ADHD Symptoms

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a complex medical disorder with varied symptoms. A person with ADHD mainly faces neurodevelopmental issues. Your child may have ADHD if they display impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and attention problems.

Know the common ADHD symptoms and treatment options for your child. Early medical intervention can get your child the right help so that they can lead a normal and productive life.

What causes ADHD?

The exact causes of ADHD remain unknown. Medical professionals have different opinions on the topic. However, studies have shown a number of suspected causes.

The following may possibly be the cause of ADHD in your child:

-Neurological brain differences
-Premature birth (before the 37th week of Pregnancy)
-Abnormally low birth weight
-Drug abuse, smoking, or alcohol intake during pregnancy

Studies also show genetic associations of ADHD. You can see ADHD trends passed down from generation to generation.

Major ADHD symptoms in children

Child ADHD symptoms vary widely. Typically, these signs revolve around impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity.

Below are the most commonly reported ADHD symptoms in children.

Inattentiveness

-Issues remaining focused — abnormally low attention span
-Gets distracted easily
-Has a low short-term and long-term memory
-Loses things often
-Hard time doing time-consuming organized tasks
-Fails to hold commitments
-Does not understand instructions easily
-Making the same mistakes again and again
-Daydreaming

Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness

-Unable to remain calm and quiet.
-Constantly fidgets
-Shows excessive physical movements without getting tired
-Is not an active listener
-Consistent interruptions
-Poor judgment of risks and consequences
-Constant talking
-Acting without thinking
-Temper tantrums
-Self-centered behavioral problems

ADHD symptoms are often confused for typical child behaviors. It is indeed not uncommon for a normal child to display these signs. However, children with ADHD show these characteristics repetitively. They underperform academically and socially. The discipline issues they have are consistent and significant.

ADHD symptoms may appear in early childhood. They are hard to detect. They are most evident when your child faces change. Vigilance is the key to observe ADHD symptoms in toddlers.

If you see that your child is exhibiting ADHD symptoms, you should contact your Pediatrician. It is important to note that ADHD has serious implications in your child’s older life. Early medical intervention can save them a lot of trouble. With a series of Assessments, your Pediatrician can help identify if your child indeed has ADHD, and the best course of action for managing their symptoms.

ADHD-Related Problems

Children with ADHD may have the following associated medical conditions. Knowing them can help ADHD diagnoses and treatment.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Children with General Anxiety Disorder appear nervous most of the time. They appear anxious and afraid of changes. Common signs of an Anxiety disorder include:

-Dizziness
-Sweating
-Increased Heartbeat Rate
-Nervousness
-Panic attacks

Whereas it is not always the case, your child may have GAD along with ADHD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder have a range of signs and severities. They appear disconnected and have a lens of their own. Common signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder include:

-Poor verbal communication skills
-Difficulty using and understanding non-verbal modes of communication
-Strained development
-Poor social skills
-Obsessive repetitive patterns
-Aggressiveness

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition characterized by fits and seizures. It requires prompt medical attention.

Conduct Disorder

Conduct Disorders are common in children with ADHD. They cultivate aggressiveness and violence in children. The common signs of Conduct Disorder are:

-Indulging in crimes such as theft
-Violent behaviors
-Vandalism
-Harming people and animals
-Bullying
-Lying

Behavioral therapies can help your child improve when they exhibit symptoms of Conduct Disorder.

Tourette’s Syndrome

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological medical disorder. Children with this condition exhibit:

-Involuntary movements
-Urges to make sounds

Contact your pediatrician if your child displays these signs.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability. Children with dyslexia tend to lag behind in school and social life. Dyslexic children have difficulty learning things at a traditional pace.

Dyslexic children:

-Have repetitive patterns of mistakes
-Are slow at comprehending
-Struggle academically

Early guidance can make a huge difference in their performance.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder are often perceived as rebels. The common signs of this condition are:

-Rebellious behavior against parents and teachers
-Aggressiveness
-Disapproving behaviors

What can you do as a parent?

Children spend most of their time with their parents. As a parent, you can keep an observable eye on them. We recommend keeping a symptom log. If your child displays abnormal behaviors, immediately seek medical help.

ADHD treatment at Kids’ Health Alliance in Ocala

A combination of medicines and behavioral therapies can help improve your child’s ADHD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly famous for treating ADHD. Parent coaching can also be used to lessen ADHD symptoms in children.

If you are in the Ocala area, Kids’ Health Alliance can help you identify and manage your child’s ADHD. Our board-certified Medical Professionals use a series of tests to confirm ADHD. Our specialized developmental plans will help tackle your child’s symptoms. We also offer tailored guidance to parents. If you observe these common symptoms of ADHD in your child, visit www.ocalapediatrician.com to learn more or to book your first appointment.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/signs
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/