While this list is not exhaustive, here are some common myths about ADHD:

1. ADHD is not a medical problem
2. Bad parenting causes ADHD
3. ADHD is much more common in boys than girls
4. ADHD is over-diagnosed
5. People with ADHD are just lazy or developmentally delayed
6. An ADHD diagnosis can be confirmed if stimulant medication is effective
7. Children diagnosed with ADHD will outgrow the disorder
8. Children treated with ADHD medications will abuse drugs when they get older
9. Only children who are hyperactive have ADHD
10. ADHD medication cures ADHD

ADHD is not a medical problem.

ADHD is a legitimate medical diagnosis. The American Psychiatric Society labels Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or Attention Deficit Disorder) a medical disorder, as does the US Department of Education and the National Institutes of Health.  A great deal of research has been conducted, and the conclusion is that ADHD results from problems with the neurotransmitters in the brain. This results in behavioral changes, including impulsivity, attention issues, and sometimes in hyperactivity.

Bad parenting causes ADHD

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have biological problems making it difficult to control impulses and behavior. Diligent parents may have tried to teach their children to behave, but the brain chemistry is always working against them. It is easy to label children with ADHD as “brats” or “undisciplined,” but the facts are that the changes in their brain are to blame—not the parents.

ADHD is much more common in boys than girls

Because of this myth, it is true that more boys are diagnosed with ADHD than are girls, but there is no evidence that girls are not just as susceptible to the disorder as are boys.

ADHD is over-diagnosed

About 3% to 7% of school-age children in the U.S. have an ADHD diagnosis. Because there is no one test that conclusively diagnoses ADHD, there may be cases of misdiagnosis, but some experts believe that it is more likely that the disorder is under-diagnosed. This is particularly true in the case of girls. Unfortunately, many children go untreated.

People with ADHD are just lazy or developmentally delayed

A person’s intellectual ability is totally unrelated to ADHD. While people who are developmentally delayed can have ADHD, many extremely intelligent people also have the disorder. Untreated ADHD can lead to problems with schoolwork, but, again, this is not because of intellectual abilities.

An ADHD diagnosis can be confirmed if stimulant medication is effective

Some people think that giving stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, can be used as a test to confirm an ADHD diagnosis. However, even children without the disorder can respond to these medications and exhibit behavior changes. A trial of medicine alone is not recommended as a way to diagnose ADHD.

Children diagnosed with ADHD will outgrow the disorder

The vast majority of people an ADHD diagnosis as children continue to have the disorder as teenagers and as adults. Unfortunately, most adults with ADHD do not get a diagnosis and, therefore, do not get treatment. These undiagnosed people are prone to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

The good news is that if a child is diagnosed early, he or she can learn coping mechanisms, get support, and find the right medication, if necessary, to develop into highly productive adults.

Children treated with ADHD medications will abuse drugs when they get older

Untreated ADHD is actually more likely to lead to substance abuse. If children get the support they need, in the form of behavior therapy, medication, and parental understanding, the risk of drug and alcohol abuse is reduced.

Only children who are hyperactive have ADHD

While many children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder do exhibit hyperactivity, not all do. ADHD is now used to refer both the ADHD and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Some children fall into a category of hyperactivity and impulsivity; some children only exhibit the inattention part of the disorder; and still others exhibit both

ADHD medications cure ADHD

ADHD medications don’t cure the ADHD, but they can be very effective at treating some of the symptoms of the disorder.

While psycho-stimulant medication can help many children with ADHD to be less hyperactive and more focused, medication should be just part of the treatment plan. Other parts of the plan may include psychotherapy and behavior modification therapy.

Mom’s Take:

I guess it makes sense that the myth that hurts the most is number 2, that bad parenting is at fault. I even believed that myself in the beginning. I’d be at the playground with my daughter, and the other mothers were sitting and chatting while their kids played together. I never got to sit down because of the constant barrage of trouble my daughter was causing. She took someone’s toy, she pulled another’s hair, she ran out of the fenced area around the playground and into the street, she screamed for no apparent reason—I could go on. And I saw the way the other mothers looked at me. I felt that I was inadequate to handle my own child and that they knew it. That, of course, was before we got help, but I still hate to think of those days.

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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.

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