ADHD in Children: What you need to know

Posted: June 5, 2023

You may have heard of ADHD or know a child that has endless energy, but what does ADHD stand for? What qualifies for a diagnosis, and what does ADHD look like in daily life?

You may have some concerns regarding your child’s behavior and are looking for answers. Below, I will go over what you need to know about ADHD, including things to look out for and what steps to take if you have concerns.

If you are wondering what therapies are typically recommended for children with ADHD, see Supports and Services for Children with ADHD. Do you have questions or concerns about autism, see Autism in Children: What you need to know. Are you concerned that your child is showing signs of anxiety, see Anxiety in Children: What you need to know.

What is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, though not all individuals with ADHD will necessarily struggle with all three.

Signs and symptoms of ADHD are first present in childhood and typically persist through adult life.

It is important to know that other disorders can have similar symptoms to ADHD, such as: anxiety, sleep concerns, depression, and learning disabilities. Additionally, it is important to screen for hearing and vision deficits prior to diagnosing ADHD, as these concerns can also have similar symptoms.

Difficulty focusing and/or distractibility can result in children getting in trouble at school on a regular basis as well as difficulty making and maintaining friendships. See below for other signs of ADHD to look out for.

ADHD: Signs to look out for

Remember that each individual with ADHD will present with their own strengths and challenges. Below are some general behavior trends in children that raise concern for ADHD:

Difficulty focusing or getting distracted frequently

Constant fidgeting or squirming

Frequent daydreaming or not paying attention when being spoken to

Difficulty taking turns

Excessive talking or interrupting others often

Making careless mistakes

Being forgetful of daily activities

Seeming to act without thinking or having difficulty resisting temptation

Difficulty getting along with others

Steps to take if you are concerned that your child may have ADHD:

1. Don’t wait! Talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns, and contact your local school district to request an evaluation for services if difficulty in school arises or is currently present.

2. Start intervention as soon as possible! Treatment can make an impact on your child’s symptoms. Contact the Utah Parent Center for help locating resources in your area, or get in touch with the Salt Lake County branch of CHADD for support. If behavior concerns are present, contact Seedling Behavioral Psychology for parent training on managing challenging behaviors.

3. Learn more about ADHD! Visit the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) website for more information on ADHD.

A free therapy consultation in Draper

Hopefully this helps answer some of your questions about ADHD in children. If you are looking for more information on parent training or challenging behavior support for your children, feel free to call me at (810)-613-9184 for a free 15-minute phone consultation, or click HERE to read more about how I can help.

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