Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder that can affect your child’s performance at school and the way they form and maintain relationships with others – including you.
The truth is, the symptoms of ADHD can vary greatly from child to child and sometimes they can be difficult to recognize, but if you follow these steps below, we will help you make a diagnosis of ADHD and understand their thought-processes a little more clearly.
Think about their behavior
One of the most common symptoms of ADHD are children who are unable to recognize other people’s needs – so they tend to interrupt and find it difficult to wait their turn.
Children who are self-focused often butt into conversations when they’re not part of them, or expect everyone to turn their attention to them and get upset or frustrated when they don’t.
Children with ADHD also can’t sit still, often running around, fidgeting or squirming in their chairs when they’re asked to be still and quiet, which can be a nightmare when they’re at school and the teacher tells them to do something.
That fidgetiness can also make it tough for children to play quietly or engage calmly in leisure activities, so they resort to shouting or screaming, which is offputting for other children and infuriating for parents and teachers.
Consider their emotions
Children with ADHD often struggle to keep their emotions in check, causing outbursts of anger or temper tantrums.
If your child is emotional without reason or reacts to things in ways that are uncharacteristic, consider speaking with your doctor for an ADHD diagnosis.
ADHD also causes children to show interest in lots of things, but a struggle to finish them. A child may start playing a game for example, and then move onto something else that catches their attention, leaving their game half-finished.
The same is true of TV shows, schoolwork, food, and friends, which can cause societal problems in the short- and longer terms.
Can they pay attention?
Another common symptom of ADHD is an inability to pay attention, even when a parent, friend or teacher is speaking directly to them.
More often than not, your child will say that they heard you but won’t be able to repeat what you said, which can encourage them to avoid activities which require a mental effort, such as listening in class or doing homework.
Because of this, children with undiagnosed ADHD often fall behind their fellow students and eventually struggle to keep up in classes.
In the short-term, this isn’t too much of a concern, but if you let their behavior go unnoticed and don’t work to rectify their problems, they could struggle to perform in exams and then struggle in later life, so biting the bullet sooner rather than later is critical.
As a parent, you’ll naturally want to find the solution, so we recommend reaching out to ADHD Treatment Doctors who can develop a customized ADHD treatment plan to your child’s needs, and allow them to live a full, active, and happy life.