger's? I wouldn't worry about her bouncing/hand-flapping thing unless that is all she wanted to do, or if she was obsessed with something weird, refused eye-contact, and was uninterested in people.

Kids are born with different personalities and temperaments. Your daughter sounds normal.

Have fun,

Marci

M.,
I don't really have any advise...just had to laugh because this sounds just like my 12 month old son. He will only take one 20 minute nap a day (when he is so tired he can't keep his eyes open). Otherwise he is on the go non-stop. He still is up a few times a night also. It is exaustghting to be sure. I have my living room completely childproofed with lots of toys so I just turn him loose and let him go.

It is most likely just her personality, but I would get her checked out just to be sure. A lot of "hyper" activities are signs of other things such as autism, ADD, etc. If it is just her personality, you may need to learn from some professionals on how to calm her down.

She sounds totally normal to me, some babies are just more "driven" than others to move and play and explore, it is a good thing! She will probably grow up to be smart and athletic. Don't try to get her to be more placid, just love her for who she is.