Could Your Child's Behavioral Issues Be Undiagnosed ADHD?
Your kid forgot their homework again, or maybe they can’t sit through dinner without getting up multiple times.
Maybe the teacher has mentioned “focus issues” at parent-teacher conferences multiple times.
A lot of parents consider this to be a behavior problem; however, in some of these cases, this behavior can be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
The thing about ADHD is, a lot of people think of hyperactive kids running around the classroom, but children can have ADHD without showing this kind of behavior.
ADHD Signs to Look Out For
ADHD can look different in a lot of people. Lack of focus, or extreme levels of inattentiveness, can look a lot like careless issues or problems of attitude.
Watch for patterns such as:
● Forgetting things easily
● Starting things and not finishing
● Losing things often
● Talking over others and interrupting
● Spacing out
● Not good at time management
It is about pattern. It is normal for children to forget things occasionally.
But if their forgetfulness and the rest of their behaviors are consistent and deep-rooted enough to cause ongoing issues in school or at home, a diagnosis may be overdue.
What Gets Overlooked
Some of the symptoms of ADHD go under the radar. They might not seem like a big deal, but they can make things much harder.
Intense emotional expressions. An emotional explosion over something minor, followed by feeling bad, can happen.
It becomes a social situation. Kids with ADHD might not properly pick up social cues. They may struggle to understand the social dynamics. They desire friendships, but maintaining these friendships can become difficult.
Academic performance. Children can be smart and understand the school material, but can lose points for small mistakes, incomplete assignments, or simply forget to turn in their assignments.
Why Diagnosis Helps
You may ask whether having a “label” would complicate things. The answer to that is no.
Children do not know what the problem is, thus making an assumption that they are not trying hard enough to understand something.
They may begin to believe that there is something wrong with them, and this can harm them.
Getting diagnosed means:
● Knowing why some things are difficult
● Learning the appropriate methods
● Receiving help in school
● Lessening the feelings of failure that can be present
The earlier you tackle it, the better it is for the child - particularly in the context of assisting them in their early stages. Their coping skills and self-esteem will be improved.
If You Think It Might Be ADHD
Observe in detail. What behaviors are repeating? When and how frequently do they occur?
Speak to teachers. They observe your child in a different setting and can provide valuable input.
Reach out to a mental health provider. A qualified assessment considers the entire picture, not just a handful of symptoms.
Getting Support
If your child needs help, you do not need to figure this out by yourself.
At Serenity Health, we have extensive experience working with families who deal with ADHD and other challenges.
Our Carmel office can work around school hours. We have different approaches and try to find the best one that works for you.
FAQs
Do children ever outgrow ADHD?
No, it's a disorder that children will have for the rest of their lives, although the symptoms will change as the child gets older.
Additionally, ADHD symptoms can become more mild.
For instance, there are adults who manage their symptoms without medication and have a successful life.
Is medication always required?
Some children will respond to the medication use and others will respond to the behavioral strategies or accommodation use, or a combination of the various approaches.
