What to Do if You Think Your Child Has ADHD

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common condition that affects children and adults alike. You might suspect your child has ADHD if they struggle with things their peers don’t, such as paying attention at school. Or your child’s teachers might mention that they’ve noticed some patterns in your child’s behaviour.

The best way to help your child navigate life and growing up is to do what you can to understand them and meet their needs, even if they’re different from your other children. Here are a few tips to help parents who suspect their children might have ADHD.

Diagnosing ADHD

The first step is to get a diagnosis. This can be harder than you might think, especially for milder or moderate cases of ADHD. A lot of people mistake the common symptoms of ADHD with symptoms of simply being a child or behaving badly. These symptoms include:

• A poor attention span
• Daydreaming often
• Excessive energy (hyperactivity)
• Poor impulse control
• Poor emotional regulation

But ADHD isn’t just “naughty children” or “bad parenting”. It’s a condition where the brain doesn’t produce enough neurotransmitters like dopamine to function properly, which leads to these symptoms and behaviours.

Diagnosis and screening might look different at different ages. For example, ADHD assessment teenager will be very different from assessing a toddler, as they will naturally behave differently and have different challenges.

Managing the Challenges of ADHD

Speaking of which, what challenges should you and your children expect?

Parents often experience a lot more stress, especially because their child might get into trouble a lot more at school. You might also be worried about their academic performance, as children with ADHD struggle to pay attention.

People with ADHD might also be prone to social, emotional, and mental issues. This could stem from low self-esteem, as well as increased depression or anxiety. Parents and children alike can feel isolated and constantly criticized.

Medication can help manage more extreme symptoms of ADHD by providing the neurotransmitters the brain is missing. Doctors might recommend medical intervention for more severe cases of ADHD. 

As a general rule, the more you understand about ADHD, the better you will be able to work through these challenges and help your child flourish.

Supporting Your Child

There can be a bit of a misconception that children with ADHD can’t succeed, but this isn’t true. While children with ADHD might have additional challenges when it comes to concentrating, especially in an academic environment, this doesn’t mean they can’t do well at school. It just means that parents and educators might need to support your child in different ways.

Pay attention to your child’s interests and talents and encourage them. Some people find that they need to adjust their workflow when they have ADHD, so look for study techniques and strategies that might work better for your child.

As with any child, just be on their side. Yes, you should set boundaries, but you should also be someone they can trust and talk to.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.