ADHD in Children

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

A mental health disorder caused by brain differences affecting a child’s behavior, attention, emotions, planning and/or thinking.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, around 11% of U.S. children aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD Symptoms in Children

 ADHD falls into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. A child may show signs from one or both.

Three Types of ADHD

ADHD doesn’t look the same in every child. Some kids may struggle to focus; others may have a hard time staying in their seat. Some kids may have trouble focusing and have hyperactive or impulsive behavior.

There are three main types of ADHD:

1. ADHD, combined presentation: Symptoms of inattention AND hyperactivity/impulsivity
2. ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation: Mostly or only symptoms of inattention, this was sometimes called ADD in the past
3. ADHD, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation: Mostly or only symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity

Common Questions about ADHD

• Will my child grow out of ADHD?
  ADHD is a chronic disorder. That means symptoms usually do stay into adulthood but may change in how it shows up or its intensity. This is particularly true for symptoms of hyperactivity. Hyperactivity may look more like restlessness by adolescence or early adulthood.
• Can kids not focus when they have ADHD?
  Having ADHD does not mean that kids cannot focus or stay seated, but they often have a more difficult time doing so. Many children with ADHD focus can intensely or hyperfocus on areas of interest such as video games or other highly stimulating activities. They might instead have a hard time shifting their focus or managing their time effectively.

• Do boys have ADHD more than girls?
  ADHD occurs more often in boys than girls (2:1). Girls are more likely to have symptoms of inattention.
• Does ADHD run in families?
  ADHD does often run in families. However, having a parent or sibling with ADHD does not mean a child will have ADHD, too.
• Are ADHD medications safe?
  ADHD medications are safe, well-studied and often very effective. Pediatricians are familiar with these medications and confident in working with families to identify the right type for each child. Taking ADHD medications as your doctor recommends does not lead to drug problems or addiction. In fact, treating ADHD may reduce the risk of substance use for kids.

Managing ADHD in Children

While there is no cure for ADHD, there are several effective treatment approaches that allow children with ADHD to thrive. It’s important that families communicate regularly with both their doctor and their child’s school about the ADHD diagnosis and how to best support the child across settings.

Evidenced-based treatment approaches include :

1. Medication: Helps improve focus and reduce overactive behaviors
2. Behavior therapy: Supports parents in reducing challenging behaviors and increasing prosocial behaviors like listening, sharing, taking turns, etc.
3. School supports:IEP, 504 plans and/or Daily Behavior Report Cards support students in the classroom with frequent feedback and monitoring with possible accommodations or interventions to promote academic, behavioral and social success

Kids usually do best with a combined approach to treatment which includes both medication and behavior therapy. For kids under 6, behavior therapy is recommended as the first step.

What if I’m Worried That My Child Has ADHD?

Start with a conversation with your primary care provider. They can help rule out other challenges that kids or teenagers face such as sleep deprivation, anxiety, bullying or a learning disability.

In addition to talking with your child’s provider, check in with:

• Teachers
• Coaches
• Other caregivers

They can offer insights about what they’ve observed. While teachers cannot possibly catch everything, they often have good experience in knowing what age-appropriate levels of attention look like in a classroom.