Early Signs Of ADHD In Kids And Diagnosing It Right

Does your child lack attention and is highly active? It is important to find out why your child may be behaving a certain way as it could indicate other problems your child may be struggling with. For some children, it could also indicate early signs of ADHD. It could start affecting their school and social life.

Read on to find out some common signs of ADHD in kids.

What Is ADHD In Kids

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition in children that affects millions of them and usually continues into the adulthood phase too. It includes a combination of problems, including hyperactivity, difficulty in being attentive and impulsive behaviour.

The three subtypes of ADHD include:

• Predominantly inattentive. Most symptoms fall under inattention.
• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive. Most symptoms include being hyperactive and impulsive.
• Combined. It is a mix of both inattentive symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in kids.

How Early Can You See Signs of ADHD?

ADHD symptoms in some children can be noticeable from 3 years of age but for most, it starts before age 12.

Inattention in Kids

Community Expert Pooja Marathe says these are patterns of inattention in kids-

• Constantly fidgeting.
• Being unable to concentrate on tasks.
• Excessive physical movement.
• Excessive talking.
• Being unable to wait their turn.
• Acting without thinking.
• Interrupting conversations.

Dr Pooja Marathe adds, “One common symptom of ADHD is hyperactivity. So this symptom is to be the most looked out for symptom.”

Hyperactivity / Impulsivity in ADHD

• Trouble focusing on activities and becoming easily distracted.
• Low attention span while playing or doing schoolwork.
• Fidgeting, squirming, or otherwise having trouble sitting still.
• Being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings.
• Constantly needing movement or frequently running around.
• Engaging in activities loudly or disruptively.

ADHD VS Typical Developmental Behaviour

Most healthy children tend to get inattentive, impulsive or hyperactive at a certain given time. Preschoolers typically have short attention spans and are not able to focus on one activity for a long time. Plus, attention span generally depends on interest levels even in older children and teenagers.

The case is true when it comes to hyperactivity. Young children are naturally full of energy. Plus, some children have higher activity levels naturally compared to others. Just because a child is different from other siblings and friends, he/she should never be classified as having ADHD.

A child finding it difficult to adjust in school but getting along with friends or back home may likely be struggling with something else and not ADHD. It applies to inattentive or hyperactive children at home too, who are well adjusting when it comes to schoolwork and friendships.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you’re worried about your child showing any signs of ADHD, see your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, pediatric neurologist, developmental-behavioural paediatrician or psychologist. However, a proper medical evaluation is first important to get done to check for any other possible reasons for your child’s difficulties.

Before concluding ADHD in your child, talk to his/her teachers at school as they may let you know what difficulties your child may be facing. This condition should be diagnosed well as a team. Despite the condition, a child with ADHD can still succeed and live a normal life if the condition is diagnosed and treated on time.