How to Recognize Signs of ADHD in Children

If you notice that your child has trouble focusing on a particular task and is often overtaken by impulses and whatever he or she feels like doing, often without a thought of what the results of actions will be, or if he or she is unusually busy and active and even hyper-focused at times, then this article is highly relevant to you.

Did you nod in agreement with any of these descriptions when applied to your child or even identify with them for yourself or your spouse? Understanding more about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children will help as you parent and guide your child as they grow up under your care.

ADHD in children is found to be one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders for their stage in life. And it often remains in adulthood.

Signs of ADHD in Children

Finding it difficult to prioritize one task over another or behave in a particular way when required is perfectly normal. What is unusual is when children do not grow out of these difficulties and the symptoms start to affect their ability to enjoy learning at school, their relationships at home, and with their friends.

Typical traits of ADHD in children who have trouble concentrating and are inattentive:

• Find it difficult to organize tasks.
• Are hyperactive and impulsive.
• Are easily distracted with a super-short attention span.
• Act like they are unable to listen or fulfill an instruction.
• Their mistakes are caused mostly by carelessness.
• Constantly move to a different activity or task without completing what they started.
• Often lose items or being absentminded and forgetful.
• Procrastinate boring tasks which take a long time to complete.
• Children who are hyperactive and impulsive are identified by:.
• Regularly interrupting conversations.
• Talking incessantly.
• Not being able to focus on one task at a time.
• Finding it difficult to sit still in a quiet or calm environment.
• Fidgeting and squirming.
• Not being able to wait for his or her turn.
• Acting before thinking.
• Experiencing little or no sense of danger.
• Struggling to play nicely with others.

Types of ADHD in Children

Each child is a unique person, and if he or she has ADHD it will show up in a variety of ways influenced by his or her personality and upbringing. However, it is known that there are three distinct ways that ADHD presents itself.

The disorders are typically described by the level of difficulty in regulating attention and behavior, the symptoms are put into two classes: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Children with ADHD mostly characterized by Inattentive Presentation find it difficult to organize and finish something they have started, they often lose needed materials, find it difficult to follow instructions or the topic of conversation, and remember the details of often-repeated routines.

ADHD characterized by Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation is seen when the child talks, fidgets, and squirms almost all the time. The child finds sitting still to complete school homework or a family meal difficult. If the child is small, his or her running, jumping and climbing are noticed.

The restlessness and impulsivity they feel are expressed by interrupting others, taking things from others without asking, and speaking out of turn. Even when the child is willing, he or she finds it difficult to wait his or her turn or listen to instructions, such as the rules of a fun game. The impulsive child often has more accidents and injuries than others.

Causes of ADHD in Children

As with many disorders, the precise cause of ADHD is not completely understood by medical science, and it is currently thought that several factors coming together may be responsible.

Inherited family genes

Studies show that ADHD is likely to run in families. In many cases, it is expected that the genes you inherit from your parents present a significant factor in whether or not the condition develops. For this reason, as a parent of a child with ADHD, it is worthwhile looking at how you may be affected by ADHD as knowing more about it will give you the freedom to make informed decisions.

Someone with parents and siblings with ADHD is more likely to have ADHD themselves. Keep in mind that science has not fully explained how ADHD is inherited. It is thought at the moment not to be related to a single genetic fault.

Brain structure

There are various possible differences between the brains of people who suffer from ADHD and those who do not. Studies supporting this view show that, through brain scans, particular areas of the brain may be smaller in those people with ADHD, while other areas may be larger.

The significance that these differences make to ADHD is still not clear. Various other studies suggest that an imbalance of neurotransmitters may influence the likelihood of someone having ADHD.

Risk factors

Research has also led medical professionals to conclude that if a child was born before the 37th week of pregnancy, or with a birth weight seen as low; or if they have epilepsy; or if they have brain damage – either while in the womb or through brain injury.

Being exposed to environmental risks like lead during pregnancy or at a young age or through digesting alcohol and tobacco while in the womb may also increase the risk of ADHD.

The commonly held view that ADHD is caused by the following items is not verified by studies, although sometimes they have been found to make existing cases of ADHD worse.

• A diet of too much sugar.
• Too much time watching television.
• Certain parenting styles.
• Family disorganization.

Diagnosing ADHD in Kids

More than one process is followed when determining whether a child has ADHD. Caution is required because many other issues such as certain types of learning disabilities, sleeping problems, depression, anxiety, and others display in a similar way to ADHD.

The processes will likely include a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to exclude other problems with symptoms like ADHD, as well as taking a history of the child from various people in their lives like parents, teachers, and sometimes the child themselves.

Treating ADHD in Children

A combination of behavior therapy and medication is thought to most effectively treat ADHD. When it comes to treating ADHD in children ages 3-12 years old specifically, research studies regarding Child-Centered Play Therapy consistently demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in ADHD symptoms among other symptoms and diagnoses.

When a young child is diagnosed, it is helpful for parents to receive training as the first line of treatment before medication is used. Child-Parent Relationship Therapy provides helpful tools for parents to add to their tool belts. Remember that what is most effective is what works best for the child and the family. Keeping a close eye on the child, medical follow-ups, and making any changes as time passes are all types of good treatment plans.

Managing Symptoms of ADHD

Health is especially important for children with ADHD, and in addition to behavioral therapy or Child-Centered Play Therapy and any medication, it is recognized that a healthy lifestyle makes it easier for your child to effectively deal with their symptoms of ADHD.

Typical helpful healthy habits will include consistently sleeping the age-appropriate amount of time each night; limiting the time spent each day in front of TVs, computers, phones, and any other devices; taking part in appropriate physical activities each day, and; developing healthy eating habits such as regularly eating healthy portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Adult ADHD

When your child does not grow out of ADHD, or if you recognize the symptoms in yourself, remember that ADHD in adults presents differently than in children. For example, the hyperactivity discussed may appear as extreme restlessness. As the stress of adulthood increases, so can the symptoms related to ADHD.

Finding Support

If you’re looking for additional help with ADHD in children in understanding, diagnosing, or creating a treatment plan, you can contact our office to schedule an appointment with me. I would be honored to walk with you on this journey and explore what options could be a good fit for your child and family.