Caregivers/Parents should notice the changes in the behavior that appear unusual in the child. If they notice that the child remains hyperactive or struggles to concentrate on a task, should consult a child specialist in Fatima Memorial Hospital. The specialist will help the caregivers understand the child’s condition and help them cope with the symptoms.
Signs of ADHD
The signs and symptoms of ADHD in children are:
- The child cannot concentrate on a specific task for long.
- The child gets distracted easily and never completes the work.
- The child does not pay attention and makes small mistakes.
- The child remains unbothered by their mistakes.
- The child does not listen to instructions and lack behind in social life.
- The child gets easily bored and shifts their attention to other tasks without completing the previous work.
- The child cannot organize their things.
- The child remains hyperactive. They can not sit still for a longer time.
- They engage in excessive and unneeded physical movements.
- They speak without considering the presence of others.
- The child has a habit of interrupting in conversations.
- The child does not fear any person or situation.
- The child reacts without considering the environment.
Complications of ADHD
The likelihood of developing other psychological disorders increases. The child may suffer from:
- Anxiety: The child is unable to concentrate and complete work. Additionally, they don’t act and react according to social norms and values. It causes them to have lesser friends and is socially unacceptable, inducing anxiety and stress. The child may experience sweating and rapid heartbeat due to ADHD and anxiousness.
- ODD: The caregivers and teachers may not understand their condition. The constant use of negative words by caregivers can lead to oppositional defiant disorder. The child has a negative association and perception for the authoritative figures in their life.
- Dyslexia: The child suffers from learning disabilities. Due to low concentration, the child cannot read and write according to their age; chances of dyslexia increase, which may cause them to lack behind in personal and professional life.
- Epileptic Seizure and Tourette’s Syndrome: Attention deficit hyperactive disorder correlates with epilepsy. The child diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to suffer from seizures and Tourette’s syndrome.
- Sleep-Related Problems: The child remains hyperactive most of the time, which causes them to stay awake at night. Lack of sleep can affect physical and psychological health. Additionally, the child cannot make the peers communicate at night. It can make the child anxious and eventually lead to depression.
Diagnosis
Caregivers should contact a child’s specialist and have a detailed discussion on the child’s behavior. The specialist should know when the caregivers started to notice the symptoms. Also, if the child is suffering from hearing or vision-related problems. The criteria to diagnose the child with ADHD includes:
- The symptoms are overt for more than six months.
- The child remains hyperactive and shows impulsiveness in more than two social settings.
Treating Children with ADHD
The medications and therapy that are proven beneficial in treating ADHD include:
- Methylphenidate helps the child to become attentive and control irrational behavior.
- Lisdexamfetamine helps increase attention span, and the child can concentrate on a specific task.
- Atomoxetine helps increase the production of noradrenaline in the brain that controls the child make impulsive decisions.
- Parent training and education programs help the authoritative figures to understand their child’s condition. The caregivers learn ways to effectively communicate with the child. When the caregivers are well aware, it helps them improve their relationship with the child and reduce the chances of further complications. The child can live a healthier and more productive life.
The people who can notice that their child has become hyperactive and struggles in concentrating on single tasks should consult a child specialist at Ittefaq Hospital.
