ADHD

Who can have ADHD?

Millions of adults have undiagnosed ADHD. This is because symptoms first appear between the ages of three and six years old, with children on average being seven years old when they’re diagnosed. For years, ADHD was considered a childhood disease that people outgrow, but that isn’t the case. Those with it just become better at managing it.

Males are more likely to be diagnosed than females because of how the symptoms manifest. Males tend to display the more boisterous signs typically associated with ADHD, whereas those in females are less obvious — symptoms in females are often explained as their “being away with the fairies.

What are the signs of ADHD?

Symptoms vary from person-to-person; however, medical professionals generally agree that the most common symptoms are:

• Difficulty sitting still
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Trouble staying organized
• Trouble remembering things
• Difficulty completing tasks

Your pediatrician will observe your child’s behavior and conduct a physical and neurologic examination to diagnose whether they have ADHD.

What causes ADHD?

It isn’t always possible to pinpoint the exact cause of ADHD; however, there’s often a clear correlation between cause and effect.

Genetics

ADHD can run in families, and studies have shown that you’re more likely to have ADHD yourself if another family member is diagnosed.

Development

Children born prematurely (usually at 28 weeks or earlier) have an extremely high propensity to develop ADHD because their central nervous system didn’t develop in the same way that the nervous system of a full-term baby does.

Environment

Exposure to certain environmental factors (such as lead exposure) can increase the risk of developing ADHD.

Can you treat ADHD?

Though there’s no cure for ADHD, you can manage it. Treatment varies for each person. Medication is successful, but many people find that therapeutic methods work just as well, such as behavior therapy, psychotherapy, and social skills training.

Many parents are conflicted between what’s best for their child and what the school expects the treatment to be. Often, a child’s condition is worsened by a school’s failure to acknowledge the best way of managing it.

The team at Kids Central Pediatrics has your child’s best interests as their priority, and they work closely with you to understand the behaviors you see and how your child is feeling. If you think your child has ADHD or would like help managing the symptoms and treatment, call Kids Central Pediatrics today or schedule an appointment online.