Signs Your Child Could Have ADHD

Approximately 6 million kids ages 3-17 in the United States have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and boys outpace girls by more than 2-to-1.

Most kids have bouts of hyperactivity or struggle with paying attention, which can make ADHD difficult to identify and diagnose. That’s why you should seek a definitive diagnosis from our experienced team of health care providers here at LaSante Health Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Still, you may want to know what signs to look out for. In the following, we explore some of the hallmarks of ADHD in children so you can decide whether your child might benefit from our behavioral health services.

Understanding ADHD

At its core, ADHD is a behavioral disorder that can present itself in several different ways, including:

• ADHD combined — components of attention deficit and hyperactivity co-exist
• ADHD impulsive/hyperactive type — hyperactive behaviors without inattention
• ADHD inattentive and distractible type — inattention without the hyperactivity component

For the purposes of this discussion, we’re going to address the two sides of the ADHD equation — inattention and hyperactivity — so you can identify whether your child might be struggling in one or both of these areas.

A closer look at hyperactivity

When we mention hyperactivity, we’re referring to behaviors that go above and beyond normal restlessness in children. Examples of hyperactivity include:

• Constantly fidgeting and unable to sit still
• Impulsivity — a lack of self control and acting without thinking
• Incessant talking
• Talking when inappropriate, such as blurting out answers in class
• Quick temper

These are just a few of the more common signs of hyperactivity in kids but your child may display them differently. The bottom line with this side of ADHD is to look out for issues with hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Attention deficit

The other side of ADHD is inattention, which can manifest itself in many ways, such as:

• Being easily distracted
• Daydreaming
• Not listening when spoken to
• Being disorganized
• Not following through (doesn’t complete tasks or projects)
• Inattention to details or instructions
• Losing things frequently
• Poor memory

Again, these are some of the more common signs of inattention, and your child may display them differently.

Diagnosing ADHD

If you feel that your child is struggling with either inattention or hyperactivity, or both, the best way to figure out whether ADHD is to blame is to come see us. 

Our behavioral health specialists understand the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. We perform extensive evaluations to determine whether the disorder is affecting your child.

If we find that your child likely has ADHD, we can discuss the next steps, which may involve medications, as well as behavioral therapies, to help your child better make their way through the world.

For help with diagnosing and treating ADHD, contact our Brooklyn, New York, clinic, which serves the Flatbush and East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Little Haiti, Little Caribbean, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens communities.