Knowing What to look For

Children will do what children do best, play and have fun. To know if your child has ADHD or not, you must be able to recognize the signs. Not every child who is showing a little hyperactivity, should be classified as having ADHD. For one thing as a mother, try to understand what is ADHD. Once you have a better understanding of the disorder, it easier to see the signs. So what is ADHD and what are the signs? I have underlined a few easy and simple point to help guide other parents in knowing whether a child is showing signs of ADHD or not.
What is ADHD?
* ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
* It is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder.
* It is a commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children.
* It effects 3 to 5% of children globally.
* More common in boys than girls.

When are the signs?

(0-12month) Infancy

* More fidgety or squirmy
* Less able or less interested in cuddling
* Impatient, easily frustrated
* Require more attention than average baby
* May sleep less or take short catnaps

Toddler (1 to 3 years)

* Inability to sustain attention for even a few minutes
* Constantly distracted by sights and sounds around them
* Difficulty sustaining eye contact
* Able to pay attention to certain high interest things such as a favorite video game or playing outside when high energy levels are required
* Excessively hyperactive
* Always in motion
* Lack of interest in cuddling or quiet activities
* Difficulty calming down after becoming excited
* Highly impulsive: will jump off of decks, slides or out of windows, will run into the street more often
* Accident-prone
* Difficulty sleeping, may have a hard time falling asleep and may be up at 5:00 AM each morning

Preschool

* Inability to sit still
* Lack of interest in quiet activities or in listening to stories
* Changes activities every few minutes
* Inconsistency in attention skills, may be able to hold attention when an activity is interesting, but not able to keep attention for other activities
* Always in motion, sometimes running without looking, may run into street or fall often
* Poor social skills
* Behavioral problems, not listening, disobeying or consistent unsafe behaviors
* Can be clumsy or have underdeveloped coordination
* May grab toys from classmates, siblings or friends
* Difficulty waiting for their turn
* May be aggressive, causing fights or hitting other children
* Can be talkative with signs of speech impairment