There is not a sane parent who assumes the worst things for their child. From the moment you deliver the baby into the world, everyone already thinks that he or she is perfect. The little one has ten toes and ten fingers; he or she cries loud, which is a sign of good health. When you return home with the infant, your only concern is when your son or daughter can walk and talk.
According to Ben Martin, Psy.D, “When people think about attention deficit disorder (ADHD), they usually consider it a childhood problem. However, a large proportion — between 30 and 70 percent — of children with the condition remain affected throughout adulthood.” Despite that, life isn’t always that carefree. Although your offspring may be growing healthily when it comes to height and weight, you might notice changes in his or her emotions and behaviors that other kids don’t experience at that age. It’s as if he or she starts to live in their own little world more and more every day, which is profoundly different from his or her old bubbly self.
In case you worry that your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a doctor still hasn’t diagnosed it yet, check if he or she exhibits the following symptoms.
Fidgeting
A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder usually cannot remain in one spot for more than a few minutes either. Regardless of how much candies or toys you promise to buy if he or she behaves, the kid cannot help but move out of the chair and roam around. The pre-school teachers may also note that he or she climbs the low cabinets or runs in the hallways during a class.
You should realize that your child may not be acting up. His ADHD may be active, and you have no idea that he has this condition. According to Kara Tamanini, M.S., LMHC, “Children who have been diagnosed with ADHD are at a much higher risk of developing noncompliant or negative behaviors than a child who does not have ADHD.”
Spacing Out
Are there moments as well when you are practically yelling in front of your kid, yet he still won’t even look at you? The child merely stays focused on the toy in their hands or stares outside the car. Even though you snap your fingers close to his face, you may not get any reaction.
The thing is, you cannot assume that this youngster is ignoring you, especially if he is just a toddler. In case you’re confident that the kid does not have a hearing defect, then it may be a symptom of ADHD.
Having Short Attention Span
The level of forgetfulness of children living with this disorder can be quite intense. You typically pique their interest for a minute or two. When you ask the kid to mention what you said, he or she might look at you blankly, your words already forgotten. Your child may not pay attention to school assignments and projects either, irrespective of how encouraging you try to be.
Not Following Instructions
Last but not the least, kids with ADHD find it troublesome to follow a list of guidelines. Say, in the morning, you instruct your child to finish his food, put the empty plate or bowl in the sink, and brush their teeth. If you don’t repeat your words next time, your baby may not even touch the food. You do it together every day, but it is as if you only told him about it five minutes ago because of how effortless the instructions slip out of his mind.
Considering you notice any of these signs in your kid, please go to a specialist soon. “Sometimes a child with ADD may be incorrectly diagnosed with a behavioral problem or a developmental disorder. It is vital that in the first step of treatment, your child or teen receives a reliable diagnosis from a child mental health specialist, such as a child psychologist or child psychiatrist.” John M. Grohol, Psy.D said. The doctor can give you further advice on how to deal with the disorder and avoid foods or activities that may trigger the symptoms. After all, although ADHD is not curable, there’s still a way to control it.
Good luck!