Because signs of ADHD overlap with typical early childhood behaviors, the condition often becomes most apparent once a child begins preschool or elementary school. RELATED: I Thought I Was The World’s Biggest Screw-Up Until My Son Was Diagnosed With ADHD
To help you figure out whether your child should be evaluated for ADHD by an expert, we’ve summarized the condition’s three common signs.
1. Inattention
Inattention is one of the main signs of ADHD in children. As Stephanie H. shares of her son who was diagnosed with ADHD: “He couldn’t concentrate on anything; it seemed his mind was just jumping around from one thing to another.” The following detailed list of behaviors that may indicate inattention caused by ADHD is offered by HelpGuide.org.
Doesn’t pay attention to detailsMakes careless mistakesHas trouble staying focused; is easily distractedAppears not to listen when spoken toHas difficulty remembering things and following instructionsHas trouble staying organized, planning ahead, and finishing projectsGets bored with a task before it’s completedFrequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or other items
RELATED: The 4-Step Process That Helps People With ADHD (And Everyone Else!) Break Free Of Bad Habits
2. Hyperactivity
“Does [your child] have excessive motor activity and cannot sit still and squirms and is always running and climbing?” As early childhood educator Erin R. relays, hyperactivity is another typical sign that a child has ADHD. HelpGuide.org lists the following behaviors as potential signs of ADHD-related hyperactivity:
Constantly fidgets and squirms Often leaves his or her seat in situations where sitting quietly is expected Moves around constantly; often runs or climbs inappropriately Talks excessively Has difficulty playing quietly or relaxing Is always “on the go,” as if driven by a motor They May have a quick temper or a “short fuse”
Notably, not all children with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive; ADD/ADHD children who are inattentive but not hyperactive may instead seem to be unmotivated and constantly spacing out. RELATED: The One Word You Must Remove From Your Vocabulary When Parenting Kids With ADHD
3. Impulsivity
“Many children with ADHD are very impulsive,” explains Aundrea A. According to HelpGuide, the following behaviors are all signs of impulsivity that could be caused by ADHD.
Blurts out answers in class without waiting to be called on or hear the whole questionCan’t wait for his or her turn in line or in gamesSays the wrong thing at the wrong timeOften interrupts othersIntrudes on other people’s conversations or gamesInability to keep powerful emotions in check, resulting in angry outbursts or temper tantrumsGuesses, rather than taking time to solve a problem
RELATED: An ADHD Specialist Explains Why Female Symptoms Are Often Ignored By Professionals Until Later In Life This article is not intended as medical advice. If you are concerned your child is exhibiting signs of ADHD, consult your pediatrician. Rebecca Gruber is a contributor to YourTango. Follow her on Twitter. This article was originally published at PopSugar. Reprinted with permission from the author.
