What is ADHD?
ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disorder is a recurring pattern of hyperactivity and/or inattention which interferes with a person’s ability to pay attention or control impulsive behaviors. Although symptoms begin in childhood, ADHD can also continue through adolescence and adulthood.
Brief Statistics about ADHD
According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11 percent of American children (aged 4-17) are diagnosed with ADHD. Approximately half of those children have severe impairment.
Studies show that boys are three times more likely to have ADHD. However, based on its 2015 report, the number of adults and children with ADHD seems to be on the rise.
Signs and Symptoms for ADHD
Symptoms may be difficult to detect but if you, as parent, suspect that your child may be suffering from this condition, it’s best to seek professional help.
Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for:
- Short attention span/lacks focus – They lack focus, even when a person is speaking to them directly.
- Unable to consider others needs or wants – They have a self-focused mindset that lets them think of themselves, making them unaware of others’ opinions or perspectives.
- Tendency to interrupt others – They jump into conversations that they are not a part of, and interrupt others while they are talking.
- Inability to keep their emotions in check – They go through emotional breakdowns like temper tantrums in inappropriate times.
- Cannot stay still – They have an impulsive behavior in which they always have to be doing something.
- Has trouble participating in quiet activities – They are fidgety, and they have difficulty playing quietly.
- Cannot finish tasks – Because they have such an active mindset, they show interest in many things but easily move onto the next thing that catches their interest.
- Can’t follow instructions – They have trouble with following instructions that include planning, leading to making mistakes. However, it’s not because they are lazy or not intelligent enough.
- Daydream often – Not all people with ADHD are loud, another symptom that a child has ADHD is when they stare into space and disassociate from their surroundings.
- Unorganized – They may have trouble managing which tasks and activities they have to do.
- Forgetfulness – They have trouble remembering things on a daily basis and often lose things.
- Symptoms continuously occur in all settings – Whether at school or at home, the symptoms manifest.
How Pearland Parents Can Get Help For Their Children
If you feel your child is suffering from this disorder, it is best to visit your local therapist to find out if they really are ADHD positive. From that point on, you can proceed with assisting your child with their condition by being informed, getting involved with your child’s school, learning which parenting approaches are effective, and joining support and awareness groups to spread the word.
Below are a few resources that can further assist with ADHD:
