Recognizing ADHD Symptoms in Children
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is currently the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD in kids has grown. Nearly 10% of children ages 4 to17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, and diagnosis rates have risen sharply in recent years, with the percentage of children with parent-reported ADHD jumping 22% from 2003 to 2007. To make sense of the growing numbers of ADHD in kids, it helps to get a better understanding of the disorder itself and how it manifests in children.
ADHD in kids affects how a child's brain processes and organizes information and manages impulses, which in turn affects his or her behavior. The condition can vary from mild to severe and tends to be more common in boys than in girls. If left untreated, it can make succeeding in school much tougher for a child and traveling the path to responsible young adulthood much rockier. This underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Fortunately, there's a great deal that parents, teachers, family members, and doctors can do to help kids adjust and work around the challenges of having ADHD so they can grow and thrive in school, relationships, and other areas of their lives. Get advice from the RealAge pediatrician on how to help a child grow up and cope better with ADHD.
How to Spot ADHD Symptoms in Children
What does ADHD in kids look like? When gathering information to make a diagnosis, a healthcare provider will look for symptoms that fall into the following three main categories. Keep in mind that it's normal for any young child to display some of these behaviors from time to time, which makes diagnosing ADHD tricky.
Symptom 1: Inattention
What to watch for:
- He has trouble staying focused on a lesson, a show, a story, or a game.
- His interest in activities is short-lived, and he gets bored quickly.
- You have to repeat instructions and reexplain yourself often. He seems to have trouble processing new information.
- He's easily distracted by anything and everything -- even a fly on the wall.
- He has a tendency to lose things, like his jacket, backpack, or lunch box.
- He often makes careless mistakes with school work on things you know he knows.
- You have to hound him to finish homework assignments or chores.
- He has a hard time finishing school assignments and projects that require sustained concentration.
- He seems to be off in his own little world a lot, not tuned in to what's going on.
Symptom 2: Hyperactivity
What to watch for:
- She's fidgety and has trouble sitting still, particularly when trying to read or do focused activities.
- She rarely plays quietly by herself for long.
- She's a constant narrator, always talking.
- She springs into action at inappropriate times or places, such as running in stores and climbing on furniture.
Symptom 3: Impulsivity
What to watch for:
- He has very little patience.
- He doesn't wait his turn when playing with others.
- He interrupts others even though you've instructed him not to.
- He frequently blurts out answers to questions in class instead of raising his hand.
