How to Recognize ADHD Symptoms in Children

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Is your child high spirited and unfocused -- or suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? These ADHD guidelines will help you decide if a checkup is in order.

Step 1: Note their attention span
Note their capacity for concentrating. Most young children have short attention spans, but those with ADHD don't seem to be listening even when they're spoken to. They frequently lose things; have difficult following instructions; and often make careless mistakes.

Step 2: Rate their hyperactivity
Recognize if their energy level seems excessive, even for a child. Are they unable to sit without fidgeting? Do they get in trouble at school for leaving their seat, or running and climbing excessively or inappropriately? Do they talk incessantly? Interrupt constantly?

Tip
Some children are more inattentive than hyperactive, and vice versa. Girls are more likely to have more attention problems, while boys more often fall into the hyperactive category.

Step 3: Think how long it's lasted
Consider how long the behavior has been going on. If you've observed symptoms for more than six months, it might be ADHD.

Step 4: Consider where it occurs
Note where their behavior takes place. If it's only at home, or only at school, something other than ADHD may be to blame for their symptoms.

Step 5: Gauge the seriousness
Gauge the seriousness of the problem. Children with ADHD are regularly disruptive at school and at home. Their behavior causes problems in their relationships with both adults and other children.

Step 6: See the doctor
If you recognize any of these symptoms in your child, take them to your pediatrician. It's important that they have a medical checkup to rule out other causes for their behavior before ADHD is diagnosed.

Did You Know?
Children whose mothers had smoked while pregnant were more than twice as likely to have ADHD as children whose mothers did not smoke.