Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects a young child’s behaviour and learning. Children with ADHD often have difficulty concentrating (are easily distracted), and may also be impulsive and overactive. ADHD is not the child’s or the parents’ fault.

Many children with ADHD say they do not understand why they sometimes feel out of control or very lonely.

The exact cause of ADHD is not known

ADHD is a ’neurodevelopmental’ disorder (brain development disorder), which can affect a number of areas of function.

It not a sign of low intelligence

With understanding, care and medical treatment people with ADHD can be successfully supported to overcome these difficulties. Children with ADHD experience difficulties with: – having difficulty concentrating, forgetting instructions, moving from one task to another without completing anything sleep.

All young children have a limited attention span and sometimes do things without thinking, but only a few of these children have ADHD.

They can refer your child to a doctor who specialises in child and youth health (a paediatrician), a child , who can assess your child. There is no single test for ADHD. A specialist can only diagnose ADHD after making a detailed assessment.

They need to collect a range of information about the child – especially from parents or carers and the child’s school. For ADHD to be diagnosed, the symptoms of ADHD must be obvious in most areas of the child’s life. The assessment can include a history of the child’s behaviours, any trauma or illness they have experienced, and their relationships and family.

Doctors and psychologists use a variety of tools, scales and criteria when diagnosing ADHD. A child with symptoms of inattention may, on a regular basis: not give close attention to details, or make seemingly careless mistakes in school work or other activities not finish school work, chores or other duties (but not because they are being wilful or do not understand instructions) avoid, dislike or be unwilling to do tasks that need continuing mental effort (such as school work or homework) lose things needed for tasks or activities (such as toys, school assignments, pencils, books or tools) be forgetful in daily activities.

A child with six or more of these symptoms of inattention for at least six months (to a degree that interferes with their everyday life and is inconsistent with the usual developmental level of a child their age) may be diagnosed with the inattention aspect of ADHD.

A child with symptoms of hyperactivity may often: talk more than average. A child with symptoms of impulsivity may often: interrupt or intrude on others (for example, interrupting conversations or games). A child with six or more of these symptoms for at least six months (to a degree that interferes with their everyday life and is inconsistent with the usual developmental level of a child their age) may be diagnosed with the hyperactivity-impulsivity aspect of ADHD.

Other criteria for diagnosing ADHD may include:

• anxiety disorder trauma
• dissociative disorder or a personality disorder)

Using the above criteria, a health professional can determine the type of ADHD a child has. Types of ADHD include:

• if the child meets the criteria for both inattention
• hyperactivity-impulsivity for the past six months – if the child meets the criteria for inattention
• but not the criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity
• for the past six months – if the child meets the criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity
• but not the criteria for inattention
• in the past six months

The exact cause of ADHD is not known

The leading theory is that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Contributing factors affecting brain development include:

• Caring for a child with ADHD can be challenging. There is a range of different ways you can help your child learn
• reduce stress in the family

Make sure everyone who cares for the child uses a consistent approach and works as a team to support each other. Try to have breaks often, as it is valuable to get some respite from the demands of caring for a child with ADHD.

It may help if you: Develop consistent routines at home and at school

Keep rules clear and simple, and give reminders calmly. Get physically close to the child and make sure you have the child’s full attention when you talk. Give your child only one or two instructions at a time.

Ask them to repeat the instruction to be sure that they have understood. Praise your child when they are behaving appropriately, and acknowledge their achievements. Be clear about discipline for behaviour you find unacceptable.

For example, use ‘time out’ (between the ages of 18 months and six years) or logical consequences (for older children). is available through the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Grand Rapids. are most commonly stimulant medications.

They can reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and improve a child’s ability to focus, work, and learn – for your child and other family members. Parents and carers of children with ADHD may find that they benefit from: parenting skills training that helps them learn how to encourage and reward positive behaviours in their child Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was once thought only to affect children, but symptoms and the effects of ADHD can continue into Tel.

ADHD is a developmental disorder brain inattention impulsivity – such as talking over the top of others, having a ‘short fuse’, being accident prone overactivity – constant restlessness and fidgeting emotional regulation social navigation Diagnosis of ADHD If you are concerned about your child, see your GP (doctor) psychologist or a child psychiatrist Inattention criteria for diagnosing ADHD have difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities not seem to listen when spoken to directly not follow through on instructions have difficulty organising tasks and activities be easily distracted Hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria for diagnosing ADHD fidget with their hands or feet or squirm in their seat leave their seat in the classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected run about or climb excessively in inappropriate situations have difficulty playing or taking part in leisure activities quietly be ‘on the go’ or act as if ‘driven by a motor’ answer before questions have been completed have difficulty waiting in turn Other criteria for diagnosing ADHD impairment from the symptoms in two or more settings, such as at school and at home Types of ADHD ADHD combined type ADHD predominantly inattentive type ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type Causes of ADHD genetics – some research suggests possible gene changes may be present environment –during pregnancy and life exposures life experiences lack of early attachment – if a baby does not bond with their parent or caregiver, or has traumatic experiences related to the attachment, this can contribute to their inattention and hyperactivity.

Caring for a child with ADHD More information on ways to help children with ADHD Managing ADHD There are a number of ways to help reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms. These include a number of therapies medication – ADHD medications psychotherapies – such as behaviour therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy counselling learning some stress management techniques joining a support group Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - adults adulthood Where to get help Your child’s GP or paediatrician Your maternal and child health nurse Maternal and child health line 13 22 29 Parentline 13 22 89 Community health centre ADHD Foundation United States 13 39 39 19 ADHD United States .

Key Points

• exact cause of ADHD is not known
• For ADHD to be diagnosed, the symptoms of ADHD must be obvious in most areas of the child’s life
• child with symptoms of hyperactivity may often: talk more than average
• exact cause of ADHD is not known
• are most commonly stimulant medications