You’ve likely heard of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; but do you know what it is? And more importantly — do you know the signs to look for in your child?
ADHD affects as many as 1 in 10 school-age children, and may even be under-diagnosed, particularly in girls. Here’s what you need to know about ADHD, including four key indicators to look for before seeking a diagnosis.
What Exactly Is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. While those with ADHD are typically diagnosed when they are a child or adolescent, many continue to experience the disorder throughout their adult life.
There are three main ways ADHD presents in children:
- Predominately inattentive presentation: Easily distracted, forgets the details of even daily routines or tasks.
- Predominately hyperactive-impulsive presentation: Difficulty sitting still for long, impulsive/restless. Might have trouble waiting for their turn or listen to directions.
- Combined presentation: A combination of the symptoms above
While research continues to help better understand the causes of ADHD, current studies show that genetics may play an important role in who is at risk for experiencing ADHD.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of ADHD?
It can be tricky to determine if children are truly exhibiting the signs of ADHD — after all, children by nature simply have an inability to focus or behave at times. The hallmark symptoms of ADHD can be severe and cause difficulty in their day-to-day lives, including:
- Forgetfulness
- Disorganization
- Limited attention span
- Impulsivity
- Poor time management/planning skills
- Hyperactivity (fidgeting, restlessness, constantly on-the-go)
- Talking excessively
- Low frustration tolerance
It’s important to note that other mood disorders, learning disorders, and even autism can mimic or overlap with ADHD symptoms. In order to accurately diagnose ADHD, you and your child’s provider will work together to gather information and create a complete picture of your child’s symptoms and functioning.
When Should I Seek an ADHD Diagnosis for My Child?
Of course, every child has trouble with forgetfulness or impulsivity at times. However, if any of the following criteria are true of their behavior, it’s important to speak with your child’s provider to explore whether or not they may have an undiagnosed disorder:
- The behaviors are inappropriate for your child’s age.
- The behaviors have been present for 6 months or more.
- The behaviors are seen in two or more settings (such as home and school).
- The behaviors interfere with academics or peer/family relationships or activities on a daily basis.
Diagnosing ADHD is a multi-step process with several different tests and evaluations including a medical exam, hearing and vision tests, and a history of your child’s symptoms and behavior. You can speak with your child’s primary care provider about any concerns, or seek help from a specialist such as a child psychologist, psychiatrist, or through your local early intervention agency.
Recent statistics indicate that an ADHD diagnosis is more likely for boys, in part because boys more often exhibit hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disruptive behavior. Inattention is the primary symptom in girls. Many experts believe girls (and women) are under-diagnosed, especially if they’re not failing academically.
How Is ADHD Treated/Managed?
While the approach to treating ADHD differs for every child, it is typically best treated with a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. For younger children, behavior and family therapy may be recommended as the first step, before medication.
Be wary of a health-care provider who hands out a prescription for medication without a thorough investigation into your concerns. While parents are often desperate for aid and answers by the time they seek advice, medication therapy requires close monitoring and is really only one part of the treatment plan. Other important components can include counseling, school modifications, and social skills training.
To effectively manage ADHD throughout your child’s developmental years, it’s important to monitor their symptoms and behavior, and participate in their follow-up care. As always, if you have concerns about your child’s school performance or behavior, seek the advice of your trusted health-care professional.
For more information on parenting a child with ADHD, visit Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).