What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a chronic condition that affects children, teens, and adults alike. People with ADHD often find it challenging to stay focused, control intrusive and compulsive behaviors, maintain healthy personal relationships, and succeed at school and work.
The 3 Types of ADHD
Knowing the different types of ADHD can help you identify what your child is struggling with.- Inattentive Type ADHD: Of the three broad categories of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the symptoms of Inattentive Type ADHD are the most commonly associated with the condition. People with this form of ADHD predominantly struggle with poor concentration and organization.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD: Teens with Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD find it hard to sit still, focus quietly on a task, or think ahead about the consequences of inappropriate behavior. Sometimes hyperactivity causes people to fidget with objects or dominate conversations.
- Combination Type ADHD: Children and teens who struggle with inattentiveness and impulsivity, but whose symptoms don’t perfectly match either of the categories above, may have Combination ADHD.
Red Flags for ADHD
Keep the general symptoms in mind to help identify it early in your own child.Common symptoms of ADHD:
- Distractibility
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of focus
- Impatience
- Frequent interrupting
- Physical hyperactivity
- Conversational dominance
- Lack of attention to detail
- Impulsive and destructive behavior
- Excessive fidgeting or talking
- Difficulty staying still or quiet
- Inability to take turns
- Difficulty succeeding in an academic or occupational setting
- Failure to follow through on assignments, chores, or other tasks
- Avoidance of sustained mental effort
Main Risk Factors for ADHD
Certain factors can increase your child's chances of developing ADHD.Genetics: There’s very strong evidence that a person’s genetic background can increase their chances of developing ADHD. Although the condition can appear absent of a family history, children whose parents or siblings have ADHD are much more likely to exhibit its symptoms.
Fetal Exposure: Smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy have both been strongly linked to the development of ADHD. Both habits can cause permanent damage to the brain’s structure and function.
Brain Injury: In some cases, traumatic physical injuries or exposure to toxins may precede the development of ADHD symptoms in children—although more research on this topic is necessary.
Typical Treatments for ADHD
Many treatment options for ADHD exist today, but finding the right one for your child is a little more tricky.The most common ways of coping with and treating ADHD include:
- Medication: Although medication without social and behavioral intervention may not do much to improve ADHD symptoms, it’s often a great place to start. Medication can help to minimize symptoms and stabilize behavior, but it does have side effects.
- Skills Training: Children and teens who struggle with ADHD often benefit from targeted therapy that teaches them how to interact with
- Behavioral Therapy: Through one-on-one sessions, support groups, and family sessions, teens with ADHD can learn to eliminate any unhealthy behaviors and express messy emotions in a secure environment.
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Symptoms & AssessmentRead through our checklist to see if your symptoms match those commonly associated with ADHD. If you suspect your child may have ADHD, taking an actual assessment is the next step.
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Seek Out ProfessionalFind a doctor who can evaluate your situation and offer a comprehensive diagnosis. This is essential to understanding where your child is at and how to best help them thrive.
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Look at Your OptionsReview your treatment options to find the one that’s most likely to work for you. If your child is struggling with behavioral issues as well, next steps may be a treatment program.
in the United States increased 43% in the span of just 8 years.
for children with ADHD can be 30% slower than those without it.
Symptoms never receive the treatment they need for them to work through it constructively.
eventually choose to drop out of school because of learning difficulties, being misunderstood, being bullied, or other reasons.
