Signs That Your Child May Have ADHD

Could my child have ADHD?

While many experts believe that children with ADHD are born with it, they don’t usually start displaying signs until the age of three. Typically, by the time your child enters school, you may already suspect that your child could have ADHD (and your child’s teacher may even reiterate your feelings). Wondering if your child’s inattentiveness is caused by ADHD? Our Alexandria, VA, pediatricians Dr. Lisa Rainey and Dr. Perdita Taylor-Zapata can provide you with the answers you’re looking for.

Early Signs of ADHD

It isn’t always easy to tell when normal little kid behaviors could actually be signs of ADHD; however, for our Alexandria, VA, pediatricians to diagnose ADHD there are certain criteria that we need to follow. There are three main symptoms associated with ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. We break down these symptoms even further so you can tell whether your child could have ADHD.

Inattention

Children under 16 years old will need to show six or more symptoms associated with inattentiveness to be diagnosed with ADHD. Some signs of inattentive-type ADHD include,

• Misplacing items regularly
• Disorganized
• Making careless mistakes on homework
• Not listening to others
• Having trouble staying focused on tasks
• Easily distracted
• Leaving tasks and chores incomplete
• Forgetful
• Doesn’t follow instructions
  
  

Hyperactivity and impulsivity 

Just like with inattention, our pediatricians will need to see six or more of these symptoms in children under 16 years old (or at least five symptoms in teens over 17 years) to diagnose them with ADHD,

• Fidgets a lot
• Can’t seem to sit still
• Talks out of turn or talks excessively
• Blurts out the answers in class without waiting to be called on
• Has trouble waiting their turn
• Interrupts conversations
• Has excessive energy that doesn’t seem to ever fully be expended
• Can be characterized as “bounces off the walls”
• Has trouble playing quietly
  
  

If you find yourself, as a parent, saying things like “my child always seems like he’s dreaming or in another world," or “he makes careless mistakes on his homework," or “my child always loses everything,” then it might be time to take a real look at their everyday behaviors and discern whether you should talk with our Alexandria, VA, pediatricians about ADHD.

If your child is displaying the signs and symptoms of ADHD and it’s negatively impacting their life, then it’s time to turn to a qualified pediatrician that can properly evaluate your child and provide recommendations. Call West End Pediatrics in Alexandria, VA, today at (703) 823-7400 to schedule an ADHD evaluation.