| Parent to Parent: Is it Really ADHD? | | | | problems in the classroom. |
| At some time or other, all children have behavior that | | | | A child who exhibits inattention may daydream and |
| parents think is out of control. The inability to control | | | | have a hard time paying attention, be easily distracted |
| anger, or to sit still, or to pay attention are all "normal" | | | | from his work or play, is often forgetful, and often |
| childhood behaviors, and often parents can trace them | | | | seems not to listen. |
| back to a cause such as excitement, lack of sleep, or | | | | Children who display hyperactivity frequently squirm |
| hunger. However, there are some children for whom | | | | and fidget, talk too much, cannot play quietly, and are in |
| these behaviors are so frequent and intense that they | | | | constant motion. |
| interfere with the child's daily activities. You've likely | | | | Impulsivity can include an inability to wait for things, a |
| heard of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), | | | | frequent habit of speaking and acting without thinking, |
| and may be wondering if this treatable condition is | | | | and having trouble taking turns. |
| affecting your child. | | | | Does my child have ADHD? |
| What is ADHD? | | | | The key factor in all of these behaviors is their |
| The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defines | | | | frequency. From time to time, all children may show |
| ADHD as "a condition of the brain that makes it difficult | | | | some of these symptoms, and that doesn't mean your |
| for children to control their behavior" and reports that it | | | | child has ADHD in any of its forms. |
| is "one of the most common chronic conditions of | | | | You should check with your pediatrician to address |
| childhood, [affecting] four to twelve percent of | | | | any concerns or questions you have. He or she may |
| school-aged children." Boys are about three times | | | | ask questions regarding your child's progress in school, |
| more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than are girls. | | | | any learning problems, or any concerns you have |
| For parents, there may be a fine line between thinking, | | | | about your child's behavior. Your answers and your |
| "Well, he's a boy" when it comes to behavior that | | | | discussion with your pediatrician may lead to further |
| seems out of control, and wondering if your child has | | | | evaluation and treatment. |
| an underlying disorder. If this is your concern, trust your | | | | The AAP recommends that if your child "has shown |
| own instincts, educate yourself about the specific | | | | symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than |
| symptoms of ADHD, and consult your pediatrician for | | | | 6 months, discuss this with your pediatrician." |
| further diagnosis. | | | | Further Information |
| Symptoms of ADHD | | | | ADHD is a complex disorder, and you should always |
| The APA explains that three symptoms are the | | | | consult your pediatrician for specific questions you |
| hallmark of ADHD: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and | | | | have. You may find additional information on the AAP's |
| inattention. A child may have all three symptoms, or | | | | website, located at |
| have an "inattentive only" or "hyperactive/impulsive" | | | | Since this is a common and treatable, albeit complex, |
| disorder. The most common form is when all three | | | | disorder, you will find plenty of information and support |
| symptoms are present; the most common form in girls | | | | available. Knowledge is power, so be sure to educate |
| who are diagnosed is inattentive only, which may be | | | | yourself in order to assure your child gets the best |
| overlooked because it does not readily cause | | | | possible treatment available. |