Is your child a bit of a handful? Is your child’s behavior of throwing tantrums, shouting, roughhousing still keeps on even as he or she ages? Do you find it hard to hold your child’s attention longer than five minutes or any particular thing or activity for that matter? If your answer to all of the questions asked is yes, then you may have an ADHD child.
ADHD children are hyperactive, have trouble concentrating and focusing and typically act without thinking. Parenting an ADHD child can be exhausting especially when you feel that they do not listen to anything you say. It is not that they do not understand what is expected of them but rather because they cannot sit still long enough to pay attention.
Do not panic if your child shows signs of hyperactivity. All children behave this way at times; it does not necessarily mean that you have an ADHD child. Younger children tend to get excited or anxious quite easily. However, if you notice that your child is showing symptoms over a long period of time even at different settings, your child may have ADHD. There are 3 types of ADHD. They are Inattentive, Hyperactive-impulsive and Combined Type.
ADHD Symptoms in Children
ADHD children with inattentive type disorder have trouble paying attention and tend to be careless most of the time. They have problems in following instructions and organization. They get distracted easily and show forgetfulness of daily activities. Children with inattentive ADHD tend to lose their belongings such as toys, notebooks and homework.
Children with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD show symptoms like fidgeting or having difficulty in sitting still. They tend to keep climbing, running and always “on the go.” Playtime is usually a very noisy time and a constant talker, usually intrudes or interrupts a conversation.
The last ADHD type is a Combined type. It is the most common ADHD in children and the symptoms are the combination of the other two types.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a very common behavioral disorder that affects 8-10% of school age children. Studies will show that boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. Reason for this figure is still unknown.
It is very challenging to raise children with ADHD. It is taxing both to the parents and the child. But as a parent, you have to always keep in mind that your child is never “bad” or purposely making it difficult for you. This is why if you feel that your child may have ADHD, visiting your doctor will help tremendously to manage and control the disorder. Once diagnosed, your child will be able to get the proper help needed.
