What is ADHD

Signs and Symptoms

It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

A child with ADHD might:

• daydream frequently
• become forgetful
• lose belongings or assignments repeatedly
• squirm or fidget
• talk excessively
• act impulsively and engage in risky behavior
• have difficulty taking turns
• have difficulty getting along with peers

Types

There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual:

• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is difficult for the individual to organize or finish a task, pay attention to details, or to follow instructions. The individual may also present difficulty following conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The person fidgets and talks excessively. It is hard to sit still for long periods of time (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and struggles 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 take turns or listen to directions. A person who engages in impulsive behaviors 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

Causes of ADHD

Scientists are studying cause(s) and risk factors in an effort to find better ways to manage and reduce the chances of a person having ADHD. The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies of twins link genes with ADHD.¹

In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including:

• Brain injury
• Exposure to environmental (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age
• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
• Premature delivery
• Low birth weight

Research does not support the popularly held views that ADHD is caused by eating too much sugar, watching too much television, parenting, or social and environmental factors such as poverty or family chaos. Of course, many things, including these, might make symptoms worse, especially in certain people. The evidence is not strong enough to conclude that they are the main causes of ADHD.

Diagnosis

Deciding if a child has ADHD is a process with several steps. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Many other disorders, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and certain types of learning disabilities can have similar symptoms. One step of the process involves having a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other diagnoses with symptoms comparable to ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD usually includes a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history of the child from parents and teachers.

Treatments

In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavioral 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 prescribed. What works best can differ from child to child and family to family. Effective treatment plans will include close monitoring of symptoms, consistent follow-up appointments, and adjusting therapy and medication along the way if necessary.

Managing Symptoms: Staying Healthy

Being healthy is important for all children and can be especially important for children with ADHD. In addition to behavioral therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier for your child to deal with ADHD symptoms. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:

• Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources
• Participating in daily physical activity based on age
• Limiting the amount of daily screen time from TVs, computers, phones, and other electronics
• Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age