Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children is characterized by subtle symptoms that often go overlooked by parents. ADHD can affect your child’s education and diminish their opportunity of establishing meaningful relationships in their life.
Doctors use a set of criteria to determine if your child has ADHD. The average age of diagnosis in children is seven years old, however, some children are only diagnosed in their mid-teens, while some are diagnosed even earlier than seven, making it a complex disease that exhibits symptoms at any stage of a child’s development.
10 Signs and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (3)
#1 Lack of Concentration and Focus
This symptom is one of the most frequently noticed by parents, and one of the first signs to watch out for when suspecting your child has ADHD. Children will struggle to concentrate and will often have difficulty paying attention to instructions.
#2 Avoiding Tasks that Require Mental Effort
Because of their inability to focus, children with ADHD find it challenging to complete projects or schoolwork that requires extensive mental effort. As a result, academic performance may suffer.
#3 Lack of Patience
Standing in lines, waiting their turn to speak, and a need to be the center of attention are all classic signs of how ADHD affects the patience of children.
#4 Narcissistic Behavior
Children will often exhibit less empathy for people around them. This behavior can lead to the child frequently interrupting people when they speak, as well as trouble with waiting their turn at a social or school event.
#5 Emotional Distress
Temper tantrums, outbursts, and anger are common signs of children struggling to cope with ADHD. This could be due to several factors.
#6 Fidgeting
If you have noticed that your child struggles to sit still for any length of time, they may have ADHD. Not all children who fidget have ADHD, so it’s important not to generalize as the disorder goes beyond restlessness or having to do excess movement.
#7 Non-completion of tasks
The mind of a child living with ADHD is hyperactive; this means that they have an interest in a wide variety of activities. However, these children have trouble following through with their projects or tasks and often leave their work unfinished as they lose interest.
#8 Issues with Relaxing or Playing Quietly
The fidgeting and lack of focus found in children living with ADHD mean that they struggle to play by themselves and keep their mind occupied. This behavior leads them to irrational outbursts of shouting or running about wildly.
#9 Lost in a Daydream
All children have active imaginations; it’s part of being young and is a sign of healthy mental development. However, if your child is continually drifting off into their thoughts, then they may have ADHD as they are unable to focus on the present moment.
#10 Frequent Mistakes
If your child has issues with following or executing instructions, they may have ADHD. This behavior should not be confused with a lack of intelligence, but rather with a lack of focus.
Moving Forward in Your Child’s Life
While most of these signs and symptoms are common for any child to display, you may want to consult a doctor if your child regularly demonstrates any of the behavior traits mentioned. Arrange a consultation with your family doctor for assessment and diagnosis.
ADHD can be managed lifestyle changes, good nutrition, targeted supplements, proper nutrition, and an overall holistic approach. A combination of community care and behavioral treatment with a holistic approach has been shown to be highly effective in many cases. (4)
Read about my son and my journey by applying these effective strategies to heal my son’s symptoms of ADHD
