Overly Clingy Kitty

My year and 1 month kitty, Atticus, is way too clingy. He has had no trauma in his life and has lived in the same place with the same surroundings. However, he wants to be held all the time. When I am not holding him, he is by my feet looking up at me. Then he jumps from the floor, to my shoulder, knowing I will catch him and hold him. He is constantly in my lap, demanding attention. Is this normal behavior for a cat of any age? I love him very much and admit to supporting this behavior, however, I want him to have some independence.

You have babied this thing and now it can't do a thing without you.
   
First of all, stop giving in to his constant need to be held. Don't pick him up. Don't get into a position where he jumps on your shoulder and you must catch him.
   
If that happens, catch him and then put his butt right down on the floor again.
   
He does it again. You do it again. If he persists, get up and walk away but do not let him win.
   
He needs to have his horizons expanded.
   
Does he ever go outside? Push his butt out the door and let him sniff the great outdoors. He might find something interesting.
   
Don't let him in the moment he whines at the door. Leave the room if you have to but he stays out.
   
Does he have a toy? Introduce one, like a bizzy ball or a catnip mouse.
   
You could even use an empty spool of thread, the cork from a wine bottle or a bottle cap. Anything they can bat around is fine.
   
See if you can get him to bat it around on his own. If not, then engage him in play but over time, back off the amount of time you spend playing with him and his toy so that he'll start to bat it around all by himself.
   
Part of his problem could be boredom. Pestering you for attention is something to do.
   
This is where a toy would be helpful. It will occupy him without being a nuisance to you.
   
Good luck.
   

Thanks so much! He has plenty of toys to choose from, including a 5ft tall cat condo to climb on for excerise and a big brother kitty to wrestle with. However, we can't let him outside due to the fact that we live in an apartment and he is declawed. I have never in my life seen a more affectionate cat.He is a rescue so I wanted to make sure he knew that he could trust people. Though, the odd behavior like him jumping on me to be held and following me around all day, he has done since day one that we brought him home. I am lucky to have such a sweet darling, but he does need some independence to live the fullest life possible. Thanks again for the suggestions!