Do you have a wiggle worm at home who likes to roam around, even during mealtimes? Do you get notes from school asking you to address their constant interruptions, their daydreaming, or their inability to complete schoolwork during the allotted time?
You may be wondering if your child might have ADHD. While it is the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in children, it will be difficult to tell unless you consult a healthcare professional.
ADHD in kids has a wide array of symptoms. Let’s explore what ADHD in children is, the different categories, and the symptoms associated with each type.
ADHD in a Nutshell
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), formerly called attention deficit disorder (ADD), is a brain-based developmental disorder that appears to begin early in childhood.
It is estimated that 1 in every 20 Australians has ADHD. It seems to be most common in boys; however, this may be due to it being underdiagnosed in girls and adults.
Sadly, ADHD is often misunderstood, with children often being considered mischievous, impulsive, or naughty. The emotional outbursts and anxiety often associated with this disorder also contribute to kids being unfortunately viewed as problematic.
It’s Passed On In the Genes
Believed to be a genetic disorder, children with ADHD display low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which impairs the brain’s capacity to regulate and manage thoughts, speech, actions, and emotions.
You will often find siblings from the same family diagnosed with ADHD.
Although environmental factors are believed to play a role in the development of this condition, the connections are less understood and need further investigation.
Types of ADHD
There are three different categories of ADHD symptoms your kiddo may fall under, Inattentive ADHD, Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, and Combined Type ADHD.
Keep in mind some symptoms and behaviours may be different for boys and girls. Additionally, depending on the child and their environment, these symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Let’s explore some of the common symptoms for each.
Inattentive ADHD
With Inattentive ADHD, children are easily distracted, but they are not hyperactive or impulsive.
This type of ADHD may be more difficult to notice since it will not become obvious until their school performance begins to suffer, or they begin to dread going to school
Here are some common symptoms:
- The child has a short attention span. They cannot seem to sustain attention, especially with tasks they find boring.
- They have difficulty listening to others and often miss details.
- They seem easily distracted by “shiny things” or are often scolded for daydreaming.
- They are forgetful and often misplace things.
- Kiddos have poor organizational skills – can’t seem to plan tasks or activities, cannot keep belongings organized, do things on time, or keep good study habits.
- They start but rarely finish tasks.
- They have difficulty following instructions and often make mistakes.
Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
Kiddos with symptoms in this category are always on the move. Slowing down is a challenge to them and they often act without thinking about the consequences.
Because little ones are on the go from the moment they start to crawl, hyperactivity symptoms are not always apparent until they reach about 7 years of age.
These are some common symptoms of this category:
- They are constantly in motion, often fidgety or squirmy.
- They talk a lot and often interrupt conversations or school lessons.
- Kiddos can’t seem to stop blurting out answers before questions are done.
- They react without thinking things through or evaluating risks.
- They hate boredom.
- They cannot engage in quiet activities.
- Kids tend to lose or forget things often.
- They often shift from task to task, unable to stick with one thing and complete it.
Combined Type ADHD in kids
With Combined Type ADHD, children experience both impulsive and hyperactive characteristics. It is a mixture of both types of ADHD.
Additional Symptoms
Children diagnosed with a type of ADHD may also experience low self-esteem, shame, and emotional turmoil for being different.
Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety for not being able to understand themselves or being unable to cope with things the way their peers do, often go hand-in-hand with ADHD.
As a result, they may experience outbursts of verbal or physical aggression.
Your patience, love, and understanding can go a long way during a time like this. Seeking therapy to deal with their emotions and learn coping tools can be extremely beneficial.
Speaking from personal experience, compassion and validating your little one’s feelings and emotions can help bond in the knowledge you have each other through this new phase of your lives.
Diagnosis and Treatments
It is important for parents to seek professional help when they notice their child’s symptoms begin to interfere with their daily lives.
Early detection and intervention through treatments and school accommodations can have a huge impact on their quality of life.
A pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or qualified mental health professional can properly diagnose your child and their ADHD type.
Treatments can include medication – there’s a wide variety available, natural supplements, and behavioural therapy.
If you chose to take the medication route, it may take time to find the right medication and dosage for your child, but with a little patience and trial and error, you should be able to find the one that works for your child.
Medications can be immediate-release (lasting 1-4 hours), or long-acting stimulants (lasting 8-9 hours). You may have the option to use one or the other depending on the child’s schedule or tasks at hand. Additionally, they can take their medications only on an as-needed basis.
Your healthcare provider can offer more detailed information, customizing their treatment plan to suit your kiddo’s needs.
While children with ADHD do experience difficulties due to their neurodivergence, when addressed properly, this condition does have its strengths.
Kiddos with ADHD tend to be highly creative and have unique perspectives on things. Their hyperfocus allows them to spend a lot of time learning about the things they love or enjoy. And their hyperactive energy can be channelled into successful physical activities.
With appropriate and timely support, your child can learn to manage their emotions and behaviour, they can develop healthy relationships, and learn tools to do things in ways that work for them.
