How to recognize symptoms of ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects close to 10% of American children. There are different ranges of this disorder, some more intense than others. To confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, a child must complete a series of evaluations; however, there are some telltale behaviors that raise a "red flag" in ADHD diagnosis by parents and educators nationwide.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience and caring for the well being of your child.
• The care of a pediatrician or behaviorist.

1. Observe your child's behavior. If you are thinking about ADHD and its affects, you may already have a suspicion that your child has some hyperactivity or inattentiveness issues. If possible, see how his/her behaviors compare to other children their age. Many kids exhibit hyperactive behavior at one time or another, but ADHD kids have persistent, chronic symptoms that affect their everyday functioning.
2. Note behavior issues such as difficulty listening, difficulty following directions, frequent loss of items (ie, toys, homework), problems paying attention to a task such as homework, extreme messiness or sloppiness, fidgeting, squirming, and inability to sit still. Some other symptoms are frequently interrupting or blurting answers during school or a conversation.
3. Consult with your child's educators. Getting a more experienced opinion can help you become more educated about ADHD. Set up a meeting with your child's teacher, principal, or school psychologist. Further direction can affirm your observations.
4. Consult with your child's pediatrician. If you feel that your child's behaviors are more present or disruptive then his/her peers, have been notified by their teacher that there may be a behavioral issue, or your child's school, home or social life is affected by his or her inability to control behavior and inattentiveness, talk to a professional for advice and possible testing.
5. Don't jump to conclusions. Just because your child exhibits ADHD-like series of behaviors does not mean they have this disorder. Many times, they way we deal with our children can increase or decrease certain behaviors. Do not assume your child will need medication or treatment based on your personal observations.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. ADHD kids are typically more difficult to handle than most other kids due to these behaviors and the inability to control them. By becoming educated on how to deal with a child with ADHD, you can make a big difference in their emotional and behavioral progress.
• There is currently no blood or MRI or other imaging testing to confirm a diagnosis of ADHD. The most common form of evaluation are various physical and psychological tests.
• I am not a health care professional. Use your own judgement with your child and consult a physician for further evaluation and information.