When Should I Test My Child for ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is characterized by poor attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD typically appears during childhood, but adults can also be impacted. While there is no specific test or cure for ADHD, there are many ways medical professionals can identify and treat the symptoms.
What are common symptoms of ADHD?
While ADHD has many symptoms, not all children with ADHD will present the same ones. Most children begin to show signs as early as pre-school, but many are not formally diagnosed until later in childhood. Research suggests that symptoms vary due to a number of factors, including the type of ADHD. There are three different types of ADHD in children and teens:
Inattentive (formerly ADD)
Common symptoms include difficulty staying on task or following tasks through to completion, problems with paying attention, not listening and being forgetful or easily distracted.
Predominately Hyperactive-Impulsive
This classification of ADHD includes constant fidgeting or difficulty remaining seated, always being “on the go,” inability to focus on one thing, excessive talking and blurting out answers to questions.
Combined (Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive)
This type of ADHD involves displaying symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.
How can I identify signs of ADHD?
Symptoms of ADHD mostly commonly show up at school, home or in social settings. And with as many as one in 10 U.S. children affected by ADHD, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the difference between your child just being a kid and showing signs that cause concern. The differentiating factor tends to be the manner in which the symptoms are impacting your child’s life. If you are concerned that your child’s behavior indicates that they may have ADHD or they are struggling to manage daily tasks, it may be time to consider testing. However, it is also important to rule out other potential causes of symptoms, including changes in environment (particularly in the home), other medical issues or learning disabilities.
I believe my child is showing signs of ADHD. When should they be tested?
If you begin to notice some of the symptoms of ADHD in your child or a loved one, begin to track how often and when you see the symptoms occur. Take some notes as to what your child is doing, what type of symptoms they are displaying, and at what times or in what situations they are showing them in.
In order to have a diagnosis of ADHD, a child must show several symptoms of ADHD in some common settings (in school, at home, or in social settings) over a span of six months. These qualifications are one way medical professionals can identify if it is indeed ADHD, which variety of ADHD your child may have and the best plan for treatment.
What does ADHD screening look like?
There is no one-size-fits-all test to determine if your child has ADHD. Screening often takes several steps. Initially, a medical professional may ask to conduct a physical exam of your child to discover if a different type of disorder could be causing the symptoms you have observed. Next, an interview with you or your child may be held regarding behavior and activity level. Interviews or questionnaires with people who regularly interact with your child, like a coach or teacher, may also be conducted. These interviews allow medical professionals to compare your child’s behavior to the behavior of other children of the same age.
How can I help my child manage their ADHD?
There are several ways to help your child manage their ADHD including behavioral therapy, medications, and working collaboratively with their school.
Behavioral therapy can teach your child to be aware of, monitor and modify any disruptive behaviors they have. It can also help them develop social skills, as well as create awareness of their thoughts and emotions as a method to improve focus.
Medication may also help your child balance their ADHD symptoms. There are various types and doses of medication used to manage ADHD, which your doctor will monitor closely and adjust as necessary.
It is important to work collaboratively with your child’s school to ensure they have access to any accommodations they need. Start by making your child’s school aware of an ADHD diagnosis, as this will allow them to gain access to accommodations (for example, reduced distraction learning sites) that help them thrive in a school setting.
If you believe your child has ADHD, pursue evaluation and focus on early intervention and treatment. Proactive treatment of ADHD allows the severity of symptoms to be minimized, which will allow your child’s overall function to improve across all parts of their life.
To learn more about Right Track Medical Group’s approach to mental healthcare, visit https://www.righttrackmedical.com/about.