5 Signs Your Child Could Be Suffering from ADHD

An estimated 6 million American children between the ages of 2 and 17 have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This neurodevelopmental condition can affect your child in various ways.

At Neighborhood Pediatrics, board-certified pediatricians Rachel McConnell, MD, and Sharon Lucas, MD, lead our team in diagnosing and treating ADHD. But, how do you know if your child has it?

Symptoms of ADHD include impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. Watch for these five common signs:

1. Focus issues

Children who have ADHD have trouble with two categories of focus:

Self-focus

A child with ADHD can struggle with having patience, especially when needing your attention. They tend to interrupt without acknowledging others, or they might have an attitude about having to wait their turn for an activity.

Lack of focus

ADHD can cause your child to have difficulty with paying attention. For example, you can look at them and ask them to do something, but they can’t tell you what you just said. 

Their lack of focus can challenge their ability to do homework or anything that requires mental effort for periods of time. You might also notice that they don’t finish tasks that they’ve started, such as chores or projects.

2. Heightened emotions

ADHD children have little control over their emotions. When they don’t get their way, they can have extreme outbursts of rage whenever their feelings take over.

3. Constant movement

A child with ADHD has the urge to squirm, fidget, and run. Sitting still is a difficult task for them.

4. Daydreaming

Although ADHD tends to cause hyperactivity, your child might display a quiet, calm disposition while staring off into space and ignoring what’s happening around them, lacking the ability to be emotionally present with others.

5. Lack of organization

Organization can present a problem for children with ADHD. For example, they might have trouble keeping a record of their activities and tasks, not knowing how to prioritize the importance of school work, chores at home, or other activities.

Symptoms of ADHD can occur anywhere at any time, making it difficult to manage at times — especially in public settings. If your child suffers from any of the symptoms listed above, reach out to our team. We can give them an accurate diagnosis and learn more about their behaviors and condition. We can also provide personalized, effective treatment.

If you think your child might have ADHD, use the convenient online booking tool to request an appointment at our practice in Shenandoah, Texas, or call our friendly office staff today.