Signs Your Child Could Have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of mental health disorder that can cause impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. While both adults and children can have this condition, it is more commonly observed in children. This complex neurodevelopmental disorder is known to affect a child’s performance at school and also their relationships. The signs and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder vary from person to person and can be challenging to recognize if you don’t know what to look for. A child may experience some of the individual symptoms of ADHD, but not all. In order to make a diagnosis, your child’s doctor will evaluate your child against various criteria. Here are some of the signs your child could have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of mental health disorder that typically gets diagnosed in childhood.^(1,2,3) The condition causes above-normal levels of impulsive and hyperactive behavior. People with ADHD are known to have trouble focusing their attention on any one task or sitting still for a long period of time. Adults can also have ADHD, but it is usually diagnosed in children more.^(4,5,6) This complex neurodevelopmental disease can impact a child’s performance in school, at home, and even affect their relationships. The symptoms of ADHD vary from person to person and can be challenging to recognize at times. Your child may be experiencing some of the individual symptoms of the condition, but not all. Due to this, to make a confirmed diagnosis, your child’s doctor will evaluate your child against several criteria.^(7,8)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is usually diagnosed in children by the time they become teenagers. The average age of diagnosing moderate attention deficit hyperactivity deficit is around seven years old.⁽⁹⁾

Older children who exhibit the symptoms of ADHD may have the condition, but they are more likely to have shown more elaborate symptoms earlier in life and would have gotten diagnosed at that point.

Here are some of the common signs that can indicate that your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

One of the main symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder shows up in the form of a child interrupting others while they are talking. They may also interrupt conversations they are not a part of or want to part of games they are not a part of.⁽¹⁰⁾

Another common sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children often appears like an inability to recognize other people’s desires and needs. This can again cause two more symptoms – interrupting and having trouble waiting for their own turn.⁽¹¹⁾

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have trouble waiting for their turn to come. This might be during classroom activities or while playing games with others. They may even throw a tantrum if someone does not allow them to get their turn.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are usually unable to sit still. They are more prone to get up, run around, squirm in the chair when made to sit, and generally fidget around.⁽¹²⁾

A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is more likely to have trouble keeping their emotions in check. Younger kids are prone to having temper tantrums. Older children are known to have outbursts of anger, usually at inappropriate times.⁽¹³⁾

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are likely to express interest in many different things, but they are known to have problems finishing the tasks. For example, they may begin their homework, chores, or projects but quickly move on to the next project or activity that catches their interest without finishing the first activity.

Being fidgety makes it difficult for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to play quietly. They also find it challenging to calmly participate in leisure activities that require patience.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have been found to have more trouble paying attention to tasks and even to someone who is speaking directly to them. They may say they have heard what you are saying, but they will not be able to repeat back whatever was just said to them.

The lack of focus may cause a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to avoid doing activities or tasks that require them to put in sustained mental effort. This may include activities like doing their homework or paying attention in class.

It is not necessary that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are always loud and rowdy. Another symptom of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is being quieter than and not as involved as the other kids. A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is also more likely to daydream, stare into space, and ignore what is going on around them.⁽¹⁴⁾

Since children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often have trouble following instructions that need them to plan or execute a plan or follow a set of instructions precisely as they are written, it increases the likelihood of such children making careless mistakes. However, in no way does this imply they are lazy or that they lack intelligence. It is just one of the many symptoms of the condition.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to be forgetful in their daily life. They may forget to do their homework or their chores. They are also more likely to lose things like toys and stationery items more often.⁽¹⁵⁾

A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often has trouble keeping a track of their activities and tasks they need to complete. This can lead to problems at school because they usually find it difficult to prioritize what work has to be done first, finish their homework, school projects, and any other assignments.

A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is going to exhibit symptoms of their condition in more than one setting. For example, it’s not like they will only show the symptoms at home. They will show a lack of focus both at home and at school. The symptoms will be exhibited in different settings.

As children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder grow older, they are unlikely to have the level of self-control as other kids their age. This may make adolescents and kids with this condition appear to be more immature as compared to other children their age who do not have ADHD.

Older children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may continue to have difficulties with day to day tasks like:

• Reading and understanding social cues.
• Focusing their school work and assignments
• Maintaining personal hygiene without being prompted.
• Compromising with their classmates and friends
• Helping out or completing their chores at home
• Managing their time efficiently
• Driving safely.

All children are likely to exhibit some of the behaviors mentioned above at some point or the other in their lives. Daydreaming, interrupting others, and fidgeting are some common behaviors observed in children. However, you should start thinking about getting a doctor’s opinion if you notice the following:

• Your child is frequently displaying the signs and symptoms of ADHD.
• Their behavior has started affecting their daily life and success in school.
• Their behavior is leading to negative interactions with the people in their life, especially their peers.

Remember that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a treatable condition, and the condition can be managed with medications and therapies. If your child is diagnosed with the condition, you should research about all the available treatment options. Set up an appointment to meet with a psychologist or doctor to discuss about the best course of treatment going forward that will help your child adjust and do better in school and at home.

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Also Read:

• 12 Things To Do For Coping With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD Or ADD) Successfully
• 7 Foods That Make ADHD Worse
• Is ADHD a Genetic Disease?
• Herbal Remedies for ADHD
• ADHD Drug Side Effects in Adults
• How ADHD Affects Men/Boys and Women/Girls Differently?
• What is the Link Between Video Games and ADHD?