What If My Child Has ADHD?
Studies suggests that at least one child in each classroom may be suffering from ADHD.
This common disorder affects approximately 7% of school-age kids, and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Since children spend a good deal of their time at school, it is usually the teacher who brings up the possibility of getting a child evaluated for ADHD.
What do you do if you or a teacher suspects that your child is afflicted by this disorder? Observe your child's behavior at home Don't run to the doctor just yet - an ADHD diagnosis is only given if a child experiences the symptoms in at least two settings.
Make a note of the behaviors reported by the teacher and think about the last time your child behaved this way at home.
Is your child aggressive towards siblings? Does he or she never seem to pay attention to what you're saying?Does your child have a habit of constantly losing things? Do these behaviors disrupt your family's dynamics and cause tension? Find possible reasons behind your child's symptoms A neurological disorder isn't the only thing that causes the hallmark symptoms of ADHD.
Have you considered the possibility that an inattentive child might simply be bored by the curriculum? Or the refusal to go to school might actually be due to fear of a bully? Consider your child's other health problems The classic symptoms of ADHD are easy to spot, but were you aware that children with the disorder experience more problems beyond inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity? Studies reveal that children with ADHD are more likely to experience learning disorders, allergies, asthma, depression, and anxiety.
On the surface level, these problems seem to be completely unrelated to one another, but the bodily imbalances that cause ADHD may also be behind the chronic health problems experienced by your child.
Have your child evaluated The only way to be sure about your child's condition is to have him or her evaluated by a doctor.
If you have strong suspicions that you child might have ADHD, see a physician who will run ADHD tests on your child.
The testing procedure should do much more than just check the symptoms from a list; the doctor should also do a physical and mental exam to rule out other disorders.
Other tests should also be done to find out the possible causes behind your child's condition, as this will make it easier to determine the appropriate treatments.
This common disorder affects approximately 7% of school-age kids, and is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Since children spend a good deal of their time at school, it is usually the teacher who brings up the possibility of getting a child evaluated for ADHD.
What do you do if you or a teacher suspects that your child is afflicted by this disorder? Observe your child's behavior at home Don't run to the doctor just yet - an ADHD diagnosis is only given if a child experiences the symptoms in at least two settings.
Make a note of the behaviors reported by the teacher and think about the last time your child behaved this way at home.
Is your child aggressive towards siblings? Does he or she never seem to pay attention to what you're saying?Does your child have a habit of constantly losing things? Do these behaviors disrupt your family's dynamics and cause tension? Find possible reasons behind your child's symptoms A neurological disorder isn't the only thing that causes the hallmark symptoms of ADHD.
Have you considered the possibility that an inattentive child might simply be bored by the curriculum? Or the refusal to go to school might actually be due to fear of a bully? Consider your child's other health problems The classic symptoms of ADHD are easy to spot, but were you aware that children with the disorder experience more problems beyond inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity? Studies reveal that children with ADHD are more likely to experience learning disorders, allergies, asthma, depression, and anxiety.
On the surface level, these problems seem to be completely unrelated to one another, but the bodily imbalances that cause ADHD may also be behind the chronic health problems experienced by your child.
Have your child evaluated The only way to be sure about your child's condition is to have him or her evaluated by a doctor.
If you have strong suspicions that you child might have ADHD, see a physician who will run ADHD tests on your child.
The testing procedure should do much more than just check the symptoms from a list; the doctor should also do a physical and mental exam to rule out other disorders.
Other tests should also be done to find out the possible causes behind your child's condition, as this will make it easier to determine the appropriate treatments.