Does My Kid Have ADHD?
It’s completely normal for kids to have phases of hyperactivity and inattentiveness as they grow and explore the world; however, in some cases, these symptoms are so consistent and disruptive that they may suggest a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The symptoms of this disorder fall into two categories: hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating, and those affected by the condition may experience symptoms in one or both categories. In particular, young girls are more likely to exhibit inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive symptoms, which makes girls less likely than boys to be diagnosed and get the treatment they need to succeed. ADHD/ADD can have significant negative impacts on a child, including struggling in school, difficulty in social situations, and challenges keeping to daily routines like getting to bed on time. Additionally, these symptoms often cause issues for parents as well, as children with ADHD struggle with following instructions, being on time, and paying attention. The following symptoms are common in childhood ADHD/ADD:
Inattentiveness
Making careless mistakes.
Having a short attention span and/or getting distracted easily.
Inability to listen to and carry out instructions.
Inability to complete complicated or time-consuming tasks.
Having difficulty organizing tasks.
Constantly changing activities.
Forgetfulness.
Hyperactivity
Excessive talking and/or physical movement.
Inability to sit still.
Difficulty concentrating on tasks.
Little sense of danger.
Interrupting conversations.
Inability to wait for a turn.
Acting without thinking.
If you recognize these symptoms in your child at home or you’re hearing similar complaints from your child’s teacher, it’s time to get them evaluated for ADHD/ADD. Several professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, and licensed mental health therapists. It’s important to seek quality evaluation since ADHD/ADD shares several symptoms with other conditions like anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, autism spectrum disorder, or simpler issues like sleep problems. A qualified professional will take their time evaluating what condition, if any, your child is living with.
Since some degree of difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity are normal in children, and to ensure accuracy of diagnosis, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder are quite strict. First, your provider may recommend a waiting period to evaluate if the behaviors stay the same, improve, or worsen over a few weeks. They may also recommend a parent training program to help manage child behavior. If these measures don’t help, then your child will be referred for an evaluation. To be diagnosed, a child must:
Have started showing symptoms before age 12.
Display symptoms for more than 6 months.
Display symptoms in at least 2 settings, such as both home and school.
Meet at least 6 symptoms of hyperactivity and/or impulsiveness.
Display symptoms that significantly impair functioning.
The good news is that ADHD/ADD are highly treatable conditions. Your provider will likely recommend a combination of therapy such as Cognitive-Behavior therapy or behavior therapy, parent education training, and stimulant medications. These medications are very effective but are serious medications to dispense to a child, which is part of the reason why your provider will conduct a careful diagnostic evaluation before recommending treatment. If you’re interested in having your child evaluated for ADHD/ADD or if your provider has recommended therapy, know that our experienced therapists here at AWC are ready to help your child grow and succeed.
References
NHS. (2021a, December 24). Diagnosis: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. NHS . https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/diagnosis/
NHS. (2021b, December 24). Symptoms: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. NHS . https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/
