Sometimes parents tend to dismiss their child's short attention span or anxiety because they think he's "just being a kid." However, these characteristics may mean something more when they happen too often. Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD as it is sometimes called, is a behavioral disorder that can impair a child's social or academic life. Fortunately, there are signs to watch for in order to treat the problem early.
Inattention
A child with ADD may have a hard time focusing in school, paying attention to what her parents are saying, is forgetful in day to day activities, or is easily distracted, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Affected children may also frequently daydream and have difficulty processing information as fast as their peers, according to The National Institute of Mental Health. Having a hard time paying attention to the task at hand can affect a child's future habits as an adult. Poor school habits such as careless mistakes, procrastination and forgetfulness may translate to problems in the workforce, which will make it difficult to keep a steady job.
Impulsivity
Signs of impulsiveness in children include impatience, interrupting someone who is speaking, acting without thinking or disrupting activities, according to the University of Chicago. Parents have to be especially careful with impulsive children as their behavior may lead to accidents such as breaking objects or running into other people. Acting without thinking may also lead to dangerous situations such as playing with sharp objects, as these children tend to do things without considering any consequences.
Hyperactivity
Children who cannot sit still, fidget with their hands or feet, talk excessively, frequently get up to walk or run around, or have a hard time playing quietly may be hyperactive, a sign of ADD, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Hyperactive children tend to always be in motion, whether they're running in the house or jumping on furniture. Such behavior may have an impact on social relationships with peers and performance in the classroom. Medication is available to help treat hyperactivity or other symptoms of ADD, but since reaction to treatment differs among patients, working closely with your physician is important in order to get the best treatment plan for your child. For some parents who are weary of medication because of potential side effects, behavioral therapy may be an option. Working with a clinician or a mental health professional to determine the best behavioral therapy for your child may help him succeed in school and beyond.
