ADHD in children: When to seek a psychologist?
Do you suspect that your child has ADHD? Learn how to spot the warning signs and symptoms of ADHD in children and teens to receive the help you need.
Hyperactivity, difficulty in paying attention, and impulsive conduct are all symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Early childhood is frequently when it is initially noticed. A child's thinking, academic achievement, conduct, feelings, and interpersonal connections can all be impacted by ADHD. Oftentimes, it carries on into adulthood.
So, what makes a child's ADHD treatment programme effective? That is a personal question that should be addressed with the help of your child psychologist , who should consider all of the options above. We’ll find out more about these approaches to treating ADHD in children in this article.
So, before we get into the nitty-gritty of ADHD in children, let us help you understand the disorder better.?
What is ADHD?
It's common for kids to periodically act impulsively, forget their schoolwork, daydream in class, or fidget at the dinner table. However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), commonly referred to as attention deficit disorder or ADD, can also be indicated by the same: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
The typical onset of ADHD, a common neurodevelopmental disease, comes in early infancy, usually before the age of seven, as declared by the best child psychologists .
Children with ADHD find it challenging to control their impulsive behaviours, which can include anything from movement to speech to concentration. Every parent has encountered a child that is unable to sit still, never seems to pay attention, ignores directions no matter how clearly they are given, or makes improper comments when not appropriate. These kids are occasionally referred to as troublemakers or chastised for their laziness and lack of discipline. They might have ADHD, though.
How to identify the signs of ADHD in children?
Differentiating between ADHD and typical "child behaviour" can be challenging. It's probably not ADHD if you just notice a few symptoms or if they are only displayed in certain circumstances. On the other hand, it's time to take a closer look if your child exhibits a number of ADHD signs and symptoms that are present in all settings—at home, at school, and during play.
What are the symptoms of ADHD in children if you may ask??
Many people associate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with an unruly child who is always on the move, bouncing off the walls, and upsetting everyone in their vicinity. However, the truth is far more nuanced. While some ADHD youngsters are hyperactive, others sit calmly with their concentration elsewhere. Some people struggle to change their focus from one task to another when they are too focused on it. Others are excessively impulsive but only marginally inattentive.
Depending on which traits are more prominent, a kid with attention deficit disorder will exhibit different signs and symptoms.
Among children with ADHD, we would list the following categories:
Since children with simply inattentive signs of ADHD are not disruptive, child psychologists highlight they are frequently disregarded. The effects of inattention include underachievement in school, conflicts with other children over breaking the rules, and trouble with parents and teachers for failing to follow instructions.
Signs of ADHD in different age groups
ADHD in children:
Kids or toddlers with ADHD may display the following symptoms at home, in daycare, or at school:
ADHD in teens:
Symptoms that can manifest in adolescents and teenagers with ADHD include:
ADHD symptoms influencing family life lead to increased conflict with parents and difficulty managing social and familial connections.
ADHD signs in Adults:
Due to the numerous obligations that adults may have, ADHD symptoms in adults may differ from those in teens or children.?
Signs of ADHD in women and girls:
Research on various symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and the level of functioning in females with ADHD was examined in a recent article by BMC Psychiatry .
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The research shows that females frequently exhibit a combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, many of which are less severe than those in males, particularly in the hyperactive-impulsive group.
Other noteworthy variations in how women and girls present with ADHD include:
Other factors that do have an impact on ADHD
Age appears to be the main determinant for variations in symptoms between people when we consider how ADHD symptoms present. However, child psychologists would like to emphasise the fact: The diagnosis and ADHD treatment can also be significantly influenced by ethnic and cultural variances.
According to the study, how certain behaviours are perceived might vary depending on one's views, values, and also how a child psychologist approaches them. Many of these behaviours are a direct outcome of ADHD.
In reality, a number of studies have revealed that children from marginalised ethnic groups are less likely to get the proper diagnosis and ADHD treatment they require.
Other cultural characteristics that may affect how ADHD is perceived, identified, and treated include:
All of these elements may influence ADHD treatment in children and teens.
Counselling Psychologist for Children and Teens with ADHD
ADHD can make it challenging for your child, or any other member of the family to perform at your best at home, at work or school, or even within your relationships if ADHD treatment is not received.
Contact a counselling psychologist to learn more about a possible diagnosis of ADHD and to begin the process of receiving treatment if you think that you, your child, or someone close to you is exhibiting symptoms of the condition.
Through behavioural therapy , people with ADHD can develop coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms. Positive behaviours are intended to take the place of harmful ones through behavioural therapy. By educating patients on techniques to strengthen problematic skills like organisation, focus, and impulse control, behavioural therapy achieves all of this.
Some patients discover that behavioural therapy treatment effectively manages their symptoms of ADHD without the use of medication. Others combine medication with behavioural treatment.
Note: Behavioural therapy has no effect on ADHD's actual symptoms. It won't alter how the brain functions in an ADHD youngster or adult. However, it can help those with ADHD learn abilities that make it much simpler for them to excel at work, school, at home, and in interpersonal interactions.
The goal of behavioural therapy for ADHD children is to improve behaviours by including the entire family. A person's activities are the main focus of all behavioural therapies. Children receiving behavioural therapy for ADHD also examine how misbehaviour is handled at home. Parents of children with ADHD frequently unknowingly reinforce harmful behaviours.
To assist in developing a strategy, a counselling psychologist will sit down with a family. The strategy will assist the entire family in establishing goals and modifying behaviour. Children and their parents will have the tools they need to successfully make adjustments from therapy sessions.
With ADHD treatment, Children will get new knowledge and methods for handling things that may be difficult for them, like:
Parents will gain fresh insights on how to support their child with ADHD and why particular approaches don't work. New techniques for rewarding positive behaviours and controlling bad ones will be discussed by the therapist.
ADHD treatment at Skooc
The appropriate interventions can be offered to you and your child by our group of qualified child psychologists at Skooc. Children with ADHD may receive treatment at Skooc that combines medication and behaviour therapy , including training for parents.
Because younger children are more susceptible to the negative effects of ADHD drugs than older children, behaviour therapy is a crucial first step for children under the age of six before starting medication. It has been demonstrated that behaviour management training for parents is just as effective as ADHD treatment for young children.
It is advised to combine medicine and behaviour treatment for school-aged children and adolescents. There are numerous behavioural therapies that work, including:
At Skooc , we offer the best counselling for children and teens and aim at helping people you love to feel at their best. Helping a child with mental well-being is not an easy process; now is a good time to start.