Picture the child who cannot sit still, who seems motor-driven, who cannot stop talking. This is what ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, looks like. While the American Academy of Pediatrics says children cannot be diagnosed until age 6, warning signs are often present as early as birth. Parents should discuss their concerns with their pediatrician, as early intervention is key to successful management of ADHD.
Renowned pediatrician Dr. William Sears advises parents to focus on the bright side of ADHD. While these children are functionally limited, they are also particularly creative, tenacious, productive and able to focus intensely on what interests them. Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln are all suspected to have lived with ADHD.
Inattention
Children with ADHD have difficulty paying attention to what other people ask them to do. In school, a child may not complete homework and may lose materials needed to complete the work. Teachers often complain these children do not listen.
In untreated adults, this involve forgetfulness, an inability to follow instructions and distraction. The person may repeatedly be asked to more detail oriented in work performance evaluations.
Impulsivity
Children with ADHD cannot wait their turn on the playground. They often have difficulty maintaining friendships because they interrupt and invade the personal space of others. Teachers often have to ask these children to wait until the questions are complete before they blurt out the answers.
Left untreated, this manifests itself in adults as a tendency to interrupt or blurt inappropriate comments. These adults are generally impatient and have an inability to wait in lines or sit in traffic.
Hyperactivity
ADHD children are hyperactive. They cannot remain in their seats at school or play independently. Teachers often have to ask these children to remain quiet.
In untreated adults, this looks like constant motion. The person may fidget, squirm and tap while sitting at work.
Depression
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents and teachers that children with ADHD are likely to suffer from lowered self-esteem. It is vital these children get early support and treatment to help them excel at school, or these symptoms can manifest themselves as depression and anxiety in adulthood.
