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How to know if it’s ADHD or it’s just a child who gets bored easy?

Anonymous posted in Parenting 3 years ago
3 years ago

How to differentiate or understand if it’s just age of eagerness and discovery (age 4-7) or it’s ADHD?

Answer

Parents often self-diagnose their children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and while sometimes they may be on the right track, often these behaviors fall within normal variation or developmental differences. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children everywhere have been affected by physical distancing and social deprivation. Children have been catapulted into new routines and deprived of familiar social outlets, this ‘new normal’ is not easy and can often lead to a ‘bored’ child. Today, many parents face challenges in managing their child’s activity levels, attention, and emotional regulation and are seeking structure and support, while also keeping up with school and family expectations. Sometimes we must remind ourselves that kids are kids, they are energetic beings, and when deprived of movement breaks and asked to sit for long periods, it can often lead to inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or boredom.   When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, primarily inattentive or primarily hyperactive/impulsive or combined, the diagnosing clinician must complete a detailed assessment and follow specific criteria based on the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM–5). Boredom is not a symptom of ADHD, however, it is commonly reported by parents of children with ADHD that they often seek increased stimulation when compared to their peers and struggle to find outlets to keep themselves from being bored. Children with ADHD often report that their level of arousal fades faster when compared to their peers, especially when they are engaged in a task that they do not find particularly interesting or lengthy.  As a parent, if your child is displaying prolonged hyperactivity and finds it difficult to focus and pay attention, they may be displaying some signs of ADHD. However, if your child can control their impulses, emotions, and attention levels in some environments, it may be more related to sensory preferences. If you are considered about your child’s behavior, talk to the school and a mental health specialist who can provide insight into your child’s behaviors and discuss the assessment process. Parenting a child with ADHD can be challenging, however, there are lots of supports available to overcome daily barriers and manage symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention is essential in decreasing the risks of anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties that may arise in later childhood. Therapeutic intervention supports children with ADHD to better access the school curriculum, navigate the social world and reach their full potential.

The Lighthouse Center mental health and wellness clinic
3 years ago
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