Signs & Symptoms of ADHD in Children

Is your child running around more than other kids? Does your child find it difficult to sit still? Read on to find out the ADHD symptoms in children and ADHD symptoms and treatment. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the common behavioral issues seen in children below the age of 12 years. It also has a late onset in certain adults.

Parents of the child should be attentive to the various signs and symptoms of ADHD in children. Appropriate treatment with the correct dosage of medications and therapy is required for the efficient management of this disorder.

What is ADHD?

ADHD refers to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD can have its onset in infancy, although it is rarely recognized until a child is toddler age. More commonly, infants with ADHD are active in the crib, sleep little and cry a great deal.

In school, children with ADHD may be very impulsive and answer questions before it is finished and often end up being wrong. They are unable to do turn-taking and are very impatient. At home, they do not rest for even a minute and it is extremely difficult to put them to sleep.

Children with ADHD are very prone to accidents as they do not mind their steps. A significant percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD show behavioral symptoms of aggression and defiance. School difficulties, both learning and behavioral, are common with these children. They can also face various learning difficulties.

What are the most common signs & symptoms of ADHD in children?

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The following are some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD to look out for in your child:

1. Fails to give close attention to details

2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities

3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

4. Does not follow through on instructions

5. Has difficulty organizing activities

6. Dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort

7. Loses or misplaced things easily

8. Easily distracted by outside happenings

9. Often forgetful in daily activities

10. Fidgets often

11. Tapping hands and feet or squirming in the seat

12. Leaves seat during the class

13. Runs about when it is inappropriate

14. Acting often as if "driven by a motor"

15. Talks excessively often

16. Blurts out the answer before the question is complete

17. Difficulty in turn taking

18. Interrupts or intrudes on others

This ADHD symptoms in children checklist provides you with a way to navigate around the situation. All of these ADHD signs and symptoms may or may not be present in your child. Not all such children show all of these symptoms as DSM 5 specifies that most of these symptoms must be present by the age of 12 years. The subtypes include predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, or a combined presentation. Self-diagnosis is not recommended and you are required to consult with an RCI-registered clinical psychologist for a proper formal diagnosis of ADHD.

What Causes ADHD in children?

There are various causes of ADHD in children such as:

1. Genetic Factors:

Various twin studies have shown that identical twins are more prone to show ADHD than fraternal twins.

2. Neurochemical Factors:

Malfunction in the dopamine and norepinephrine is said to be responsible for a majority of ADHD symptoms in children.

3. Developmental Factors:

Higher rates of ADHD are seen in infants who are born prematurely and mothers who had an infection during pregnancy.

4. Psychosocial Factors:

Abuse during childhood, neglect, and severe maltreatment are potential causes contributing to developing ADHD in later childhood years.

How to treat and manage ADHD in children?

Ritalin is one of the most popular medications prescribed to children diagnosed with ADHD. It is advised you should not start any medication unless your doctor prescribes the same. In addition, behavior therapy is advised to manage the symptoms in the long run. It is generally seen that only a combined effect of the proper medicine and therapy can help manage the various signs and symptoms of ADHD in children.

A child may show several of the symptoms of ADHD by the time they turn 12 years. It is up to the parents to regularly monitor and check with their doctor if their child is having ADHD to ensure proper treatment is given to them at the right time.