What Is ADHD?
What Is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood behavioral disorder characterized by significant difficulties either of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Studies have shown that ADHD affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children.
ADHD is diagnosed three to four times more commonly in boys than in girls. ADHD impacts school-aged children and results in restlessness, acting impulsively, and lack of focus which may impair school performance.
ADHD is one of the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. Its symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often mistaken for "normal" kid behavior.
While it is true all kids (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they're anxious, tired, or excited, but the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time (6 months or longer)and occur in different settings. They impair a child's ability to function socially, academically, and at home.
Treatments for ADHD is a combination of medications, behavior therapy, lifestyle changes, and counseling.
If the child has severe symptoms then medications are the first line of treating a child that has ADHD.
Signs And Symptoms Of ADHD
Inattention, hyper-activity, disruptive behavior, and impulsivity are common in ADHD. Children who who have ADHD often have frequent difficulties in school. ADHD can be difficult to differentiate between "normal" kid behavior. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be observed in the child at home and at school for at least 6 months or longer, and be causing significant issues. Listed below are common symptoms seen in children that have ADHD.
Easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
Have difficulty maintaining focus on one task.
Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless doing something enjoyable.
Has difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new or trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities.
Doesn't seem to be listening when spoken to
Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
Has difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
Struggle with following instructions.
Fidgets and squirms in their seats
Talking non stop
Run around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
Has trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
Are constantly in motion
Has difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities
They are very impatient
Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
Blurts out comments better left unsaid (not always inappropriate)
Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
ADHD is diagnosed is usually diagnosed by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. They will ask you as well as your child's school (if they are school aged) to fill out a questionaire about all the symptoms that are being seen in your child, and how long this has been going on for.
If you are not sure where to find a Doctor to take your child too, ask your child's pediatrician if they have someone to recommend to you, or talk to your child's school, and they can help point you in the right direction
Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood behavioral disorder characterized by significant difficulties either of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Studies have shown that ADHD affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children.
ADHD is diagnosed three to four times more commonly in boys than in girls. ADHD impacts school-aged children and results in restlessness, acting impulsively, and lack of focus which may impair school performance.
ADHD is one of the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children. Its symptoms can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often mistaken for "normal" kid behavior.
While it is true all kids (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they're anxious, tired, or excited, but the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time (6 months or longer)and occur in different settings. They impair a child's ability to function socially, academically, and at home.
Treatments for ADHD is a combination of medications, behavior therapy, lifestyle changes, and counseling.
If the child has severe symptoms then medications are the first line of treating a child that has ADHD.
Signs And Symptoms Of ADHD
Inattention, hyper-activity, disruptive behavior, and impulsivity are common in ADHD. Children who who have ADHD often have frequent difficulties in school. ADHD can be difficult to differentiate between "normal" kid behavior. To be diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must be observed in the child at home and at school for at least 6 months or longer, and be causing significant issues. Listed below are common symptoms seen in children that have ADHD.
Easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
Have difficulty maintaining focus on one task.
Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless doing something enjoyable.
Has difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new or trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities.
Doesn't seem to be listening when spoken to
Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
Has difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
Struggle with following instructions.
Fidgets and squirms in their seats
Talking non stop
Run around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
Has trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
Are constantly in motion
Has difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities
They are very impatient
Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
Blurts out comments better left unsaid (not always inappropriate)
Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
ADHD is diagnosed is usually diagnosed by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. They will ask you as well as your child's school (if they are school aged) to fill out a questionaire about all the symptoms that are being seen in your child, and how long this has been going on for.
If you are not sure where to find a Doctor to take your child too, ask your child's pediatrician if they have someone to recommend to you, or talk to your child's school, and they can help point you in the right direction