newsprompt.coADHD INFORMATION
Children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in specific ways. These children:
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Are in constant motion
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Squirm and fidget
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Do not seem to listen
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Have trouble playing quietly
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Often talk excessively
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Interrupt or intrude on others
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Are easily distracted
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Do not finish tasks
| Myths & Facts about Attention Deficit Disorder |
| Myth: All kids with ADHD are hyperactive.
Fact: Some children with ADHD are hyperactive, but many others with attention problems are not. Children with ADHD who are inattentive, but not overly active, may appear to be spacey and unmotivated. |
| Myth: Kids with ADHD can never pay attention.
Fact: Children with ADHD are often able to concentrate on activities they enjoy. But no matter how hard they try, they have trouble maintaining focus when the task at hand is boring or repetitive. |
| Myth: Kids with ADHD could behave better if they wanted to.
Fact: Children with ADHD may do their best to be good, but still be unable to sit still, stay quiet, or pay attention. They may appear disobedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re acting out on purpose. |
| Myth: Kids will eventually grow out of ADHD.
Fact: ADHD often continues into adulthood, so don’t wait for your child to outgrow the problem. Treatment can help your child learn to manage and minimize the symptoms. |
How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
Though your child may have some symptoms that seem like ADHD, it might be something else. That’s why you need a therapist to check it out.
There is no specific or definitive test for ADHD. Instead, diagnosing is a process that takes several steps and involves gathering a lot of information from multiple sources. You, your child, your child’s school, and other caregivers should be involved in assessing your child’s behavior. A therapist will also ask what symptoms your child has, how long ago those symptoms started, and how the behavior affects your child and the rest of your family. Therapists diagnose ADHD in children after a child has shown six or more specific symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity on a regular basis for more than 6 months in at least two settings. The therapist will consider how a child’s behavior compares with that of other children the same age.
It is very difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than 5. That’s because many preschool children have some of the symptoms seen in ADHD in various situations. Also, children change very rapidly during the preschool years.
In some cases, behavior that looks like ADHD might be caused instead by:
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A sudden life change (such as divorce, a death in the family, or moving)
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Undetected seizures
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disorders affecting brain function
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Bipolar disorder
3 Types of ADHD in Children
Therapist may classify symptoms as the following types of ADHD:
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Combined type (inattentive/hyperactive/impulsive). Children with this type of ADHD show all three symptoms. This is the most common form of ADHD.
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Hyperactive/impulsive type. Children show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but for the most part, they are able to pay attention.
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Inattentive type. Formerly called attention deficit disorder (ADD). These children are not overly active. They do not disrupt the classroom or other activities, so their symptoms might not be noticed.
ADHD Treatment Overview
Treatment plans may include special education programs, psychological intervention, and treatment. Learn as much as you can about the options and talk them over with your child’s health care provider so you can make the best plan for your child.
Studies show that long-term treatment with a combination of treatments and behavioral therapy is much better than just over the counter treatment, or no specific treatments in managing hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Those kids treated with both ADHD treatments and therapy also had better social skills.
Behavioral Treatments for Children With ADHD
Behavioral treatment for children with ADHD includes creating more structure, encouraging routines, and clearly stating expectations of the child.
Other forms of ADHD treatment that may benefit your child include:
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Social skills training. This can help a child with ADHD learn behaviors that will help them develop and maintain social relationships.
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Support groups and parenting skills training. This includes support for the parents and helping them learn more about ADHD and how to parent a child who has ADHD.
What Treatment Is Best for My Child?
No single treatment is the answer for every child with ADHD. Each child’s needs and personal history must be carefully considered.
For example, a child may have undesirable side effects to a treatment, making a particular treatment unacceptable. If a child with ADHD also has anxiety or depression, a treatment combining treatments and behavioral therapy might be best.
It’s important to work with a therapist to find the best solution for your child.
The ADHD Coach
Coaching is a relatively new field in the treatment of ADHD in children. ADHD coaches are meant to help children achieve better results in different areas of their lives by setting goals and helping the child find ways to reach them. A child, however, must be mature and motivated enough to work with a coach.
