How to Know If Your Child Has ADHD

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects nearly one in ten children in the United States. How can you know if your child is one of them? It takes a doctor’s diagnosis to be sure, but there are some warning signs parents should learn. Scroll down to learn how to know if your child has ADHD.

How to Know If Your Child Has ADHD

ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions that occur in childhood. It’s so prevalent that five percent of all children worldwide will eventually be diagnosed with the disorder, and one in ten of them will be from the United States. Young ADHD sufferers without adequate support have a difficult time at school, at home, and in other areas of life. If your child is struggling with undiagnosed ADHD, that diagnosis is the key to getting them the support they need. 

Ultimately, ADHD can only be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional. However, as a parent, you still want to be aware of the warning signs. Here’s how to know if your child has ADHD:

Problems with Patience

Does your child tend to interrupt in conversations? Do they have trouble waiting their turn when playing games with other kids? Children with ADHD often exhibit “self-focused behavior” that can be mistaken for selfishness or a lack of concern about others. This can result in difficulty connecting with peers, which is another indicator to keep an eye on.

Can’t Sit Still

Is your child unable to play quietly by themselves? Are they fidgety and restless? Has a teacher ever told you they’re disruptive? If your child can’t quietly entertain themselves as they get older, despite what appears to be a genuine effort to do so, ADHD could be the culprit.

Lack of Focus and Follow-Through

Children with ADHD often lack focus. Do you ever notice your child “tuning out” as you try to explain something to them, or doodling and fidgeting through an important conversation? Do they forget to complete homework, or miss important steps when doing tasks around the house? What some parents think is a lack of discipline may be undiagnosed ADHD.

Emotional Difficulties

A lesser known but still important sign of ADHD is a lack of emotional regulation. Does your child struggle with emotional outbursts when they are disappointed or upset? Do they have a history of temper tantrums? Kids with ADHD have trouble managing their emotions, especially anger. Outbursts and frustration are very common.

Symptoms Stay Consistent in Multiple Environments

Sometimes symptoms of ADHD can feel difficult to attribute to the disorder because they can have many causes. For example, a child struggling with their grades could be suffering from a lack of focus, but they could also be dealing with bullying or another issue unique to the school environment. ADHD symptoms are consistent from task to task and environment to environment. So if a child can’t focus at school and also has difficulty taking care of chores and other household tasks, there’s a stronger likelihood that the issue is related to ADHD. 

What Should I Do If My Child Has These Symptoms?

If you suspect your child has ADHD, don’t panic. While there is not a cure for ADHD, there are many effective treatments for the disorder. They can involve medication, behavioral therapy, or other interventions. Since ADHD can manifest in many different ways, children with ADHD often benefit from a personalized plan to address their specific challenges. If you think your child has ADHD, have them assessed by a qualified medical professional as soon as possible. 

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Getting an ADHD diagnosis for a struggling child is only the beginning of their journey. Your child will need support every step of the way, so don’t go it alone. Reach out to Reed Behavioral Health today.

Reed Behavioral Health offers highly individualized solutions for individuals and families who have been impacted by behavioral health problems. Our approach is different. It starts with a comprehensive and individualized assessment process so we can determine how to best help you. For more information, please call us at 763-292-2368, email us at info@reedhealthcare.org, or send us a message online. We look forward to working with you!