Are you worried that your child’s attention problems could be warning signs of ADHD?
Despite millions of children being diagnosed with ADHD in the US, there are still a lot of misconceptions and inaccuracies regarding this childhood disorder. Whether one of our Jacksonville, FL, pediatricians Dr. Alexandra Kostur, Dr. Roman Criollo and Dr. Sara Dahbour has already diagnosed your child with ADHD or you suspect that your child may have it, here are some things that every parent should know.
There are Three Classic ADHD Symptoms
The main symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattentiveness. Children with ADHD do not need to display all three symptoms in order to receive a diagnosis. In fact, some children may only display one of these symptoms while other children may display all three. Just like other health problems, symptoms ADHD vary from child to child. If in doubt, talk with our Jacksonville, FL, pediatricians to find out if your child’s behaviors could be signs of ADHD.
There are Different Types of ADHD
Just as there are three classic symptoms of ADHD there are also three main types,
- Predominantly inattentive: Children with this type of ADHD have a lot of difficulty concentrating, staying focused and following instructions. They are also most likely to become disruptive in class.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: Just as the name suggests, children with this type of ADHD are both hyperactive and impulsive, meaning that they have trouble sitting still or waiting their turn; they are often disruptive in class and may have lots of excess energy. This excess energy also means that they typically have trouble sitting still or playing quietly.
- Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive: This is the most common type of ADHD and children with this type will display all three main symptoms. Children and teens will this type of ADHD are often disruptive and forgetful, and may have trouble concentrating and staying focused. They are also likely to leave tasks incomplete, make careless mistakes and exhibit above-average energy levels.
ADHD is a Brain Disorder
Studies have shown that people with ADHD have brains that are structurally different from those who do not, so simply trying to get your child to focus more or work harder isn’t the key. ADHD also has a genetic component, so parents who have ADHD are also more likely to have children with this disorder.
A Pediatrician Can Diagnose ADHD
Many of the symptoms of ADHD are also the result of other problems such as behavioral disorders, trauma or anxiety. This is why it’s best to turn to our Jacksonville, FL, pediatricians for a definitive ADHD diagnosis. There are several factors that will need to be present in order to make a proper diagnosis including,
- How long your child has been displaying symptoms
- The type of symptoms they are experiencing
- Whether these symptoms are impacting several environments (e.g. school; home; social interactions)
Is your child displaying symptoms of ADHD? If so, call Jacksonville Kids Pediatrics in Jacksonville, FL, at (904) 446-9991 to schedule an evaluation with one of our qualified pediatricians.