12 Oct What Is ADHD?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 6.1 million children ages 2-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. Plus, many children who have shown symptoms of ADHD have never been diagnosed.
Even though ADHD is one of the most common childhood conditions, a lot of misleading and false information about it can be found on the internet. “Separating the myths from the facts and raising awareness of ADHD is important,” says Mindy Lester, licensed psychologist for Methodist Family Health. “This can help lessen the stigma and create more accepting, accessible environments for children with ADHD.”
So, What Is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a medical condition involving differences in brain development and brain activity. Children with ADHD might be hyperactive, have trouble paying attention, behave impulsively, or have difficulty with self-control. ADHD is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.
Inattention means a person wanders off task, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized. The problems with inattention are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.
Hyperactivity means a person seems to move about constantly, including in situations in which it is not appropriate, or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks excessively.
Impulsivity means a person makes hasty actions that occur in the moment without first thinking about them, which may have high potential for harm. It can also mean a person has a desire for immediate rewards or an inability to delay gratification.
Research does not show that poor parenting, eating too much sugar, or exposure to too much screen time causes ADHD. Scientists don’t know yet what causes ADHD, but risk factors could include:
- Genetics (many children with ADHD have a parent who also has it).
- Brain injury.
- Exposure to environmental toxins.
- Alcohol, tobacco, or drug use during pregnancy.
- Premature birth.
- Low birth weight.
If left untreated, ADHD can cause problems at home, at school, and socially.
How Do I Know if My Child Has ADHD?
Determining if a child has ADHD involves many steps, including learning about the child’s behavior and performing a medical exam. No specific medical tests exist to determine if a child has ADHD. If there is no medical cause for the symptoms, the primary care physician may refer the child to a psychologist for psychological testing.
“Psychological testing is helpful with determining if a child has ADHD or another disorder,” explains Dr. Lester. “Other conditions with similar symptoms must be ruled out. For example, anxiety can look like ADHD. If a child is nervous or anxious, he cannot focus or concentrate. The nervous, restless energy may also look like hyperactivity. Psychological testing is used to find the most appropriate diagnoses to create a plan of treatment.”
The psychologist will obtain a history of symptoms and behaviors. In addition, the parent, teacher, and child will complete inventories to evaluate mood and behavior across settings. A diagnosis of ADHD will be given if the results and behaviors clearly show that the child’s problems with attetion, self-control, or hyperactivity:
- Are beyond what is typical for their age.
- Are not caused by another health issue.
- Cause impairment of functioning in multiple settings.
Symptoms of ADHD
Understanding the signs of ADHD is the first step in receiving an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
A child with ADHD could have these symptoms:
- Daydreaming during class.
- Being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli.
- Making careless mistakes.
- Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, conversations, or reading.
- Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort.
- Losing things necessary for tasks or activities.
- Often interrupting others.
- Difficulty waiting.
- Difficulty sitting still.
- Talking excessively.
- Difficulty engaging in play or hobbies quietly.
- Blurting out answers before a question is completed.
- Roughhousing excessively.
- Difficulty getting along with others.
“It’s normal for children occasionally to have trouble in these areas,” says Dr. Lester. “However, ADHD could be the cause when the symptoms are severe, persistent, and disruptive across settings.”
ADHD Treatment
ADHD is usually treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Dr. Lester explains, “What works best is different for every child and depends on that child’s individual situation and family. The right treatment can greatly improve ADHD outcomes.”
Behavior therapy includes helping children and their families change how they act and respond to situations. The goal is to replace the child’s negative habits and actions with positive ones. The involvement of parents in therapy is vital. This is done through training, coaching, and equipping them with tools to effectively address and manage the ADHD behavior challenges.
Medication, on the other hand, triggers the brain’s ability to pay attention and practice more self-control. A primary care physician or psychiatrist will help the family to determine the most appropriate medication option if deemed necessary. The therapist and physician should collaborate when providing services to make sure all are on the same page. Effective treatment plans also include monitoring and follow-ups.
In addition, teachers play important roles in helping children with ADHD. The child may require specific supports or accommodations to be successful in the classroom.
With all these aspects of treatment working together, children can learn to improve their own skills as they grow up.
ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence or ability, and it is not caused by bad parenting. Symptoms of ADHD can improve when children receive treatment, including therapy and medication, and have supportive parents and teachers who know how to address it.
If you think your child has ADHD, talk to your pediatrician. They will do an exam to determine if something else is causing the symptoms. Your doctor may then refer you to a child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or developmental pediatrician, if needed.
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Additional resources, support, and information on life with ADHD can be found at https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/.
