Children can be tiresome—no matter their age. But oh, they are charming! The wit, the spontaneity, the unadulterated joy—it’s enough to make you crack up, but also drive you mad, isn’t it? Especially when you can’t get them to sit still, follow directions, wait their turn, or listen carefully! And for a child with ADHD, these types of requests or expectations are even harder to meet.

All children will be inattentive, impulsive, or hyperactive sometimes. That’s just part of being a kid. Preschoolers in particular struggle to stay focused on one activity for a sustained amount of time. It’s not unusual for preschoolers to have short attention spans. Plus, isn’t it cute when they get sidetracked by a bug or a pile of rocks with no particularly interesting quality except that they exist?

In school-aged children and teens, it’s not uncommon for their attention spans to depend on their interest in what’s at hand.(1) Pursuing their passion for basketball, reading, or collecting sneakers trumps doing boring stuff like homework any day.

But for children with ADHD, symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity are severe, persistent over time, and significantly impair their functioning. (2) And they aren’t able to “will” themselves to focus or pay attention.(9)

ADHD Symptoms

There are 2 behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD(3):

· Inattentiveness
· Hyperactivity/impulsiveness

Boys are more likely to be diagnosed due to hyperactive behavior, whereas girls are more likely to display inattentiveness. Many girls go undiagnosed because of this, and do not get the help or treatment they need.(3)

There are 3 types of ADHD(4):

·       Inattentive (This is called attention deficit disorder, or ADD)
·       Hyperactive/impulsive
·       Combined

If you child has inattentive ADHD (or ADD), you might notice they(4):

·       Have trouble focusing
·       Get distracted easily
·       Have a short attention span(3)
·       Seem like they aren’t listening
·       Struggle with following through on instructions
·       Make careless mistakes (like on homework) or don’t pay attention to details
·       Struggle with organization
·       Fail to complete chores or homework
·       Avoid tasks they dislike or that require sustained mental effort and focus (like homework)
·       Can be forgetful or lose things frequently(3)
·       Change tasks or activities often(3)

If your child has hyperactive/impulsive ADHD, you might notice they(4):

·       Fidget, tap their hands or feet, squirm when seated
·       Have trouble staying seated (like in the classroom)
·       Seem to be in constant motion, are always on the go
·       Run or climb when not appropriate
·       Struggle to play or do an activity quietly
·       Blurt out answers, speak out of turn, talk a lot
·       Interrupt other people’s conversations, activities or games
·       Struggle to wait their turn
·       Act without thinking(3)
·       Don’t have a good sense of danger(3)

If your child has combined ADHD, you might notice they(7):

· Display symptoms related to both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity

Combined ADHD is the most common subtype.

Behavioral Presentation of ADHD

Often children with ADHD will struggle to get organized. Their backpack may be a mess. They may lose their homework frequently. They often have trouble getting started on, prioritizing, or staying committed to tasks. They may leave things to the last minute because they can’t get started on a project unless it feels like an emergency. Others will have trouble managing their time. Finishing things within a reasonable timeframe can seem impossible to a child with ADHD. And they may struggle to regulate their sleep, often staying up later than they should and having a hard time waking up. You may hear a child with ADHD say, “I can’t sleep because I can’t shut off my brain.”(9)

Children with ADHD also tend have difficulty managing their emotions. A small frustration will set them off, and then, just as quickly, they’ll be over it.(9) They can struggle with impulsivity and moderating their actions, too. A child with ADHD is likely to jump into something without thinking about the risks or consequences.

Difficulty with short-term memory recall is another symptom. They may study for a test and know all the answers, but then not be able to retrieve that information when taking the test.

Many people will struggle with one or more of these symptoms at some point in their life due to the normal stresses and pressures of daily living. But it’s a question of how severe the symptoms are and how much they interfere with a child’s daily life.

What Causes Childhood ADHD?

Genetics, environmental factors, and brain chemistry all contribute to the development of ADHD. It’s a neurobiological disorder linked to an imbalance of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain.(2)

Out of every 4 people diagnosed with ADHD, one of them has a biological parent with ADHD, though the parent may not be diagnosed. The other 3 usually have another family member who struggle with it.(9)

Risk Factors for ADHD(1):

·       If you or a blood relative has ADHD, it’s more likely your child will develop it
·       Exposure to environmental toxins such as lead pipes or paint
·       Alcohol, drug or tobacco use during pregnancy
·       Premature birth

Comorbidity:

Approximately two-thirds of children and adolescents with ADHD have a comorbid disorder, meaning they have another disorder present simultaneously.(2)

Children with ADHD may also struggle with one or more of the following(3):

·       Anxiety disorders
·       Oppositional defiant disorder
·       Conduct disorder
·       Depression
·       Autism spectrum disorder
·       Tourette’s syndrome
·       Dyspraxia
·       Epilepsy
·       Sleep issues
·       Learning disorders

I Think My Child Has ADHD. What Do I Do?

In the UK, approximately 2-5% of school-aged children have ADHD(2) and approximately 6 million children in the US have been diagnosed with ADHD.(6) If you or someone else in your child’s life thinks they may be struggling with ADHD, here are some steps you can take.

Connect with your child’s teacher(s)

Learn what’s happening at school. Explain what types of things you’re seeing and hearing at home, and ask if similar things are presenting in class.

Seek out resources

Educate yourself about ADHD and its treatments. Learn about the symptoms but also the myths associated with this disorder. Connect with other families whose children or teens struggle with ADHD.

Work with an ADHD specialist

There isn’t a cure for ADHD, but treatment can help children manage their symptoms so their lives (and yours) don’t spin out of control. Early intervention and diagnosis can help improve outcome.(7) Working with a therapist or care provider who specializes in ADHD will help your child learn non-pharmacological coping strategies, though treatment for ADHD typically involves both behavior therapy and medication. Talk to your child’s doctor about the risks and side effects associated with medication.(8)

Be patient

It may take time for your child to get a handle on his or her ADHD. If medication is prescribed, it may take a while to find the correct dose. Medication doses may need to be adjusted as your child matures, or if they experience significant side effects.(8)

Look for (and praise) successes

Children with ADHD often have difficulty with low self-esteem on top of their ADHD symptoms. This may be partially due to their receiving criticism more often than other children. Try to notice your child’s strengths. Praise big and small wins. Observe what strengths helped your child succeed and then name them.(8)

Take action

Your child’s ADHD may not go away, but with treatment, they can learn to manage their symptoms and thrive despite the challenges that living with ADHD can present. Seek professional intervention and get help from a doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health provider who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

Interested in learning more?

Check out this podcast episode on childhood ADHD. You’ll get information on how a brain with ADHD works, what behaviors you’ll see in the home or at school, comorbidity or the prevalence ADHD is occurring with other disorders, and so much more. If your child does have ADHD, you’ve probably encountered many behavioral challenges. At the end of the podcast, hear from other parents whose children may be struggling with ADHD for tips on behavior management and next steps.

Equip yourself with knowledge and tools to help your child thrive. Subscribe here to the Genius Little Minds podcast so you never miss an episode!