Does Your Child Suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Discover effective strategies and support for managing ADHD in your child. Our expert resources provide insights, tips, and guidance to help your child thrive.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a chronic neurological condition or disorder that affects children and often continues into adulthood. The condition is marked by prolonged problems such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD may also experience low self-esteem, poor performance in school, and complicated relationships.

ADHD occurs more often in girls than boys, and behavior differs based on gender (male or female). For instance, females may tend to be quiet and inattentive while males can be hyperactive and impulsive.

ADHD is typically noticed or diagnosed early, from 3 to 12 years, and often continues to adulthood. However, in some children, sometimes the symptoms reduce as the child grows into adulthood, while others never outgrow the symptoms — they may become mild, moderate or severe.

Although ADHD seems to be a challenging condition to deal with, various treatments and strategies can treat or help you manage your child’s situation.

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

It is normal for a healthy child to be inattentive or stay attentive for a short period.

It’s also typical for healthy kids to be hyperactive or impulsive at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not outgrow these behaviors; instead, the behavior becomes persistent, and they may become severe.

ADHD manifests itself in three ways, depending on which sign is the strongest in a person. They Include:

Predominantly Inattention Presentation

Lack of attention is the primary symptom at this stage. Other signs that accompany inattention include:

• Difficulty staying on a task or play
• Trouble staying organized or organizing things around them
• Difficulty following instructions, which leads to failure in finishing schoolwork or chores
• Difficulty paying close attention to details and
• Making careless mistakes that lead to poor performance at school
• not listening even when spoken to directly
• Being forgetful in doing daily activities such as chores and schoolwork
• Being easily distracted
• Lose items necessary for tasks, such as pencils, toys, books, keys, or paperwork.
• Avoids or hates tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as homework

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Presentation

The common symptoms here are hyperactive and impulsive — a child seems to move about and constantly talk, even when inappropriate. A person or a child with hyperactivity and impulsivity may mostly have the following symptoms:

• Fidget or squirm in the seat
• talking a lot
• Constantly in motion, difficulty in waiting for their turn
• Difficulty staying seated in the classroom or meeting when expected
• Run around, jump, or constantly climb when it is inappropriate. Teens, teenagers, or adults feel restless instead of running around.
• Interrupt or intrude on other people’s conversations, activities, or games.
• Difficulty doing a task or playing quietly.

Combined Presentation

This is a combination of inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive symptoms.

ADHD symptoms may change over a while as the child grows. A 3-year-old child with ADHD may have hyperactivity and impulsivity as the predominant symptom. As they reach 7 years’ inattention symptoms may become predominant, causing the child to perform poorly academically.

In adolescence, hyperactivity may diminish, and restlessness and fidgeting may become more prominent. However, inattention and impulsivity may persist.

Causes of ADHD

The causes of ADHD are unknown; however, researchers are still trying to find out the causes. Like any other disorder, scientist suggests, ADHD may probably result from the following factors:

• Genetics — Where blood relatives such as parents and siblings have ADHD
• Exposure to environmental chemicals such as lead and phthalates during pregnancy or at a younger age
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy

Although too much sugar consumption, poor parenting, watching television, nutrition, and social and environmental factors such as family chaos are suspected of causing ADHD, researchers have yet to prove it.

ADHD Diagnosis

There is no specific diagnosis for ADHD. However, a care provider or a mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist can thoroughly evaluate the symptoms to diagnose ADHD.

The diagnosis involves a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests. This is to rule out other disorders that have similar symptoms as ADHD, such as depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental illness.

Diagnosis also includes a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history from those close to the child, including teachers, parents, and the child.

For an individual to receive the diagnosis, the symptoms must be chronic and prolonged, affecting one’s functioning and making them lag behind their age-related development.

ADHD Treatment

While ADHD cannot be cured, it can be treated with behavior therapy and medication. For children with ADHD aged 4 to 5 years’ behavioral therapy is recommended as the first treatment before mediation.

There are various medications for ADHD. One has to try different medications and dosages to find the right one. The patient taking the medication needs to be closely monitored, do follow-ups, and make changes, if needed, along the way.

The most common medication for ADHD is stimulants. It boosts the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which are crucial for cognition and focus.

Non-stimulant medication is also used. However, these drugs take longer to start functioning than stimulants, but they also help improve the attention, concentration, and impulsivity of an ADHD patient.

Psychiatrists might recommend a non-stimulant when a patient has severe stimulant side effects, when a stimulant proved ineffective, or in combination with a stimulant to boost effectiveness.

Antidepressant medicine is also used alone or with stimulants to help treat ADHD symptoms. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve these drugs to treat these disorders.

Doctors may recommend antidepressants to the patient if the patient is experiencing severe side effects from stimulants. Or, recommend antidepressants in combination with stimulants if a patient also has another condition, such as an anxiety disorder, depression, or mood disorder.

Ways to Help a Child Deal with ADHD Symptoms

To help a child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder manage its symptoms, you require a comprehensive approach that involves understanding their needs, providing structure, and implementing strategies to control their behavior. Here are some ways to support a child with ADHD:

Educate yourself by learning about ADHD, its symptoms, and how it affects children. This will help you understand their challenges, helping you develop empathy and devise appropriate strategies.

Establish routines by creating a structured environment with predictable routines. For instance, consistent schedules for waking up, eating meals, doing homework, and going to bed can help the child feel more organized and reduce anxiety.

Break tasks into smaller steps: Children with ADHD have difficulty focusing for a long time; therefore, large tasks can overwhelm them. Break them into smaller, manageable steps, and provide clear instructions and expectations.

Use visual aids: Visual cues like charts, calendars, and checklists can help the child stay organized and remember important tasks. Visual schedules can provide a visual representation of their daily routine.

Provide a quiet and organized workspace: Minimize distractions in the child’s study area by creating a quiet and clutter-free environment. Use dividers or noise-cancelling headphones if necessary.

Encourage physical activity: Regular exercise and physical activity can help reduce hyperactivity and improve focus. Encourage activities like sports, dancing, or martial arts to channel their energy positively.

Teach relaxation techniques: Teach the child calming strategies, such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques can help them manage stress, anxiety, and impulsivity.

Use positive reinforcement: Reward and praise the child for their efforts and achievements. Positive reinforcement can help motivate them and boost their self-esteem. Focus on their strengths and acknowledge progress.

Collaborate with teachers: Communicate with the child’s teachers to create a consistent approach across different environments. Share information about effective strategies and accommodations that work well for the child.

Seek professional help: Consult with a healthcare professional or a specialist experienced in ADHD to develop an individualized treatment plan. They can provide guidance, recommend appropriate interventions, and discuss the possibility of medication if necessary.

Ways to Prevent ADHD in A Child

Unfortunately, there is no sure way to prevent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity as the exact causes are not fully understood. However, some strategies may reduce the risk of developing ADHD or lessen its severity. Here are some suggestions:

Healthy lifestyle — Let the child have a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep. It may help reduce the risk of developing ADHD or its severity.

Avoid alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy: Drinking alcohol or smoking during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of ADHD in children.

Avoid exposure to environmental toxins — Toxins such as lead and pesticides have been linked to an increased risk of ADHD. Take measures to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially during pregnancy and early childhood.

Early intervention — Early intervention for children with ADHD can improve outcomes. Seek professional help if you notice signs of ADHD in your child, such as difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Conclusion

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults, challenging them with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity difficulties.

While we may not have all the answers or a foolproof way to prevent ADHD, there is hope in our ability to understand, support, and empower those affected.

By educating ourselves and others about ADHD, we can break down stigmas and foster a more inclusive and compassionate society. Let us strive to create environments that embrace the unique strengths and abilities of individuals with ADHD, providing the necessary accommodations and support they need to thrive.