ADHD in Children: Symptoms and Treatment

A short attention span and high energy level don't necessarily mean your child has ADHD—there are many reasons why kids may be hyper or have trouble concentrating. However, some kids struggle more than others to sit still and pay attention, and it causes problems for them in their daily lives if it is not accommodated properly.

If you have a child who seems to bounce off the walls or who can’t focus long enough to get work done, it’s wise to be curious about the possibility of ADHD.

Characteristics of ADHD

Just like adults, children may present with one of three types of ADHD:

• Predominantly inattentive presentation: Children with the inattentive presentation of ADHD struggle to focus and stay on task. They may appear to be daydreaming often, and they may struggle to stay organized.
• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation: Kids with the hyperactive presentation are impulsive and can’t sit still. They often squirm and fidget in their chairs and seem to have endless energy.
• Combined presentation: The combined presentation causes impairment in attention as well as hyperactivity.

To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must interfere with a child’s daily life in some form. For example, an inattentive child may struggle to understand homework assignments because they weren't paying attention in class. Or a hyperactive child may have difficulty finishing their classwork because high energy levels make it hard to sit still.

ADHD Is a Form of Neurodivergence

It is important to understand that ADHD is a form of neurodivergence. While it is recognized as a disability, this is due to the fact that the neurotypical society in which we live does not appropriately accommodate ADHD characteristics.

While people with ADHD experience challenges because society is neurotypical-centric, ADHD brains possess many strengths. 

Kids with ADHD may respond in certain ways because of poor accommodations, unmet needs, communication problems, and trauma responses. By better understanding their child's neurotypes, strengths, and needs, parents can provide better support to help their kids flourish.

ADHD Evaluation

If you or your child's teacher suspects your child may have ADHD, it's important to seek an evaluation if accommodations are needed. Early intervention may potentially prevent the emergence of further distress and trauma for the child.

There isn’t a specific lab test that is used to diagnose ADHD. Instead, a pediatrician or mental health professional can evaluate a child’s traits and determine if the criteria are met. Several methods are often used to obtain information about a child’s behavior.

It is important to note that these approaches take a traditional medical approach that sees ADHD as a condition that requires treatment. These assessments focus on viewing ADHD characteristics from the lens of a neurotypical perspective. 

• Teacher report forms collect information from teachers about a child's behavior and attention span in the school setting. Reports from teachers can be instrumental in determining how much difficulty a child has staying on task and remaining seated compared to their peers. Feedback about a child’s peer interactions can also be helpful as some children with ADHD struggle to maintain friendships.
• Parent report forms are used to rate a child’s behavior in the home. A mental health professional may inquire about a child’s ability to follow directions, play quietly, or wait for their turn in the conversation.
• Parent and child interviews will help the clinician learn more about your child's development and family history.

While these tools are commonly used, consider seeking an evaluation from a neurodiversity-affirming mental health practitioner. A provider who has an understanding of ADHD or who has lived experience as an individual with ADHD can provide affirming support without pathologizing the characteristics of ADHD.

What to Bring

You may also be asked to bring the following items with you to the evaluation:

• Your child's medical records, your contact information, and contact information for your child's pediatrician
• Names and contact information for teachers and any other adults involved in a supervisory role with your child, such as in after-school programs
• Any prior testing results such as IQ testing, achievement tests, personality assessments, and any previous ADHD evaluations, as well as the contact information for and names of the professionals who conducted them
• Report cards and notes from your child's school
• Individualized education plans (IEPs), if applicable
• Insurance information

Any adult in a supervisory role to your child may also be asked to fill out forms, which you should bring with you to the evaluation if asked. You may be asked to provide your doctor with written consent to contact these individuals as well.

Supporting Children With ADHD

Sometimes parents are hesitant to discuss concerns about ADHD because they fear children will be put on medication with terrible side effects. The good news is there are several different types of medications (such as Concerta, Clonidine, and Strattera) available for ADHD.

There are also many other types of support that don’t involve medication. Parent support can be very effective. This involves helping parents learn more about neurodiversity and how to accommodate their child's brain and traits.

School accommodations can also be helpful for your child. Sometimes, simple strategies—such as having a child sit near the front of the classroom to reduce distractions—can be beneficial.

Parenting Strategies

Raising a child with ADHD can be stressful. Because society does not accommodate ADHD, parents often have to put in more effort to get school accommodations for their children. Parenting a child with a different neurotype can also create stress when parents don't have the information they need about how to best support their child.

Children with ADHD also tend to have higher rates of accidental injuries. They might get injured from falls off furniture after climbing, falling, or jumping out of windows or off decks, unbuckling restraints and standing up in the car or stroller, or even accidentally drinking poison, resulting in more emergency room visits.

They often require constant supervision and more structure than other children. Here are a few behavior modification strategies that are often taught in parent support programs:

• Provide positive attention. Positive playtime reduces attention-seeking behavior. Positive attention helps parents create healthier relationships with kids, and a stronger bond means that kids are more likely to respond to praise. 
• Give effective instructions. Gain your child’s full attention before giving directions. This can look different for each child. Ask them what helps them focus and follow directions and accommodate their neurotype. Some examples include writing down detailed instructions, showing them how to do the task, body-doubling, and flexible scheduling.
• Praise your child's effort. Catch your child being good and point it out. Praise can promote secure attachment with your child, and frequent and specific feedback is important.
• Establish rewards. Reward systems can be a great way to help kids with ADHD stay on track. Establish a few target behaviors, such as staying at the table during a meal or using gentle touches with a pet.

Strategies for School

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's important for parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to work together to help the child succeed in school. Here are some other tools that could be helpful:

• Accommodations: Extra time to complete tests or having a seat placed in a quiet area can increase a child's chances of success.
• A behavior management plan that carries between home and school: A child may receive points or tokens from their teacher that can be exchanged for privileges at home, such as watching TV or using a computer.
• Structure in the home: A consistent homework time (with scheduled breaks) and a homework area that accommodates their ADHD brain can help your child get their work done. This may include fidgets, visual timers, game-ifying tasks and homework, or other things that are unique to each child.

It may also be helpful to create checklists that remind them of what they should pack in their backpack each day. Then, they'll require fewer reminders from you to be responsible.

Your child's teacher, guidance counselor, and therapist may be able to assist you in developing the best plan to help your child succeed academically.