Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is
a developmental and behavioral disorder seen among children between 5- 8 years
of age. What are the symptoms that one needs to look for? The symptoms vary and
may be difficult to recognize at times. Almost all children show one or more
symptoms of ADHD and can be treated as normal during the growing years. But it
is important to evaluate the child under various criteria to make a proper
diagnosis for ADHD. There are seven common signs that are discussed below that
could help you to analyze your child’s behavior before seeking the intervention of a medical practitioner.
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Lack of Attention:
As the name indicates the child will be found deficit in attention. He/she cannot take multiple instructions and need to be given directions one at a time. The child will be found easily distracted and the span of attention in a given task will be very low. This can be addressed by giving them simple instant gratification through motivational techniques for sustained attention.
Self-Centered Behavior:
The child is mostly engrossed in his world and is not sensitive to the needs or desires of others. The child may interrupt when others are talking and may have trouble waiting for their turn in playing games or doing class room activities with other children.
Temper Tantrums:
The child may throw tantrums easily and may express outbursts of anger at inappropriate times. They may have trouble in keeping their emotions at check. They may be stubborn and may not listen to reasoning if found in an agitated state of mind. This emotional turmoil needs gradual taming with a lot of patience from the caregiver.
Hyperactivity:
These children cannot stay in a place for a long duration and tend to get very fidgety. Often parents and teachers may describe them as “Driven by Motor”. They are on the move always and are seen loitering around in a classroom or playground where restriction of movement is enforced.
Incomplete task:
The child will express desires to do many activities but may have trouble in completing the task. They may start a project and may lose interest during the process and leave it half done and would’ve already shifted to some other task that might have caught their attention.
Increase in number of errors:
As mentioned earlier they cannot follow multiple orders and may have difficulty in following instructions that may call for planning or executing a plan. This could result in careless mistakes. However, it does not indicate laziness or lack of intelligence.
Day dreaming:
A child with ADHD could be very quiet and withdrawn and less interactive with other kids, which again might be a symptom in some kids. The child may stare into space, and be ignorant of what is happening around them.
If the child is found to show the above
symptoms, then it is advisable to review all the treatment options with the
right doctor. ADHD is treatable. So an earlier diagnosis and treatment will be
more effective.
