#Add vs adhd kids how to
Parents and teachers are taught how to accommodate, instruct and create an environment to support a child with ADHD by using visual timers and transition warnings, breaking tasks into smaller parts, allowing movement breaks or fidgets and giving appropriate choices of how (not if) to do tasks. These are medications that target the neurotransmitters in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is primarily responsible for executive functioning, which includes difficulties such as inhibiting your responses, shifting your attention from one thing to another, emotional control, time management and organizing.īehavioural parent training is the second treatment. The first would be long-acting stimulant medication. There are two main evidenced-based interventions for ADHD using both in combination tends to be best. Q: What are the most effective treatments for ADHD? An assessment typically involves a clinical interview with parents/guardians, rating scales for caregivers and teachers, and review of report cards and other relevant documents. Depending on expertise, they might send you to a pediatrician, and depending on complexity, they might also refer to a psychiatrist or psychologist. Your first line would be going to your family doctor. Q: How is ADHD typically diagnosed?ĪDHD can be diagnosed through family physicians, pediatricians, psychologists and psychiatrists. We generally try not to diagnose ADHD before the age of six because a preschooler would have all the symptoms of ADHD and it’s totally normal that they can’t focus or stay seated for prolonged periods of time. Q: What distinguishes ADHD from “normal” inattentiveness and restlessness?īecause we all have difficulties paying attention when we’re bored or tired, we assess how much it’s impairing one’s life in respect to age/developmental level expectations. Sometimes girls with ADHD, or those with the predominantly inattentive presentation with less of the outward signs of hyperactivity, might be overlooked because they’re not outwardly disruptive, but they are still missing details, making careless mistakes and not following through with instructions. Research shows there’s about a 2:1 ratio more boys than girls have ADHD. Q: Does ADHD present differently in boys and girls So, ADHD is not just about attention deficit, but more like attention inconsistent. Also, individuals with ADHD can hyperfocus on things of interest, like video games, reading or Lego. Sometimes ADHD is kind of a misnomer because you can have attention difficulty without hyperactivity or impulsivity. These kids talk nonstop, and blurt out answers, interrupt and don’t wait their turn. There’s also verbal hyperactivity and verbal impulsivity. These kids are constantly on the go and unable to stay seated when they’re expected to. The other category is hyperactive or impulsive symptoms.
One is attention difficulties, such as a child that doesn’t seem to pay attention when you’re speaking to them, has difficulty sustaining focused attention on tasks that require a lot of mental effort, does not follow through with multiple-step directions or tasks, is forgetful or loses things. Q: What is ADHD?ĪDHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with two broad categories of symptoms. Mah, asked her about ADHD, her two most recently published studies and resources she recommends. Janet Mah is a psychologist and investigator at BC Children’s Hospital and a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia who studies parenting contributors to treatment engagement and adherence. Research strongly supports a combination of genetics and neurobiology as the cause of ADHD, in most cases.ĭr. ADHD affects an estimated five to nine per cent of school-age children and four percent of adults. That means in every classroom, two kids would have ADHD, whether they’re diagnosed or not.ĪDHD usually causes difficulties with a child or youth's functioning at school, at home, in extra-curricular activities and when interacting with friends. Janet Mah is a psychologist and investigator at BC Children's Hospital and a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia We asked an expert about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), her two latest studies that focus on parents and helpful resources for caregivers.ĪDHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood and typically persists through adolescence and into adulthood.
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