Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD
It’s normal for children to occasionally forget
their homework, daydream during class, act
without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner
table. But inattention, impulsivity, and
hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit
disorder (ADD/ADHD), which can affect your
child’s ability to learn and get along with others.
The first step to addressing the problem is to
recognize the signs and symptoms.
What is ADD / ADHD?
We all know kids who can’t sit still, who never
seem to listen, who don’t follow instructions no
matter how clearly you present them, or who
blurt out inappropriate comments at
inappropriate times. Sometimes these children
are labeled as troublemakers, or criticized for
being lazy and undisciplined. However, they may
have ADD/ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
is a disorder that appears in early childhood. You
may know it by the name attention deficit
disorder, or ADD. ADD/ADHD makes it difficult
for people to inhibit their spontaneous responses
—responses that can involve everything from
movement to speech to attentiveness.
Is it normal kid behavior or is it ADHD?
The signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD typically
appear before the age of seven. However, it can
be difficult to distinguish between attention
deficit disorder and normal “kid behavior.”
If you spot just a few signs, or the symptoms
appear only in some situations, it’s probably not
ADD/ADHD. On the other hand, if your child
shows a number of ADD/ADHD signs and
symptoms that are present across all situations
—at home, at school, and at play—it’s time to
take a closer look.
Once you understand the issues your child is
struggling with, such as forgetfulness or
difficulty paying attention in school, you can
work together to find creative solutions and
capitalize on strengths.
There are three types of ADHD:
(1)Hyperactive-impulsive
(2)Inattentive
(3)A combination of both
Symptoms of ADHD
(1)Hyperactivity — Hyperactive behavior is defined as
excessive fidgetiness or talking, difficulty
remaining seated when required to do so,
difficulty playing quietly, and frequent
restlessness or always seeming to be "on the go".
These symptoms are usually seen by the time a
child is four years old and typically increase over
the next three to four years. The symptoms may
peak in severity when the child is seven to eight
years of age, after which they often begin to
decline. By the adolescent years, the hyperactive
symptoms may be less noticeable, although ADHD
can continue to be present.
(2)Impulsivity — Impulsive behavior almost always
occurs with hyperactivity in younger children. It
can cause difficulty waiting turns, blurting out
answers too quickly, disruptive classroom behavior,
intruding or interrupting others' activities,
rejection by classmates, and unintentional injury.
Similar to the hyperactive symptoms, impulsive
symptoms are typically seen by the time a child is
four years old and increase during the next three
to four years to peak in severity when the child is
seven to eight years of age. However, impulsive
symptoms usually continue to be a problem
throughout the life of the individual.
(3)Inattention — Inattention may take many forms,
including forgetfulness, being easily distracted,
losing or misplacing things, disorganization,
underachievement in school, poor follow-through
with assignments or tasks, poor concentration, and
poor attention to detail.
Because of the developmental demands on a child
(eg, needing to pay attention, sit still), these
problems may become more obvious in school when
the child is eight to nine years old, although the
child may have symptoms at a younger age when at
home. Inattention is most likely to persist through
adolescence and potentially into adulthood.
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION — Your child's
healthcare provider is the best source of
information for questions and concerns related to
your child's medical problem.
References
www.uptodate.com
Helpguide.org
www.m.webmd.com
