What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It
is usually diagnosed in children and can last into adulthood. Kids with ADHD
may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours (acting
without thinking about consequences), or being overly active.
Signs
and symptoms
It is common for children to have difficulty
concentrating and behaving at some point in their lives. On the other hand,
kids with ADHD don’t just outgrow these behaviours. Symptoms persist and can
become severe, causing problems at school, at home, and with friends.
A child with ADHD may have
- dreamed a lot
- Forget or lose a lot.
- Whispering or fidgeting.
- Talk too much.
- Make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks.
- Having difficulty resisting temptation.
- Difficulty taking turns.
- Difficulty getting along with others.
Diagnosis
Determining if a child has ADHD is a multi-step
process. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems,
such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and some forms of learning
disabilities, can share symptoms. A medical evaluation, which includes hearing
and vision tests, is one step in the process of ruling out other illnesses with
symptoms similar to ADHD. A checklist for classifying ADHD symptoms and
obtaining the child’s history from parents, teachers, and in some cases the
child is used to diagnose ADHD.
Treatment
In most cases, the most effective treatment for
ADHD is a combination of behavioural therapy and medication. Before medication
is considered, behavioural therapy, especially parent training, is recommended
as the first line of treatment for preschool-age children (ages 4 to 5 years)
with ADHD. What works best for the child and family may be different. Good
treatment regimens include close monitoring, follow-up, and making changes as
needed.
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