Does My Child Have ADHD? Know the Early Signs

According to the Centre For ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is the most common childhood psychiatric illness in Canada. But although it is an entirely treatable mental disorder, only a few cases of ADHD are diagnosed and reported.

How much do you know about this condition?

ADHD is a neurological disorder that affects the parts of the brain involved in planning, focusing, and implementing tasks. It commonly impacts kids and is known to affect 5% of children population worldwide. The disease may be observed during the early learning years when the child starts to have a problem staying still or focusing on activities. It has no known cure but finding out early that your child has it can improve the kid’s chances to control the symptoms and adjust to society.

What causes this disorder?

Medical researchers are still not sure of the exact cause of ADHD, but there are some factors seen to bring about the condition:

• Heredity. ADHD can be passed on from one generation to the next.
• Lead toxin. This can affect brain development among children.
• Brain injury. Damages to parts of the brain that control impulses and emotions can trigger the disease.
•  Bad habits during pregnancy. Malnutrition, drug and substance use, alcohol drinking, smoking, and contracting infections may affect fetal brain development.
• Brain underdevelopment. Parts of the brain that control attention do not actively function.

How do you know it’s ADHD?

ADHD is sometimes difficult to diagnose because some behaviors considered as red flags can sometimes be normal toddlerhood manners. But when the child is more than three years old, its early warning signs can be detected. The three types of ADHD can be classified according to their prevailing symptoms:

• Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type
• Primarily inattentive type (previously called Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD)
•  A combination of the two

Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type

Children with this type of ADHD are a living embodiment of the phrase “ball of energy”. They are usually kids with a case of “zoomies”, constantly moving and with minimal to no impulse control. The following behaviors are typically noticeable:

•  Squirms, moves around, or fidgets while sitting
• Has trouble staying still
• Talks a lot
• Has trouble being quiet
•  Constantly runs around
• Constantly interrupts other children or adults
• Cannot wait for his or her turn

Primarily inattentive type

If your child has this ADHD type, he or she would likely have a hard time paying attention to tasks or games. Inattentive types are wishful thinkers who constantly forget school work, pens, mobile phones, and even conversations. You can watch out for the following symptoms:

•  Fond of daydreaming
• Frequently distracted
•  Not too keen on listening to others
• Has difficulty processing instructions
• Does not complete tasks on hand
•  Forgets a lot of things
• Has trouble organizing
• Often loses things

Combined type

Toddlers with the combined type of ADHD display mixed behaviors of inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Physicians usually diagnose a child with this disorder if they manifest at least six signs per subtype.

Diagnosing the disease

If you have observed the abovementioned behaviors on your child for six months or more, it’s time to consult a doctor or specialist regarding this. If you are hesitant to schedule a meeting with the specialist because of the COVID-19 situation, you can approach an online doctor Vancouver first and ask for advice through an online medium.

Physicians are careful in diagnosing children under five years old with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, especially if there is maintenance medication of prolonged treatment involved. There is no single test to determine that a child has ADHD. The doctor will usually conduct a series of tests and assessments to check for signs of the disorder that the child may manifest in the past six months. Behaviors must also be observed in more than one area, like at school and home, for example.  The symptom must hinder the child’s regular age-appropriate activities or overall development. Your specialist may also interview people, like you and the child’s teachers, to check on your young one. You and your family’s medical history will also be checked.

Since symptoms of ADHD are easy to mistake for other toddler problems, do not just guess. See a licensed medical professional who can help you.

If you watch closely enough, you can successfully catch on the early signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is crucial so that you can seek treatment for your kid before the disease can cripple his or her way of living. If untreated, the child may experience bullying from other children and even adults, or he/she may bring harm to himself/herself.  Learn more about the disorder. Join support groups. And finally, find a doctor who can support you and help your family manage your child’s condition.