Understanding ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder which means that the shape and development of the nervous system are not atypical or have been disrupted in some way that gives rise to the development of ADHD in children. This is a condition that starts in infancy and can progress into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by a child’s inability to pay attention, sit still, or control impulses.

Symptoms of ADHD.

It is safe to say that most young children display an inability to sit still, pay attention, or control their impulses, and this is to be expected. However, for children suffering from ADHD, these symptoms appear to happen more often, are harder to deal with, and do not end by the time a child is expected to have grown out of them.

The symptoms can be divided into three categories, namely impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness. Below are some things to look out for.

Impulsivity.

Risky conduct.

They are more prone to engaging in risky behavior as they do not stop to consider the consequences of their actions. In children, this means that they can get hurt a lot and put themselves in harm’s way.

Impatience.

When one has ADHD, they find it difficult to wait their turn or stand in line. While they attempt to wait, they may become disruptive, fidgety, and sometimes cut in front of everyone and ask to be served.

No regard for consequences.

Acting without thinking is one of the symptoms of ADHD. They have no regard for consequences hence their actions can sometimes be baffling to others and can often seem inconsiderate, rude, or inappropriate.

Poor emotional control.

When one has ADHD, they have difficulty controlling their emotions and can hence have intense emotional reactions that are not proportional to the situation at hand.

No respect for boundaries.

We are all governed by how we behave toward others and how not to infringe on other people’s spaces or their boundaries. With ADHD it can be difficult to know what those boundaries are and hence they can act or take things without asking for permission.

Interrupting others.

When in conversation, those with ADHD can come across as rude as they interrupt others often as they struggle to wait their turn to speak. In a class setting, they can just blurt out answers, even when another student is in the middle of answering.

Hyperactivity.

Rough-housing.

Rough-housing describes the playful activities that children engage in that have some form of a physical component to them. This can be tumbling, wrestling, or any other physical activity. Within the bounds of consent, boundaries, and safety, this can be beneficial to children. However, those struggling with ADHD may not always know where to draw the line in terms of what’s appropriate and safe.

Restlessness.

Feeling the need to move around, stand up, or go somewhere else when in situations that require them to sit still. They are fidgety.

Easily bored.

They need a constant change of stimulation, or they get bored easily. This also contributes to them not finishing what they start as they lose interest along the way.

Always on the go.

There seems to be a sense of urgency in what they do, needing to go on to the next thing or rush out.

Constant running and climbing.

This is when children find themselves running or climbing almost all the time. For other children, there are places and times for both those activities, but for kids struggling with ADHD, they constantly climb and run, sometimes at inappropriate times and spaces.

Excessive talking.

Far beyond what’s required for normal conversation, those with ADHD want to be the ones talking all the time and have everyone listen to them. They do not wait their turn to contribute and hence struggle with listening to others.

Rush through work.

When they are given a task to do, they do not take their time or plan how they will do the said task. They rush through their work, leaving them prone to making mistakes or doing untidy work.

Multiple injuries.

A sure sign of hyperactivity in children is sometimes the number of scars and injuries they suffer. Their need to be constantly on the move renders them vulnerable to hurting themselves and or others.

Inattentiveness.

Daydreaming.

Children with ADHD find themselves daydreaming a lot. They are seemingly removed from whatever is currently happening and go into their world.

Forgetfulness. Forgetfulness can be characterized by not remembering appointments, deadlines, or important daily activities. It can also be characterized by losing things easily and forgetting where one placed their valuables.

Avoidance of mentally challenging tasks.

Anything that requires them to sit still, concentrate, and work through is challenging. Homework and certain schoolwork can fall into this category which means that their grades are affected.

Short attention span.

Focusing on an activity for prolonged periods is difficult. They might be interested initially but soon lose interest and start looking for something else to give their attention to.

Constantly making mistakes.

Since they were not able to pay attention to instructions, to begin with, their work is often characterized by lots of mistakes or missing information.

Frequent shifts in attention.

It does not take much stimuli to get them distracted. Those struggling with ADHD are prone to.

No follow-through.

Tasks, chores, or work often stay unfinished as they do not have a sense of follow-through or the importance of finishing their work. This means it is hard to rely on them, especially in activities that require teamwork.

ADHD diagnosis.

As mentioned earlier, most of the symptoms that children with ADHD exhibit are seemingly normal as that’s what all children do. However, if the symptoms persist and are making your child’s life hard, it might be time to seek the help of a healthcare professional qualified and has the expertise to diagnose if your child does indeed have ADHD. The following healthcare and mental health professionals have the expertise and experience to diagnose.

• Child psychologists.
• Clinical psychologists.
• Child psychiatrists.
• Neurologists.
• Licensed clinical social workers.

There are three types of diagnosis for ADHD:

Predominantly Hyperactive.

These are children whose symptoms are typified by those of hyperactivity.

Predominantly Inattentiveness.

Predominantly inattentive diagnosis means that their symptoms are characterized by the inability to pay attention.

Combined Presentations.

Those with combined presentations will have both symptoms of hyperactivity and inattentiveness almost equally distributed.

Since ADHD symptoms can resemble those of other child developmental disorders, the assessment and diagnosis have to be thorough. It usually is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional endeavor.

For starters, to get a clearer picture of a child’s behavior and symptoms, parents, caregivers, teachers, and social workers will be interviewed to get a rounded view. Depending on the child’s age, they too will be interviewed and have their behavior observed.

The diagnostic criteria used are found in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual which clearly outlines symptoms that need to have been observed in the child for at least six months. These symptoms also need to have developed before the age of twelve for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD. It is important to note that parents and teachers cannot diagnose a child with ADHD. It is a complex condition that needs expert interpretation and assessment.

Treatment.

After a diagnosis has been made, there are many options available to parents and caregivers to consider. With the help of healthcare professionals, the following treatment methods are available for children suffering from ADHD :

• Medication.
• Behavioral therapy.
• Group counseling.
• Parent support groups and coaching.
• Educational support and training.
• Lifestyle changes.

Depending on the child’s symptoms, the healthcare professional will advise on which treatment method, or a combination of methods would work best.

We are here to help.

If you suspect that your child might have ADHD, it is important to get an accurate evaluation and diagnosis. This will help in knowing how to help your child’s developmental journey, whether or not they have ADHD. We are here to answer any questions you might have and start this journey with you, your child, and your family. Get in touch with our offices for a booking.