Warning Signs Your Child Might Have ADHD
All children can have trouble paying attention or become fidgety or impulsive from time to time. But, how can you tell whether your child’s behavior is normal or if they might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we’ll take a look at the warning signs your child might have ADHD and what your next steps should be.
What Are the Symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD is complex; you cannot merely check off a number of symptoms from a list and feel confident in an ADHD diagnosis. The truth is, at one point or another, every child showcases an ADHD symptom. You may pick up on it and think there’s something wrong. In reality, they may simply be exhibiting normal behaviors for a child their age.
Those behaviors are outlined in the Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and are categorized into three groups: inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and combined type. Within these classifications are nine symptoms associated with ADHD.
Inattention
Whether it’s with their parents at home or teachers at school, children with ADHD may find it hard to pay attention, interfering with their ability to listen, learn, and think. A child with ADHD may have a hard time:
Paying attention to details or avoiding careless mistakes
Focusing on tasks or at play
Listening when spoken to directly
Following through on homework, chores, or instructions
Organizing tasks or activities
Finishing tasks that require mental effort over a prolonged period
Keeping track of items such as school supplies or their glasses
Not becoming easily distracted
Remembering things in daily activities
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
An excitable, high-energy child who acts on seemingly every impulse may fall on the hyperactivity and impulsivity end of ADHD. These behaviors can be markedly more disruptive, especially in learning environments. Your child may:
Fidget, squirm, or tap their hands or feet
Get out of their seat when they should be seated, such as in school or church
Run and climb in inappropriate places
Not play or take part in leisure activities quietly
Have difficulty waiting their turn
Talk excessively
Have a high motor; always seem like they’re “on the go”
Interrupt others’ conversations or games
Give answers before questions are entirely asked
Combined Type
ADHD, Combined Type is present when criteria are met for both of the above sections, inattention as well as hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Now, you may glance at these lists and think of your child. While in the wrong settings, a lot of these behaviors are inappropriate — maybe even embarrassing — they could be entirely normal for your child’s age. In fact, many parents begin worrying about ADHD in toddlers. However, these symptoms may be normal for kids at that developmental stage. Therefore, it is worth seeking professional advising regarding these concerns to help determine whether intervention is necessary.
To confirm an ADHD diagnosis, six or more of these symptoms have to be identified in a child that's 4-17 years old. For a child that’s 17 or older, five or more of these symptoms must be identified. Symptoms must begin before the child turns 12 and must have continued for over six months. Additionally, symptoms must occur in two or more settings — such as school, at home, or other social situations — and cause impairment, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
When Should I Seek Professional Help for My Child With ADHD?
One of the first things parents should be looking for is functional impairment, which means interference in daily functioning in a critical area of the child’s life. This should directly relate to problems with inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. After reviewing the list of ADHD symptoms, parents should ask the following crucial questions:
Does my child have trouble with this on a bigger scale than would be expected from another child their age?
Do their behaviors get in the way of important daily tasks and activities?
If you identify concerns related to symptoms that are increasing or persisting, it’s recommended you consult with a professional so they can assess further. A comprehensive evaluation may also provide guidance related to academic supports, mental health supports as well as pharmacotherapy.
An accurate diagnosis of ADHD requires a comprehensive approach to an assessment conducted by mental health professionals — like the ones at FLOAAT Center. For more information about ADHD testing in Gainesville, FL, reach out to our highly-trained team today.
