According to the Partners Resource Network, 3 percent to 5 percent of school-age children in the United States suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD can be challenging because the disorder has three subtypes with somewhat different symptoms: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, and a combination. There are some basic methods to try at home to help identify whether ADHD is a possibility with your child.
Step 1
Observe your child while he is doing his homework. Does he find it difficult to sit still? Is he easily distracted from his work? Does he get bored and switch from one task to another, never finishing any of them? These are all classic signs of ADHD.
Step 2
Take a look at your child's homework. Does it look messy? Do you see many careless mistakes? Is the work done in the last minute and in a hurry? Children with ADHD typically rush through their homework.
Step 3
Talk to your child's teacher. Does she say that your child often forgets his books at home? Does your child disturb others in the classroom? Is she often daydreaming instead of focusing on her schoolwork? Children with hyperactive ADHD often cause lots of trouble in the classroom and those with inattentive ADHD do not pay attention to what the teacher is saying.
Step 4
Have a conversation with your child or play a game with her. Is she unable to repeat what you just told her? Does she seem to be daydreaming while you are talking to her? Does she drift from one topic to another during a conversation? Can she follow the rules of a game? Can she wait for her turn? Children with ADHD often have difficulties in social settings due to this kind of behavior.
Tips and Warnings
- Inattentive ADHD type is typically diagnosed years later than hyperactive ADHD because these children do not typically disturb others in the classroom. Pay close attention to the signs of inattentive ADHD, such as forgetfulness and careless mistakes. In order for ADHD to be diagnosed, the symptoms must have started before a child turned 7 and lasted at least six months.
- The early signs of pediatric bipolar disorder often mimic those seen in ADHD. Let a psychiatrist determine if your child suffers from ADHD or bipolar disorder. Substance abuse is quite common among adolescents with ADHD. Pay close attention to any signs of alcohol or drug abuse in your child.
Things You'll Need
- Your child's homework assignments
- Your child's teacher's phone number
- Board game
References
- National Resource Center on AD/HD: AD/HD and Co-Existing Disorders
- Partners Resource Network: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- St. Louis Psychologists and Counseling: ADHD: What is the Developmental Course?
- Healthy Place: Impact of ADHD on School Performance
- Janssen-Ortho: ADHD & Coexisting Disorders in Children
