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This means that all teachers need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disorder, as well as know techniques for helping children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) in the classroom.

First, teachers should understand that an ADHD diagnosis may take time, and, in fact, the input of the teacher may help to make the diagnosis earlier. For instance, if you have a child in your class who is particularly disruptive and disorganized, it’s possible that he or she is exhibiting some signs indicating a need for further evaluation.  At the other extreme, you may have a child in your class who seems very detached, looks out the window a lot, and seems to be ignoring you. This child may be having trouble focusing, and, again, may need to be evaluated to see if he or she has ADD.

Other things to look for are children who have a hard time sitting still, fidget a lot, and run around the classroom. Some children with ADD may not be able to wait their turn and just shout out answers instead of waiting to be called on. A good strategy is to document the behavior of a child you think may have ADD. This can be helpful in helping the parents to understand what is happening in the classroom, and for helping a doctor reach the correct diagnosis.

Once an evaluation is done and a proper diagnosis is reached, a child with ADD usually responds positively to a program combining medication and strategies to modify behavior. Children with ADD are much like other children with disabilities, in that teachers can be most helpful to them if they understand the disorder and are willing to modify the classroom program to accommodate them. This, of course, assumes that the teacher knows what problem the child has. You can work with special education teachers, school psychologists, and the parents to ensure that the child is diagnosed properly and then to put in place the assistance the child needs.

Most children with ADD are treated with medication. You may have seen good results in a child who starts ADHD medication (and conversely, negative results when a child forgets to take his or her medication). So, it might be tempting to suggest medication to a parent. However, a teacher should refrain from directly doing this. Instead, recommend that the parents take the child to a doctor for evaluation.

You should familiarize yourself with the side effects of ADHD medication. For instance, a child who is just started on the medication may be sleepy. However, after the first week, if the dosage is correct the child should not be sleepy or listless. You should notice that he or she is more able to focus and is not as distractible.

Teachers should understand that medication alone will not solve all of the issues a child with ADD has been having in the classroom. Specific teaching strategies will be helpful in maximizing the child’s potential in the classroom. Working together with the administration and parents is key to designing a successful education plan for the child.

While it is beyond the scope of this article to discuss teaching strategies in depth, there are a couple of simple and universal approaches. A structured classroom is best for students with ADHD. These students need to have clearly defined expectations. Breaking down assignments into smaller segments is another useful strategy. Students with ADHD may need more time to complete assignments, as well.

Mom’s Take

I always hoped that my daughter’s difficult behavior was something she would grow out of. I thought of her as a bright, lively kid who had a lot of energy. When the kindergarten teacher hinted that we should have her evaluated, I resisted the idea—and even blamed the teacher for her inability to control the class. So while we had some warning signs about our daughter’s problems in kindergarten, it wasn’t until her first grade teacher spoke candidly with us about her behavior that we woke up. It wasn’t easy to hear, but it was what we needed to get a diagnosis and start to help her.

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Why is Homework So Important?

You may wonder why your ADHD child needs to do homework at all. Educators agree that homework provides many opportunities for ADHD children to learn and practice the academic skills that they may not have the time to acquire in the school setting. Homework helps a child in the following areas: 1) review of material learned in school; 2) preparation for future class learning; 3) extension homework, which helps the child take general concepts and place them into unfamiliar contexts; and 4) creative assignments, which requires the child to take the known and produce something new and original.[1] These areas are so vital to learning, that effectively assisting children with ADHD and homework can help them to engage more actively in their school work. What the classroom setting cannot provide due to the limitations of teacher time and other distractions, homework can successfully accomplish. This is where parents can really pitch in and assist their ADHD child. The key is to get the struggle and suffering out of the equation by developing homework help uniquely designed for your ADHD child.

Let’s Get Organized

Loose papers, half-written assignments, book bags in disarray – this is most often what a parent faces when trying deal with ADHD and homework. Helping your ADHD child become more organized can be the most important step in achieving homework success. Firstly, it’s important to check and help your child organize their belongings on a daily basis, including backpacks, folders, and even pockets. Use part of homework time to help teach your ADHD child how to clean out old useless items from their backpacks. These items often distract the child, and hinder their ability to find what they need.

Once you have done this, check what is missing and then go shopping with your child to pick out school supplies that are appropriate for organizing homework. Depending on your child’s age, you may need folders, binders, and/or color-coded dividers to help them organize and file their papers. It may be helpful to buy different colored folders, notebooks, book covers and even colored pens. Then match each color to a particular subject. Buy a separate closable folder to use for homework papers. This folder will provide your child with a consistent place to store the homework papers. Then you must teach them how to file and organize themselves What may seem obvious to you is not at all obvious to the ADHD child. Your child can then store these folders in his or her backpack and sort them out each day with your help.   

Here are some other tips for helping to organize your ADHD child. Keep in mind age-appropriate tasks:

• Speak to the school about obtaining an extra set of textbooks and other materials to keep  at home.
• Help your child learn to make and use checklists, crossing items off as they are accomplished.
• Help your child learn to write down homework assignments in an assignment book and then check off completed assignments. Teach your child to break down long-term assignments and projects into smaller parts, writing each part into the assignment book. This can lessen anxiety when they see that they don’t need to do so much at once.
  • Help your child estimate how long it will take to complete each given assignment and help them plan their daily schedule accordingly. Include in this daily schedule study time for tests and other projects. This will help them learn to divide homework and study time effectively.
  • Help your child learn to plan ahead. We all know that it’s much more effective to start working on major assignments or reviewing for major tests well ahead of time rather that cramming the night before.

How Can the School Help Children with ADHD and Homework?

As a parent, you have a great deal of ability to work with teachers in helping your ADHD child with homework. Don’t underestimate how much teachers welcome and appreciate the involvement of parents in the learning process. Meet with your child’s teachers to discuss homework expectations. If appropriate, teachers can lessen the amount of homework assigned to your ADHD child and also give them extended time to complete assignments. This can be done in a way that is not noticeable to other children.

Here are other ideas that you as a parent, and the teacher can implement to make homework a success for your child:

• Ask the teacher to say the homework assignment out loud in addition to writing down all the steps necessary to complete each assignment.
• Give assignments one at a time to avoid work overload.
• Increase the quality instead of the quantity of time spent on homework:
• Give fewer and shorter homework assignments.
• Allow the child to stop practicing an activity once he/she has demonstrated the mastery of that particular skill.
• Reduce assignments into manageable sections with specific due dates.
• Give the child only the amount of work that can be done at one sitting.
• Have the teacher check the child’s assignment notebook at the end of class to make sure it is accurate. If possible, try to get a schedule of the week’s assignments so you can have them at home as a backup.
  • For the ADHD child with poor handwriting, which is very common, reduce the need or amount of handwriting required.[2]
• Set up a homework procedure at school: establish a place where the student can easily find his or her finished homework and pick an appropriate and consistent time to hand in work to the teacher.

Let’s Sit Down to do Homework!

After you have helped your ADHD child get organized (and this may be required on a daily basis) and become a partner with the teachers in establishing homework expectations, now it’s time to sit down and provide homework help!

Establishing a Set Homework Routine for your ADHD Child

Most children come home from school and need to unwind for a bit, be it with a snack and a book or to go outside and play with their friends. For the ADHD child this is especially true. You as the parent can figure out what time works best for your child to do homework and then create a daily routine that will support this decision. Stick to this routine so your child knows what to expect. If your child is on medication, it must be taken into consideration.

Children with ADHD may not be able to sit still for a long periods of time. You can give your child breaks after a predetermined amount of time so that your child can stretch or do brief exercises before resuming homework.  For example, set a timer for 15 minutes for a younger child, and allow a 5-minute break to stretch, run around, or play with a pet. The child’s work time in shorter segments will be more productive.

Designated Area for Homework

Next, you need to locate a designated area for your ADHD child to do homework. The homework area must be free from distractions, but close enough so that you can monitor and provide homework help as needed.  Also, make sure that your child has all the materials at hand. A child with ADHD who has to wander off to find a pencil will have a difficult time settling down to concentrate again.

It is also important to consider the noise level. Some children do best in quiet. Some do better with a little background noise or music. You and your child can work out which environment is most productive and then stick to it. Make the homework routine predictable and stress-free. After homework is done, check it over. Then help your child put the completed assignment in the homework folder and return all appropriate items to the book bag, zipping it up securely when done.

Positive Feed-Back

Positive feedback is extremely useful in trying to provide homework help to your ADHD child and help them remain relaxed. Check your child’s work often and compliment their efforts. Remember to point out the things your child is doing well and give reward points whenever you can. For example, it is important to tell your child the value of accuracy over speed and point out   their efforts rather than what they haven’t yet completed. These comments will motivate the child to continue to do try to more.

Some Additional ADHD Homework Help Strategies

• Allow your child to stand if sitting makes him/her jittery. Moving around may help your child to concentrate. Use a square of tape on the floor to make a box for his/her feet if he wanders too much.
• Provide textures to aid in productivity. Attach some adhesive velcro strips (soft side) to the desk for the child to rub his/her hand on, or make some stress balls of balloons filled with flour, rice, or sugar for the child to play with while they are thinking.
• Studies have shown that certain scents may aid in concentration. Try to experiment with basil, pine, peppermint, or citrus scents to see if any of these help.
• Keep your child’s mouth busy. For some children, chewing gum, or snacking on something crunchy like an apple or a cracker can help productivity. [3]

Mom’s Take:

ADHD and homework doesn’t have to cause anxiety and stress in either child or parent anymore. An ADHD child can be successful and productive during homework time with the homework help that their parents can provide. When you teach your child organizational skills, and combine that with teacher input and cooperation – and of course a positive and routine homework environment — successful homework help can produce enormous results both at home and at school.

[1]Homework success for children with ADHD: a family-school intervention program, by Thomas J. Power, James L. Karustis, Dina F. Habboushe

[2] Andries, Darcy, Homework Help for ADD, Suite101.com, August 27, 2008.

[3] Wilson, Laura, Homework Help for a Child with ADD, Suite 101.com, Feb. 22, 1010.

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1.   Hyperactive children flourish on routine and structure.  Wake-up time, meal time, homework time, and bedtime should all take place at the same time every day in order for them to feel secure.

2.   Buy a Trampoline.  I originally bought ours for our daughter who has sensory integration disorder but our son just loves to burn off some extra energy on it.

3.  The boredom box:  I read about this idea and I just loved it.  Put together a box of coloring sets, modeling clay, puzzles, paints, and any other fun things your child might be interested in.  Any time your hyperactive child is bored and has nothing to do he can pull out his boredom box…

4.  Got a dog?  Have your child take him for his morning jog.  It might be nice to allow your child to burn off some energy prior to his having to sit in school.

5.  Speaking of school… Talk to your child’s teacher about allowing your child to walk around a bit in back of the room every once in a while.  Let him be the one to hand out papers, photo copy sheets and deliver messages to the office.

6.  Sign him or her up for an exercise/dance/karate class.  My son takes a karate class on Mondays and he loves it.  And Mondays is his calmest day of the week! 

7.  Get a rocking chair.  There is nothing more calming than the rhythm of a rocking chair  My son loves to sit in ours when he reads.

8.  Another way to calm kids down – massage.  Give your child a mini-massage.  Rub his shoulders, his back, his hair.  You’ll feel his body relax.

9.  Television breeds hyperactivity.  It over stimulates the brain creating a trance like state at first and then a virtual  explosion of energy.  Try to limit television viewing time and avoid it an hour before bedtime at all costs!

Mom’s Take:

Hyperactivity can be challenging, exhausting, and often frustrating but it’s important to keep in mind that it comes with some very charming qualities as well.  Children with the hyperactive type of ADHD are also charismatic, imaginative, and fun to be around.  When I think of my son the first characteristics that pop into my head are his compassion for others, his outgoing personality, and his wonderful spontaneity.  And I know that in many ways his hyperactivity is responsible for these other unique qualities as well.  On those really bad days when you get that phone call from his teacher, or when he has decided to paint his room with his purple crayon, try to keep some of those good qualities that come with hyperactivity in the forefront of your mind. 

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Certainly, the roughhousing and impulsive behavior, common in kids with ADHD, is also evident in all kids from time to time. What separates kids with ADHD from other kids is the consistency of the behaviors. The behavior of most kids falls apart when they are tired or in an exciting environment, but generally children can control their behavior when they are well-rested and in routine.

ADHD children usually continue their hyperactive, unfocused behavior in all settings—at school, at home, at the homes of friends, at doctors’ visits, and on outings. The behavior also persists over a longer period of time. For instance, a child without ADHD might have an outburst but will return to his/her normally good behavior quickly. This just isn’t possible for the child with ADHD.

The people who make the comment quoted in the first paragraph discount the lack of control a child has over his or her behavior. While it may appear that the squirming, fidgeting, noisy child is just being “bad,” the pain the child feels is not being taken into account. Invoking the wrath of teachers, parents, and even friends, ADHD children know that their behavior is unacceptable, but just knowing does not provide the tools needed to change the behavior.

If you have a child with ADHD, you are, no doubt, exhausted and frustrated. A solid diagnosis is the beginning of change for your child—and for you. There are many techniques that can help your child to change his behavior, and there will be a period of trial and error as you learn what works for your child. Just as you have taught and modeled good behavior for your other children, you will do similar things with your ADHD children. However, there are specific ways to help your impulsive child.

Mom’s Take:

As the parent of multiple children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, I understand how hard it is to stay calm and firm at the same time—especially through the initial stages of figuring out what actually works in your specific case. For instance, behavior charts are touted as being very helpful in modifying behavior for children with ADHD. In the case of one of my children, the charts just seemed to make things worse. I found myself embroiled in a daily battle of how many stickers he had actually earned. In his case, this very good idea just wasn’t good for him. During this period, his behavior actually worsened and tension in the house increased. While I kept reminding myself to stay calm, it was extremely challenging to do so.

It wasn’t until we implemented some other behavioral techniques that our home became more peaceful. Take a deep breath; you’ll get there.

Meanwhile, get some support. One group I found to be a great resource is Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, C.H.A.D.D. To find a support group near you, see http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_Local_CHADD_Chapters.

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So what can a parent do about their child’s aggressive behavior? Dr. Lawrence Kutner suggests identifying the triggers to your child’s aggression, particularly if your child is a toddler or pre-schooler.  For example, you might take note that your child often becomes increasingly upset at a certain time of day, or perhaps in public areas.  Also, children tend to follow a certain pattern of behavior before they lose control.  Once you have determined the triggers for the aggressive behavior and can recognize the familiar patterns your child undergoes before he is about to lose control you can take the proper steps to remove your child from the environment before he explodes.  You can take him away from his music group (for example) for a few moments to regain composure.  As your child gets older he will learn more appropriate ways to cope with his frustrations.

 Spanking and verbal aggression passes on inappropriate messages and should be avoided at all costs.

 Older children and adolescents need to be taught the difference between aggression and assertiveness, according to Dr. Kutner.  He also points out that psychologists have found that both parents and older aggressive children benefit from learning to see the world through sunnier glasses as they tend to view their problems very negatively which exacerbates their frustrations and this makes it more difficult to evaluate improvement in the child’s situation.

As far as drugs are concerned researches at New York’s Stony Brook University School of Medicine have recently discovered (September 2010) that the trend in medicine to medicate ADHD children who act out aggressively with antipsychotic drugs might be a mistaken one.  The researches discovered that by  tweaking stimulant medications and combining it with behavioral therapy sessions, aggressive behavior often can be managed.

 Some experts in natural remedies are against treating children’s aggression with stimulant medications.  They feel this will simply stimulate children’s brains further and they opt for homeopathic remedies with ingredients like Hyoscyamus, Arsen iod, Tuberculinum.  They also recommend removing natural stimulants like sugar and caffeine from a child’s diet.

Mom’s Take:

Dealing with aggression is always difficult particularly with younger children and I have sometimes found myself at the end of my rope.  What I have learned is that is very important to try as hard as you can (it ain’t easy!) to separate yourself emotionally from the situation.  I know – when your child is having that tantrum in the middle of the super market and knocks over an entire shelf of eggs  he isn’t making this simple.  But taking a deep breathe and trying to distance yourself from the situation as much as possible will protect you from losing it as well.  Believe me – it looks a lot worse when both mother and child are having tantrums in the middle of the supermarket!

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You have a few options.  You can bring your child to a pediatrician,  psychologist,  psychiatrist, social worker, or  neurologist (although in  today’s insurance driven society your pediatrician is most likely to be your first step).  But you should come as prepared as possible.  The first stage of the pediatrician’s evaluation is going to be an extensive interview in which the doctor will need to know as much as he can about your child.  Try to think ahead of time about what you want to get across.

To help the professionals in diagnosing ADHD, make some notes for yourself: What are your major concerns?  When did the problems begin?  Where do they generally occur – at home?  In school?  In the playground?  With friends?  Discuss your child’s difficulties with his teachers and get the teacher’s impressions.  Bring a signed consent form for your  doctor to talk to your child’s teachers.  If you are not meeting with the pediatrician, discuss your child’s medical history with the doctor and bring a consent form for the doctor to speak to your pediatrician.  Speak to the doctor about any family issues that might be bothering your child – divorce, health problems, a move, death etc.  Anything that you can think of that relates to your child that might be significant should be passed on to the doctor.  Here is a list of things you should try to remember to bring to your appointment: Your notes, report cards and letters from teachers, names and contact information of teachers, any IQ testing, personality assessments, or any previous ADHD evaluation, individualized education plans, medical history, contact information of pediatrician,  and insurance information. All of these factors will assist you in getting the best ADHD assessment for diagnosing ADHD.

The doctor will also request a meeting with your child to get a sense of your child’s understanding of the situation.  An IQ test or a neuro-developmental screening might be requested by the doctor to rule out other conditions, in which case the doctor will discuss these matters with you.  The doctor will also perform a physical exam to rule out other things that can be confused with ADHD like a seizure disorder, hearing impairment, depression, or thyroid disease.  This extensive ADHD evaluation might require more than one visit.

 While diagnosing ADHD is not an exact science there are guidelines set out by the American Psychiatric Association in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) which is used by doctors to diagnose people with ADHD.  The criteria in the manual is as follows:

If a person has six or more of the following ADHD symptoms of inattention for at least 6 months to a point that is inappropriate for developmental levels:

 1.  Does not pay close attention to details/careless mistakes in schoolwork

2.  Has trouble keeping attention on tasks

3.  Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

4.  Does not follow through on instructions

5.  Has trouble organizing activities

6.  Avoids dislikes

7.  Loses things needed for tasks and activities

8.  Easily distracted

9.  Forgetful in daily activities

 If a person has six or more of the following ADHD symptoms for at least 6 months to the extent that it is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental levels:

1.  Fidgets with hands and feet/ squirms in seat

2.  Gets up from seat

3.  Excessively runs about

4.  Has trouble playing quietly

5.  Is often “on the go”

6.  Talks excessively (Impulsivity)

 7.  Blurts out answers before questions are finished

8.  Has trouble waiting for turn

9.   Interrupts

When diagnosing ADHD, the conclusions are as follows:

If some of these ADHD symptoms were present before age 7, some impairment from these symptoms occur in two or more settings, there is evidence that the symptoms cause impairment in social, school or work functioning and the symptoms are not caused by other disorders the child will be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  The child will be diagnosed with ADHD, predominantly inattentive type (where she exhibits symptoms from the first list but not the second), ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type  (where she exhibits symptoms from the second list but not the first), or ADHD, combined type (where she exhibits symptoms from both lists).

Mom’s Take:

When I first got the diagnosis I  must admit I was torn.  A part of me was relieved that I had an answer but another part of me was disappointed.  A diagnosis of ADHD is not a simple one.  There is no cure for ADHD.  It’s a disorder that people just have to learn to live with.  I was also a bit upset with the idea that my son would have to go about his life with this new label.  But later that night when my son and I cuddled up next to one another to read a book I realized that a diagnosis of ADHD is really in the final analysis just that – a diagnosis.  Diagnosing ADHD doesn’t define my son. It doesn’t even describe him well.  It’s just a group of letters that scientists have determined aptly describe a disorder that he has.  And we’ll learn to deal with that…later.  But for the moment we were dealing with something much more important.  We were cuddling. 

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuro-behavioral disorder that affects 3% to 5% of children globally.  We are still unsure as to the cause of ADHD, but it does seem clear that it is genetic.  Researchers have found possible links between ADHD and brain structure, the chemicals in the brain that regulate attention and activity (dopamine and norepinephrine), and the function of some of the areas in the brain that affect impulse control and attention.

There are three classifications of symptoms relating to ADHD.  The first is the hyperactive-impulsive type.  This group might display ADHD symptoms such as constant fidgeting in their seats, non-stop talking, running around, having trouble sitting still during eating time or story time, and having difficulty with quiet activities.  The second classification is the inattentive type.  This group might display ADHD symptoms such as being easily distracted, forgetting things, switching from one activity to another, not being able to focus on one thing for an extended amount of time, daydreaming, not processing information as quickly as others, and struggling to follow instructions.  The third classification is the impulsive type.  This group will display ADHD symptoms such as impatience, yelling out inappropriate comments, displaying emotions without restraint, and acting with no regard for consequences.  While many of these symptoms are normal to a certain extent, a child with ADHD will exhibit these symptoms to an extreme.

According to the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) in order for a child to receive a diagnosis of ADHD,  he or she must exhibit ADHD symptoms in at least two areas of the child’s life – in the classroom, the home, the playground, the community, or social settings.  The child must also exhibit these symptoms before the age of seven and the symptoms must continue for at least six months.

Once a child is diagnosed with ADHD a treatment plan is developed.  Often the pediatrician will work in conjunction with  specialists in order to give the child the care he requires.  Treatment plans are generally multi-tiered. They involve medication such as stimulants, psycho therapy and educational techniques.  The parent is generally the one in charge of working out the logistics.  He or she sets up the appointments with the various tutors and therapists and manages the often confusing schedule.

While it is important to discuss treatment options with doctors it is also important to keep in mind that in the final analysis only the parent can determine what is truly best for his or her child.  Therefore it is crucial for parents to stay informed.

Mom’s Take:

The best way to introduce yourself to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is to read a book on the topic.  Mary Fowler’s 20 Questions to Ask if You Child has ADHD  is the perfect book for the newly diagnosed.  It is a clear, friendly, informative, non –intimidating book that answers all your questions.  She covers the basics like: What is ADHD? And – how is it treated?  But she also covers more in depth issues like: Does my child need to be medicated?  Why is my child so emotional?  And – how can I better my child’s self worth?  If you are looking for the perfect introductory book Mary Fowler’s 20 Questions is a great place to start.

The post Understanding ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosing ADHD in Children appeared first on ADHD Notebook.

Symptoms in ChildrenADD/ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a treatable, but not curable, complex disorder that appears in childhood. ADHD is considered to be a mental health disorder as classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revised (DSM-IV-TR)[1]. In 1994 the disorder was changed from ADD to ADHD. ADHD symptoms in children can be difficult to diagnose and can be easily confused with other disorders. The main ADHD symptoms include: inattention, hyperactive and impulsive behavior.

Who has ADHD?

ADHD affects approximately 4 to 6 percent of the school age population. On average, at least one child in every classroom in the U.S. has ADHD. Also, two to three times more boys than girls are affected by this disorder. ADHD often continues into adolescence and adulthood, requiring lifelong physical and emotional adjustments.

ADHD Symptoms

ADHD symptoms typically appear before the age of seven. In some children, ADHD symptoms can be noticeable as early as infancy. However, at any age, it can often be difficult to distinguish between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and normal “kid” behavior.

At one time or another, most healthy children are inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive. For example, parents may worry that their 3-year-old who can’t sit still during story time may have ADHD. But most preschoolers normally have a short attention span and cannot stick with one activity for too long. Even in older children and adolescents, attention span can often depend on the level of interest. We all know teens that can listen to music or talk to their friends for hours, but are a lot less focused when it comes to doing their homework or chores.

The same is true of hyperactivity. Young children are naturally energetic, often wearing their parents out long before they’re even tired. Children may become even more active when tired, hungry, anxious or in a new environment. Also, some children are just naturally more active than others. While some of these behaviors are normal, severity and consistency in any of these types of behaviors may indicate that your child has ADHD.

It important to note that children who have problems in school but get along well at home or with friends are not considered as having ADHD. The same is true of children who are hyperactive or inattentive only at home, but whose schoolwork and friendships aren’t affected by their behavior.

Main Symptoms of ADD/ADHD

The main symptoms of ADHD in children are serious and consistent difficulties in the following three areas:

• inattentiveness or “distractibility” – poor attention span
• impulsivity – weak impulse control and delay of gratification
• hyperactivity – excessive activity or restlessness (but, not in all cases). Up to 30 percent of children with ADHD are not hyperactive at all, but still have trouble focusing.[2]

Many children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are naturally inclined to fall into one category more than the other. However, most children with ADHD have some combination of both inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior.

Inattentive symptoms of ADHD

Children who only show inattentive symptoms of ADHD are often overlooked since they are not disruptive. However, inattentive sypmtoms have consequences of their own. A child may get into trouble with parents and teachers for not following directions; underperforming in school; or fighting with other kids over not playing by the rules. Here is a checklist for discovering inattentive symptoms of ADHD in your child:

• Gets  easily distracted, misses details, forgets things, and frequently switches from one activity to another
• Has difficulty focusing on one thing
• Becomes quickly bored with a task, unless doing something enjoyable
• Has difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
• Has trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g. pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to
• Daydreams, becomes easily confused, and moves slowly
• Has difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Struggles to follow instructions.

Hyperactive/Impulsive symptoms of ADHD

The more obvious symptoms of ADHD in children are hyperactive and impulsivity. These are the kids that are always on the go, bouncing from one task to the other but never completing any of them. Even when forced to sit still – which can be very difficult for them – their foot is tapping, their leg is shaking, or their fingers are drumming. These children often find it difficult to pay close attention to what is going on at school, often getting into trouble. It is more challenging for them to organize their schoolwork and their time than it is for most children. Children with symptoms of ADHD also have trouble concentrating on one thing if there are other things going on around them; they usually need a calm, quiet environment in order to sustain attention.

Here is a checklist for discovering hyperactive symptoms of ADHD in your child:

• Fidgets and squirm in their seats
• Talks nonstop
• Dashes around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Has trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
• Is  constantly in motion
• Has difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

Here is a checklist for discovering impulsive symptoms of ADHD in your child:

• Is very impatient
• Blurts out inappropriate comments, shows their emotions without restraint, and acts without regard for consequences
• Has difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
• Often interrupts conversations or others’ activities.

Symptoms of ADHD in children may also be displayed as a Combined Type: having six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

ADD/ADHD: Symptoms Different in Boys and Girls

It is also important to note that ADHD symptoms usually manifest themselves differently in boys and girls:

• Boys are more likely to be hyperactive, whereas girls tend to be inattentive.
• Girls who have trouble paying attention often daydream, but inattentive boys are more likely to fool around or fiddle aimlessly.
• Boys tend to be less compliant with teachers and other adults, so their behavior is often more noticeable.

When to seek professional help

ADHD symptoms in children vary greatly therefore it is important to seek professional help in diagnosing the disorder.  If the signs of ADHD as described above last more than six months; occur in more than just one setting (typically at home and at school); regularly disrupt school, play and other daily activities and cause problems in relationships with adults and other children-it’s time to get help.

[1] Fowler, Mary,  ADHD What are the Signs? FamilyEducation.com

[2] Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD/ADD) University of Maryland Medicine, May 12. 2003.

The post ADHD Symptoms in Children appeared first on ADHD Notebook.

Turning the Stress of ADHD Holidays  into Success

There is no doubt about it: Holiday periods mean an excess of free time for children at home, lack of structure, collapse of day-to-day routines, and ADHD children feeling out of control. To reduce stress this holiday season, follow these simple guidelines to success:

• As much as possible, maintain the types of schedules and activities which adhere to those followed during school days.
• Since too much leisure time for ADHD kids is an invitation for trouble, make a list of holiday expectations, as well as a list of the things they want to do and map these out on a whiteboard or on the refrigerator for your kids to see. To reinforce the behaviors agreed upon, post a list of holiday rules/rewards which may include bed-making, eating three meals a day, avoiding yelling and hitting, etc.
• Schedule in daily physical activity, i.e. a fun family outing in nature. Exercise helps ADHD children sleep better, de-stress, and calms their hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
• Avoid over-scheduling: Leisure time away from all the hustle and bustle is just as important. Be sure your kids have some down time every day and that you and/or your spouse enjoy some private time as well.
• Develop coping strategies with your child, i.e., rehearsing calming-down techniques, role-playing worrisome scenarios, or developing a set of cues which let you know when they are feeling overwhelmed or impulsive; when they give the signal, have a back-up plan in place, i.e. some private play time, a talk to help calm them down. If your child is unable to recognize his/her over-stimulation, plan an early exit strategy to avoid a public meltdown.
• To orchestrate a peaceful holiday gathering with family members or friends who don’t understand, some helpful comments or explanations prior to your visit may be in order, for example: “Bobby sometimes has a hard time calming down; if we leave the table early, please carry on and we’ll return when we can.”
• Be generous with hugs, a warm touch, a reassuring look, words of encouragement, and positive attention.

To Medicate or Not to Medicate

To medicate or not to medicate during the holiday season – that is the question. While the experts have long debated the pros and cons of giving ADHD kids a break from their meds on weekends, the summer, and holiday periods, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It boils down to what works best for you, your child, and your family. Here are some rules of thumb to help you determine whether or not a drug holiday is in order:

• If hyperactivity interferes with your child’s ability to interact/socialize with family and friends, medication should probably continue (some parents advocate increasing time on medication in order to maximize the enjoyment of the high-energy holiday period)
• If hyperactivity is not an overriding issue and the attention deficit is primarily a problem in school, many parents opt to discontinue medications over the holidays.
• Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a highly structured home environment may compensate for a child’s deficits, decreasing the need for extended medication.

ADHD Mom’s Take: Greatest Holiday Gifts

The greatest gifts you can give your ADHD child are those which don’t need to be wrapped or placed under a tree. This year, give your children the gift of your undivided time, attention, understanding, support, and encouragement – and enjoy wrapping up the holidays on a high note!

The post ADHD Guide for the Holidays appeared first on ADHD Notebook.