Enjoy the following guest post about signs to look for that your child might have ADHD.
Miguel Juancho “MJ” Fernandez is Communications and Special Projects Department at Makati Medical Center in the Philippines.
Miguel Juancho “MJ” Fernandez is Communications and Special Projects Department at Makati Medical Center in the Philippines.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly misunderstood, especially in children. In fact, some people may incorrectly label children who are too loud, unruly, or misbehaving as having ADHD.
The US Census Bureau estimates that roughly 7.2% of children worldwide have ADHD, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls.
What makes this disorder hard to diagnose is distinguishing its symptoms from typical habit patterns in kids. After all, children are typically loud, active, and have short attention spans. The key is being able to draw the line between the two.
The US Census Bureau estimates that roughly 7.2% of children worldwide have ADHD, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding that boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls.
What makes this disorder hard to diagnose is distinguishing its symptoms from typical habit patterns in kids. After all, children are typically loud, active, and have short attention spans. The key is being able to draw the line between the two.
Like any kind of health concern, knowing which signs to pay attention to can help with early detection and treatment. The following are symptoms that kids with ADHD may exhibit:
1. Lack of focus, especially in “uninteresting” tasks
Children with ADHD can have a laser-sharp focus on things that they like but may have difficulty in focusing on other tasks. This is especially true for ones that do not hold their interest, such as chores.
Due to the lack of focus, they may also tend to avoid tasks that require sustained attention like listening to their teacher or doing homework. In addition, they may start multiple things all at once, but be unable to follow through. This may commonly be misinterpreted as procrastination or laziness on the child’s part.
Due to the lack of focus, they may also tend to avoid tasks that require sustained attention like listening to their teacher or doing homework. In addition, they may start multiple things all at once, but be unable to follow through. This may commonly be misinterpreted as procrastination or laziness on the child’s part.
2. Restlessness and inability to keep quiet
Another sign of ADHD in children is constant fidgeting. This usually manifests in the following ways: squirming in their seats, getting up to run around, and playing loudly. They may also talk too loud and too frequently, leading them to become disruptive in the classroom, at home, or in other types of social situations.
3. Frequent daydreaming
Children with ADHD may exhibit inattentiveness to others and their surroundings. In some cases, the child may not be loud or constantly moving. Instead, they could be quiet and withdrawn from their peers or companions, choosing to space out and daydream for long periods of time.
This could also cause them to be inattentive and distracted from the task or situation at hand.
This could also cause them to be inattentive and distracted from the task or situation at hand.
4. Forgetfulness
Due to the lack of focus, a kid with ADHD may experience frequent forgetfulness. This can range from neglecting to complete specific tasks in a daily routine to losing their belongings. This can also affect their ability to remember and uphold obligations or making and following through on plans.
These children will be able to hear what has been said to them but will experience difficulty repeating it.
These children will be able to hear what has been said to them but will experience difficulty repeating it.
5. Impulsiveness and recklessness
It’s normal for kids to act without thinking. In some instances, children with ADHD will have difficulty processing the consequences of specific actions. They may make inappropriate comments, break classroom rules to move around or talk, blurt out thoughts without thinking, or cross a street without checking their surroundings.
This impulsivity also leads to poorly-controlled emotions, making them prone to throwing tantrums and may even hit others when upset. These behaviors put them and their peers at risk of being hurt.
This impulsivity also leads to poorly-controlled emotions, making them prone to throwing tantrums and may even hit others when upset. These behaviors put them and their peers at risk of being hurt.
6. Self-centered behavior
Another common sign of ADHD in children is the inability to recognize other people’s needs and desires. As a result, they may struggle with waiting for their turn when playing games, either losing interest in the activity or upsetting their playmates. They may also have difficulty with sharing and wanting to grab a toy or item from another child.
In addition to these manifestations, they may also struggle to recognize common social cues. They may be prone to talk over or interrupt others, make careless remarks, or butt into conversations they aren’t a part of. These kinds of behaviors make it difficult for them to make and keep friends.
Aside from knowing the signs and symptoms of ADHD, keeping track of your child’s behavior is crucial for determining if further diagnosis is needed. The difference lies in how frequent these symptoms are present.
Should you suspect that your child is showing signs of ADHD, consult with a trusted developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist. With proper support, treatment, and care, children with ADHD can take steps to manage their behaviors better, cope with the disorder, and lead healthy lives.
In addition to these manifestations, they may also struggle to recognize common social cues. They may be prone to talk over or interrupt others, make careless remarks, or butt into conversations they aren’t a part of. These kinds of behaviors make it difficult for them to make and keep friends.
Aside from knowing the signs and symptoms of ADHD, keeping track of your child’s behavior is crucial for determining if further diagnosis is needed. The difference lies in how frequent these symptoms are present.
Should you suspect that your child is showing signs of ADHD, consult with a trusted developmental pediatrician or child psychiatrist. With proper support, treatment, and care, children with ADHD can take steps to manage their behaviors better, cope with the disorder, and lead healthy lives.
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If you haven’t already read the book, it’s a great place to start - Relationship Reboot: Break free from the bad habits in your relationship.
David B. Younger, Ph.D. is the creator of Love After Kids, for couples that have grown apart since having children. He is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with a web-based private practice and lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, 15-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old toy poodle.
If you haven’t already read the book, it’s a great place to start - Relationship Reboot: Break free from the bad habits in your relationship.
David B. Younger, Ph.D. is the creator of Love After Kids, for couples that have grown apart since having children. He is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with a web-based private practice and lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, 15-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old toy poodle.
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