Signs of ADHD in kids

Does your child have a hard time listening at school? When you ask them to do their homework, is it really challenging for your child to complete their assigned tasks? Nobody likes homework, but if your child seems to be distracted by just about anything, they might be showing signs of ADHD. Along these same lines, other symptoms of ADHD in kids include lack of organizational skills, inability to listen and forgetfulness.

It’s normal for small children to have lots of energy, but if you notice that your child has unusually high energy for months at a time, they might be dealing with ADHD. Some signs of hyperactive kids include excessive fidgeting or an inability to sit still and speaking for long stretches of time without stopping. Signs of impulsivity include things like finding it difficult to wait quietly or take turns.

Behavioral therapy is typically the first thing a professional will recommend you try with your kid, especially for children under the age of 6. During therapy, parents learn new skills and strategies to help them implement structure in their child’s life. They reward the child when he or she displays positive behavior. If negative behavior persists, they provide fair and consistent discipline. Behavioral therapy for ADHD in kids usually consists of things like establishing more structure around the house or giving your child more responsibility over certain tasks (like getting themselves dressed for school each day). If your kid is able to get dressed in a timely manner without getting distracted, you praise them. If they continue to get sidetracked and hang out in their PJs, you use age-appropriate disciplinary strategies. This type of behavior modification can have lasting benefits for the child, such as teaching impulse control, organizational skills and time management.

Collecting neurofeedback on your child can help them learn how to concentrate more fully, and is especially useful for hyperactive kids. A health professional places electroencephalograph (EEG) sensors on the outside of your child’s head, and the machine connected to the EEG sensors monitors the brain for activity. Your child will be prompted to complete an activity, often in the form of a game, in which their brain activity serves as controls. For example, if the activity were to navigate a car through obstacles, the EEG sensors would pick up your child’s brain waves, causing movement on the screen, such as the car moving down a road or over a bridge. The results can help to show your kid what true concentration feels like, and can help your medical professional notice any patterns in your child’s attention span.

Your mood and overall mental health is greatly affected by your diet, and the same is true for your kids! The first step is examining what your child is currently eating; you want to reduce processed foods and too many sugary items. Opt instead for protein-rich foods, which can help the brain to create neurotransmitters, or helpful chemicals that increase the brain cells’ ability to properly communicate and function. If you have a picky eater on your hands, try to stick to real foods when possible, but you can also try supplements such as magnesium and iron, which can help to rein in some of the symptoms of ADHD in kids.

This can be a difficult area for parents to grapple with. It is certainly worth trying other methods, but sometimes, ADHD medication for children is necessary. Speak with a doctor about starting your child on a low dosage of an ADHD medication if you find that other treatments aren’t working. There’s no blanket medication or dosage routine, meaning you’ll need to make sure your child’s medication is tailored to suit their needs. The process can involve a few rounds of trial and error, which is why you start with a low dose, but in the end, if the medication works, it is all worth it. Your child will have an easier time focusing and listening, setting them up for success in school and at home.