ADHD can be diagnosed in children as young as four. Symptoms need to be present before age 12, so if your daughter is a teenager your doctor will ask how long she has had symptoms.
For example, many parents start worrying about ADHD in their toddlers. But these symptoms are normal for children at that developmental stage. The signs can still show up pretty early on though. ADHD can be diagnosed as early as four years old.
An early diagnosis is important so that your child can get the needed help to minimize these problems. Even for the preschooler who might have some symptoms but does not have ADHD, these early years are the time when significant brain development occurs.
Dislikes or avoids activities that require paying attention for more than one or two minutes. Loses interest and starts doing something else after engaging in an activity for a few moments. Talks a lot more and makes more noise than other children of the same age. Climbs on things when instructed not to do so.
Similar to the hyperactive symptoms, impulsive symptoms are typically seen by the time a child is four years old and increase during the next three to four years to peak in severity when the child is seven to eight years of age.
The researchers point out that children with ADHD may find it difficult to concentrate for long periods and are challenged by impulsivity and excess energy. Screens may be better able to capture and keep their attention, and screens may help calm and occupy children.
You can inherit genes that boost risk for ADHD from your mother, from your father or from both parents. In a recent Norwegian study, inherited risk was somewhat higher when a child's mother had ADHD compared to their father, but researchers weren't certain why that would be.
The easiest way to get diagnosed and treated for ADHD if you are an adult is to approach your GP. Most GPs have a good understanding of ADHD. More importantly, as community-based health workers GPs have a wide-ranging understanding of medical and social issues that can affect one's cognitive function.
Causes of ADHD
Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury. Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.
If you think you or your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speak to a GP. You can also speak to your child's teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).
So, if your child is having problems with attention, focus, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or some combination of those, and is at least 4 years old, your first step should be an appointment with your child's primary care doctor.
People living with ADHD may have a variety of skills and abilities beyond those of their neurotypical counterparts. These may include hyperfocus, resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy.
Cocomelon is known for its catchy tunes. Still, the repetitive nature of these songs can be overstimulating for kids with auditory sensitivities. The background music and sound effects may also contribute to sensory overload, making it challenging for some children to enjoy the content.
Hyperfocus is intense focus that can last for a long time. Kids with ADHD often experience hyperfocus on things that really interest them, even when they have a hard time paying attention to things that don't interest them.
With ADHD, a child or teen may have rapid or impulsive speech, physical restlessness, trouble focusing, irritability, and, sometimes, defiant or oppositional behavior.
For many individuals, ADHD impairments are made worse by their struggles with excessive anxiety, persistent depression, compulsive behaviors, difficulties with mood regulation, learning disorders, or other psychiatric disorders that may be transient, recurrent, or persistently disruptive of their ability to perform the ...
Sleep disturbances are common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Hyperactivity may cause sleeplessness, and sleeplessness appears to exacerbate ADHD symptoms. This information was confirmed in 2014 by researchers in the BMJ Open medical journal.
Many children with ADHD have problems with behavioral control. They may say or do things impulsively; be very fidgety; run about or climb in situations where it is not appropriate; may have trouble staying seated; may seem to be “on the go” as if “driven by a motor”; may interrupt or have trouble waiting their turn.