Trouble at School; is it ADHD?

Little Johnny is having trouble at school; the question being asked is, does he have ADHD?

So how common is it for kids to have ADHD? Studies, which report on the number of children with ADHD, show a range from 1.7% to 26% of children with ADHD.  In the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) ADHD was described as among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children.  The British Medical Journal estimates that 7% of school-aged children have ADHD, and boys are diagnosed with ADHD three times more often than girls.  In 1995, 10% of grade school children in Virginia were taking an ADHD related medication.  In 2002, the CDC found that 7% of children in the U.S. ages 6 to 11 had ADHD.  Children from families with health insurance were more likely to have a diagnosis of ADHD than those without health insurance.

It may be that children, especially boys, are over-diagnosed. JAMA concludes: “Although some children are being diagnosed as having ADHD with insufficient evaluation and in some cases stimulant medication is prescribed when treatment alternatives exist, there is little evidence of widespread over-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of ADHD or of widespread over-prescription of methylphenidate by physicians.”

Undoubtedly, for some, ADHD treatment is a controversial topic.  While in fact, more and more the medical studies are confirming that treatments work.  If you are wondering whether your child has ADHD and if there is help, you are not alone.  Please take comfort; there is hope.  In the next two articles, we will be talking about ADHD; what it looks like and what help is available.  This is just a brief discussion and you should seek help from a trained professional if you have any concerns.

So you ask: what does ADHD look like?  The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.  Remember we all show some of these characteristics at times; my goal is to give you an idea of what characteristics a professional assessment would look for.

• Inattention.  Our current day school environment may heighten the characteristics of inattention.  Does your child show any of the following tendencies?

• Difficulty paying attention to details, careless mistakes, messy assignments

• Easily distracted, trivial noises cause a distraction

• Inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities

• Difficulty finishing schoolwork

• Frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another

• Procrastination

• Disorganized work habits

• Forgetfulness, forgetting homework, forgetting to bring lunch

• Doesn’t listen, does not follow normal social situations rules

• Hyperactive.  All young kids can be hyperactive.  Do these statements describe your little one?

• Fidgets, always squirming

• Can’t sit still, restless, gets up to walk or run around

• Doesn’t play quietly, does not like quiet activities, reading or painting

• Talks excessively

• Impulsivity.  Johnny shows impulsivity characteristics if he is always knocking over objects or banging into people.  Impulsivity in children with ADHD is witnessed by engaging in potentially dangerous activities without considering the consequences.  Other characteristics of impulsivity include:

• Impatience

• Difficulty delaying responses

• Blurting out answers before questions have been completed

• Difficulty awaiting one’s turn

• Frequently interrupting or intruding on others

Many of these symptoms occur from time to time in all kids.  However, in children with ADHD, these symptoms occur frequently, at home and at school or when visiting with friends.  The symptoms interfere with the child’s ability to function as other children of the same age.  Remember these actions need to occur for at least six months and in more than one setting.  A new school, a new teacher, or a change in schedule can disrupt your child’s routine and not be ADHD.  If you have a concern about your child’s reactions, you should seek help from a professional.

Next week we will talk about ways to help your child diagnosed with ADHD.

By your endurance you will gain your lives. Luke 21:19