Children with ADHD have specific characteristics of the three main ADHD symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 key behaviors may indicate your child has ADHD. There are two groups of behaviors: inattention, with nine behaviors; and a combined hyperactive and impulsive group with six hyperactive and three impulsive behaviors.
Early signs of ADHD in children
According to the updated guidelines, boys are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, which may be because hyperactive behavior is easy to identify and is more common in boys.
The 18 behaviors are: 9 Signs of Inattention Often does not pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
- Often has difficulty paying attention to tasks or play activities
- Often does not seem to listen to direct speech eg, loses concentration, wanders off)
- Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Often avoids, dislikes, or does not want to do tasks that require mental effort for long periods (e.g., school work or homework)
- Frequently loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g., school supplies, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, glasses, mobile phones) \
- Often easily distracted
- Often fails to follow instructions
- Engages in daily activities with hyperactivity
- Often forgetful
9 signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity
- Often shakes or taps arms or legs or cuts into a seat
- Often leaves seat in situations where it is expected to remain still
- Often runs around or climbs in situations where this is not appropriate (in teenagers or adults may just feel anxious)
- Often unable to play quietly or participate in leisure activities
- Often moves, acting as if driven by a motor
- Often talks too much
- Answers impulsively even before the question is completed
- Often blurts out an answer before asking a question.
Do ADHD symptoms differ between toddlers and teenagers?
Symptoms of hyperactivity often worsen in teenagers and adults with ADHD, but most of the criteria do not change with age. However, as noted above, individuals 17 years of age or older only need five symptoms instead of six to confirm an ADHD diagnosis.
When to seek professional help for a child?
The first thing parents should look for when diagnosing ADHD is functional impairment, that is, interference with the child’s daily activities in any important area of life, including home, school, and peers; and, other important activities (sports, entertainment, camps). This dysfunction should be directly related to problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity, says Yamalis Diaz, PhD, a child psychologist specializing in ADHD at NYU Langone and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatrics.
Where will my child be treated for ADHD?
If you suspect your child may have ADHD, first discuss your initial concerns with a pediatrician, who can guide you on what to do next. However, an accurate diagnosis of ADHD requires a more holistic approach to evaluation by a mental health professional, such as a child psychologist or psychiatrist, a licensed clinical social worker, or a licensed mental health counselor.
Bottom Line
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you should ask the professionals who made the diagnosis to help them with the following steps: Identify the underlying problems. Plan the next steps. Just knowing your child has ADHD is only the first step in understanding your child’s difficulties, sometimes it may be more important to know how ADHD affects your child’s functioning and what can help reduce and manage those challenges.
