Attention Issues and ADHD in Children: Assessment & Treatments

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a very prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting millions of children and adults. ADHD is often diagnosed during childhood and may continue into adulthood. Research has shown that about 11% of children are diagnosed with ADHD. Children with ADHD often show signs of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. ADHD affects them in many different aspects of their lives, including their learning, academic and work performance, emotions, and interactions with others.

Unfortunately, attention issues in children often end up with challenging behaviours or attention issues that are often misunderstood by many people as being wilful, stubborn, or spacing out. Parents are generally frustrated and struggle to find a way to handle these children.

Although active, inactive, and impulsive behaviour may be typical for many children, an underlying disorder such as ADHD might be causing these behaviours. If parents observe more severe and persistent patterns of such on many occasions, it may be a good idea to consult a professional. It is essential to comprehend that not all kids with attention issues are ADHD, and it could be other disorders like Anxiety, OCD, Stress or Trauma, or other Learning disorders. One thing for sure is that all these disorders require a proper professional diagnosis and appropriate treatments/therapies.

Not getting professional help or treatment for challenging behaviours upon noticing signs of ADHD in children can lead to multiple problems at home and in school. Parents and teachers from school that are dealing with the children daily might not know how to or be able to handle the conditions if they are unclear of the diagnosis as well. The consequences of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD have many adverse effects and will likely affect one's entire life.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF ADHD IN CHILDREN

Children may not exhibit the same behaviours at home as at school. The inclinations may also vary depending on the task's difficulty and whether the child enjoys it. ADHD symptoms are usually observed and identified before a child's teenage years or as early as two years old.

There are three subtypes of diagnosis for children with ADHD:

Inattentive

• Children are described as spaced out, very slow or seem to be daydreaming.

• Children with inattentive type ADHD are often overlooked because they are seen as quiet and unmotivated.

Hyperactive/Impulsive

• Children are described as being too energetic and out of control.

• Children with hyperactive type ADHD feel the need for constant movement. They often fidget, struggle to stay still and run around excessively.

• They are observed with sensation seeking behaviours such as excessive talking, interrupting conversations etc.

Combined

• Children with combined-type ADHD present symptoms in both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types.

• A combined ADHD diagnosis does not mean a child’s ADHD is more severe than the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types.

• As the inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive types will need criteria of 5 or 6 symptoms to be present, children with combined type ADHD will have an equal number of symptoms in both types.

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADHD

Here are Some Signs and Symptoms that Children with ADHD might Display:

Inattentive ADHD

Hyperactivity/Impusivity ADHD

• Constantly fidgeting with their hands or feet.

• Unable to stay seated for long periods of time and they might not be able to play quietly.

• Poor organisation skills

• Impatient and might have difficulty waiting for their turn.

• Self-focused and tend to interrupt conversations.  

• Running or climbing around excessively and dangerously.

• Emotionally unstable, tend to have anger outbursts or depressive mood swings.

UNTREATED ADHD AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

Children with ADHD generally have low self-esteem, trouble socialising, and poor performance in their schoolwork. ADHD Symptoms typically vary with age and shift to other behaviours relevant to age. Although ADHD individuals may grow up and still have attention issues in adulthood, they are able to function better with appropriate treatments and therapies. With proper diagnosis and treatment, children with ADHD and attention issues are guided to develop a healthy self-image, improve social relations, and succeed academically. Without professional therapy, ADHD might trigger other conditions such as anxiety, depression, and the inability to maintain relationships, which all go on and cause long-term negative consequences affecting one's mental well-being.

WHAT ARE NOT SIGNS OF ADHD

ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorders in children. It is a very complex neurological disorder and might look similar to many other conditions. As such, it would be best for parents to seek an expert to receive proper diagnosis.

Here are some conditions that are similar but are NOT ADHD:

Learning Disabilities

Your child might be suffering from other learning disabilities with similar symptoms as ADHD that affect their studies, such as Autism or Dyspraxia.

Anxiety

An anxious child might seem distracted, jittery, or impatient. Their feelings of nervousness or panic might seem like signs of ADHD.

Stress

A stressed child might have nervous tics or restlessness when doing work or a task, as they cannot sit still for long. Stress causes tension and can lead to emotional instability, but it is not necessarily ADHD.

HOW CAN WE ALLEVIATE THE SYMPTOMS OF ADHD

Medication or Therapy? Some take prescribed medications to manage the symptoms better. At Assumption Learning, we believe in finding the root cause and designing a customised treatment program for each child to improve the condition by "rewiring the brain" to promote 'normal' growth. Therapy helps rewire the child's feelings, emotions, thoughts, and cognitions, calms their urge, thereby adjusting their behaviours to achieve conformance. We know that all children are unique and may respond differently in different situations, and there is no one same solution that would be suited for every child. As such, the treatment design caters uniquely for each child. Therapies are also considered to have lasting effects and benefits for people with ADHD.

Reach out to us for a free consultation, and together we will work out the best solution for your child.

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We offer both FREE Consultation and FREE Evaluation. Each child is unique in his/her needs. Call us now for a free evaluation upon consultation with our friendly consultant.