Signs That Your Child May Have ADHD

According to a 2013 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately eleven percent of American children, between four and seventeen years old, have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at some point in their lives. In fact, it is one of the most common childhood conditions out there, which means it shouldn't come as a surprise that many parents express concerns about whether or not their children might have it. Parents concerned should keep an eye out for the following key signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and discuss it with their child's primary physician.

Frequent Fidgeting

It’s normal for a child to fidget at the dinner table when they don’t want to eat their vegetables, but when a child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, their fidgeting will be much more noticeable and frequent. Do they run around when instructed to sit? Once sitting, do they squirm and fidget? This symptom is, of course, a hyperactive characteristic. Many children with ADHD simply aren’t happy when they’re inactive. Activities that require both focus and energy can help mitigate these issues by providing a constructive outlet for excess energy while also providing a framework to improve the child's focus. Of course, it is crucial to note children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also appear to have issues with focus, so using these activities can also reveal more symptoms.

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Often Blurt Out Words

More often than not, children with ADHD will blurt out comments or phrases, even when it's inappropriate to do so. This is because ADHD patients suffer from immense impulsivity. If a child with ADHD has something to say, then, they may do so without thinking of the consequences. Their teachers may have told parents their child blurts out answers before questions are completed, or speaks over others in the class. ADHD comes with an inability to control impulses, including responses to stimuli such as questions. This lack of impulse control is a defining feature of ADHD, but may present in other ways.

Learn more about the symptoms of ADHD in children now.