What Is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Kids living with ADHD present differences in brain activity and brain development that can affect their self-control, attention, and ability to sit still. These differences mean that children living with ADHD have particular strengths and difficulties.
Also, as your child gets older, the characteristics they show might change. For example, your child might still have difficulty remembering things, focusing, and thinking before they act, but they might be less hyperactive.
Some children might no longer have these characteristics as adults, but others will continue to have them into adulthood.
Typically, children with ADHD have difficulties with:
- Paying attention
- Being hyperactive
- Controlling impulses
These difficulties happen almost all the time and have affected their daily lives significantly.
Children with ADHD also have many strengths. They can:
- Be very creative and uniquely think about things.
- Focus on and spend a lot of time learning about and enjoying things they love
- Be adventurous and open to trying new things
- Channel their energy into physical activity and be very successful in it.
What Are the Signs of ADHD?
Usually, kids find it difficult to focus their attention, sit still, listen and follow directions, or wait patiently for their turn. But for kids living with ADHD, these struggles become much more difficult and happen more frequently.
Kids living with ADHD can present these signs in any or all these areas:
1. Inattentive: Kids who become inattentive (very distracted) have trouble concentrating, focusing their attention, and focusing on tasks. They may not listen well to directions, may forget important details, and may not finish what they start. They may dawdle too much or daydream. At times, they may seem forgetful or absent-minded, and lose track of their things.
2. Hyperactive: Hyperactive Kids seem restless, fidgety, and easily bored. They may have trouble staying quiet, or sitting still when required. They may make careless mistakes, or rush through things. They may jump, climb, or roughhouse when they are not supposed to. Without intending to, they may act in ways that disrupt others.
3. Impulsive: Kids who become impulsive act rashly before thinking. They often interrupt, grab or push, and find it hard to wait. They may do things without seeking permission, take things that are not theirs, or act in ways that seem risky. They may have emotional outbursts that seem too intense for the situation.
At times parents and teachers notice the signs of ADHD when a child is very young. But it is normal for little kids to be restless, distracted, impulsive, or impatient — these signs don't always mean that a child has ADHD, but when it continues and begins to cause troubles at home, school, and with friends, it may likely be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
What Causes ADHD?
It's not clear what causes the brain differences of ADHD but there is strong evidence that ADHD is mostly inherited.
Many kids who have ADHD have a parent or relative who has it too. Kids also are more likely to be at risk when they are born prematurely, are exposed to environmental toxins, or their mothers used drugs during pregnancy.
It is not caused by exposure to too much screen time, overeating sugar, or poor parenting.
Diagnosing ADHD: What Professionals Look At?
Kids might be diagnosed with 1 of 3 types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depending on the characteristics present:
1. ADHD combined type: Kids with this type have both hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive characteristics. They tend to be restless, fidgety or have trouble concentrating and are always on the go. They often act without taking the time to think things through.
2. ADHD inattentive type: Kids with this type have inattentive characteristics only. They tend to have trouble concentrating, paying attention, remembering instructions, and finishing tasks.
3. ADHD impulsive/hyperactive type: Kids with this type primarily have impulsive and hyperactive characteristics. They are always on the go, have trouble slowing down, and often act without thinking.
When health professionals are deciding whether a child has ADHD, they’ll look at the following things:
1. Age: The characteristics appeared before age 12.
2. Number of characteristics: The diagnosis depends on how many inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive characteristics a kid has.
3. Duration of characteristics: The characteristics have been present for at least 6 months and can be seen in multiple settings – for example, at home and school.
4. Severity of characteristics: The characteristics are present mostly all the time and significantly affect the kid’s life.
How Is ADHD Treated?
Treatment usually includes:
1. Medications: This activates the brain's ability to pay attention, use more self-control, and slow down.
2. Behavior therapy: Therapists can help kids develop the emotional, social, and planning skills that are lagging with ADHD.
3. Parent coaching: Through coaching, parents learn the best ways to respond to behavioral problems that are part of ADHD.
4. School support: Teachers can help kids living with ADHD do well and enjoy school more.
The right treatment helps them improve. Parents and teachers can teach younger kids to get much better at managing their attention, behavior, and emotions and as they grow older, kids should learn to improve their attention and self-control.
When ADHD is not treated, it becomes difficult for kids to succeed and this can then lead to low self-esteem, depression, school failure, oppositional behavior, risk-taking behavior, or family conflict.
How Can You Help as a Parent?
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD:
1. Be involved intentionally: As a parent, learn everything you can about ADHD and follow strictly the treatment plan your child's health care provider recommends. Attend all recommended therapy visits.
2. Give drugs promptly and safely: If your child is taking ADHD medicine, always give it at the recommended time and dose. Keep all drugs in a safe place and keep them out of reach of children.
3. Work with your child's school: Meet often with the child’s teachers to find out how he/she is doing and work together to help your child do well.
4. Parent with purpose and warmth: Learn what parenting approaches are best for a child with ADHD — and which can make it worse. Talk openly and supportively with your child about ADHD. Pay attention to your child's strengths and positive qualities.
5. Connect with others for support and awareness: Join support groups to get updates on treatment and other information.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can improve when kids get treatment, get enough sleep and exercise, eat healthy food, and have supportive parents who know how to respond to this disease condition.
Dr. Favvy
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Disclaimer
The
information on this blog is just for educational purposes only.
It
should not be used as a replacement for the medical care and advise of your
child’s pediatrician.
Always
consult your pharmacist before giving your child any drug.
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