Answering the Question, "Does My Child Have ADHD?"

It's one of the hardest questions parents ever have tocapable of sitting down and focusing on a task that
face. Does my child have ADHD? The diagnosis ofrequires their complete concentration, such as doing a
ADHD in a child is difficult, the prognosis disappointing,puzzle or coloring a picture. When asking yourself,
and because of that many parents have the tendency"Does my child have ADHD?" ask yourself the
to sweep the question under the rug. They assurefollowing questions:o Do they have any quiet activities,
themselves that it's only a stage, or their child is justsuch as writing, reading or coloring, that they are
acting out, and sooner or later they're going to outgrowcapable for doing for long periods of time?o Do they
it.become restless even in the midst of activities they
But what happens if they don't?enjoy, often getting out of their seat, shifting position,
"Does my child have ADHD?" is a vital question forwandering off to do other things and returning, jumping
parents to ask themselves when they notice that theirand yelling in their seat or becoming frustrated very
child seems to be having a harder time settling in andquickly when they can't complete a task to their
staying on task than their friends and classmates. Yes,satisfaction?o Do they often ask to go to group
all children are different. Some children are naturallyactivities, such as story time at the library or a special
quiet and calm, requiring little encouragement to settle inkid's cooking class, only to be restless and want to
and focus on an activity. Others are rambunctious,leave less than halfway through?o Do they seem
having little interest in sitting still in favor of running,excessively aggressive and loud when participating in
jumping and climbing on whatever happens to beathletics, even though it provides them with a
available.reasonable outlet for their energy?o Do they often hurt
The question that parents have to ask themselvesother children physically or with their words without
when asking, "Does my child have ADHD?" is whethermeaning to?
their child's inability to focus on a task is a matter of"Does my child have ADHD?" is a difficult question to
could or want. Boring tasks such as housework oranswer, and it's one that really should only be
homework are natural triggers for a child's imaginationanswered by a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist.
to take a side trip and leave your child lost inEven a naturally energetic child should have one or
daydreams or venturing out into a wild game oftwo quiet activities they enjoy doing for extended
pretend. It doesn't matter how well behaved your childperiods of time, however. If the answers to the
is, they're unlikely to never be distracted from theirquestions asked above were no, yes, yes, yes and
work.yes, it may be time to contact your physician for a full
Children without ADHD, however, are perfectlyevaluation of your child.