3 Signs Your Child Could Be Struggling with ADHD

You watch in wonder as your child grows and develops, learning to speak, walk, and interact — and you want to make sure that everything is progressing smoothly. Recently, you’ve noticed some issues with your child – perhaps they’re not paying attention or get distracted easily.

These behaviors are far from uncommon in kids, but that doesn’t prevent you from worrying about whether attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is present.

The reality is that ADHD affects 11.4% of kids in the United States between the ages of 3 and 17, so your worry isn’t out of place.

At Neighborhood Pediatrics, our team of pediatric experts, led by board-certified pediatricians Dr. Sharon Lucas and Dr. Rachel McConnell, has extensive experience with ADHD, and we understand the benefits of an early diagnosis.

With that in mind, let’s review the three main categories of ADHD symptoms and what to do next. 

1. Attention deficit or inattentive

The attention spans in kids are limited under the best of circumstances, but kids with ADHD can be inattentive. 

For example, your child may struggle to focus on one activity and get distracted easily. Your child might not finish anything and may struggle with details or instructions.

If this happens once or twice, this may not be cause for concern. If, however, this type of inattention is an ongoing issue that shows no signs of improving, this may point to ADHD.

1. Hyperactivity

Some kids with ADHD have trouble sitting still, and they’re fidgety. You might notice that they get up after just a minute or two from one activity and run off to do something else. 

Teachers often notice this restlessness in a classroom environment, but it can certainly be evident at home when your child can’t sit at the dinner table for long or run around the house from room to room for no apparent reason.

1. Impulsivity

A third component of ADHD is impulsivity, which can manifest in many ways. For example, kids with impulsivity issues can interrupt you or blurt out answers instead of raising their hands.

Impulsivity also means acting without thinking and grabbing at something they want without asking for it first.

ADHD combinations

One of the reasons why ADHD is so complex is that kids can have different combinations of symptoms. Some kids might display symptoms in all three categories, while others are predominantly inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive.

The best way to determine whether your child might have ADHD is to visit us, as we’re well-versed in the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Bear in mind that there’s no simple test for ADHD, and it takes a trained eye to determine whether a child is acting like a child or whether their brain activity is abnormal.

The good news is that early intervention with ADHD can pave the way forward to better development and minimize symptoms as your child gets older.

For expert diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, contact our office in Shenandoah, Texas, at 832-843-2049 to schedule an appointment today.