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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD,  is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and can lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.  

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It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at a very young age. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The negative behaviors have to be redirected to positive behaviors through cognitive behavioral therapy strategies.   ADHD can be severe, and can cause difficulties at school, at home, or with being with friends.

A child with ADHD might:

• daydream a lot

• forget or lose things a lot

• squirm or fidget

• talk too much

• make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks

• have a hard time resisting temptation

• have trouble taking turns

• have difficulty getting along with others

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There are three different ways ADHD presents itself, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest:

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• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.

• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.

• Combined Presentation: Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.

 

Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change over time as well.

The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including:

• Brain injury

• Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age

• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy

• Premature delivery

• Low birth weight

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Deciding if a child has ADHD is a process with several steps. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. One step of the process involves having a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD usually includes a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history of the child from parents, teachers, and sometimes, the child.

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In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. What works best can depend on the child and family.

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Being healthy is important for all children and can be especially important for children with ADHD. In addition to behavioral therapy and medication. Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources, as well as engaging in physical activity.

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Source: CDC

 

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By Dietra Myers