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About 6 million children from the ages of 3-17 in the United States have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sometimes, you suspect your child should be among them.
But you know that ADHD symptoms are also related to other conditions, such as sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. Those conditions may also go hand-in-hand with ADHD.
At Precise Research Centers, our founder, Joseph Kwentus, MD, diagnoses and evaluates psychiatric, neurological, and medical cases at our offices in Flowood, Mississippi.
In addition, we run clinical trials for new medications that may help your child manage symptoms while also undergoing behavioral and other types of therapies. There’s no cost associated with being in a clinical trial.
Does your child have ADHD? Following are six signs that suggest they’d benefit from an ADHD evaluation.
1. They can’t sit still
A common complaint of teachers (and parents) regarding kids who have ADHD is that they can’t sit still for long periods. In school, they may get out of their chairs, interact with other kids or play when they’re supposed to be paying attention.
At home, they may have difficulty sitting through mealtimes. They may need attention or hugs, or simply get up to play or jump around instead of finishing their meal.
2. They talk too much
If your child is overly loquacious, they may have ADHD. All kids are curious and ask questions, but if you feel like your child doesn’t have an “off” button, they may benefit from an evaluation.
They may have trouble spending time alone, playing quietly or reading. They crave interaction. However, they may have difficulty engaging in actual conversations because they don’t have the patience to listen to the other person. If your child is a monologist, they may have ADHD.
Another trait of ADHD is that your child may use vocabulary that’s more sophisticated than those of their peers. “Overtalking” may also be a self-soothing strategy they use to mask anxiety, fear, and loneliness.
3. They run like the Energizer Bunny
If you feel like your child never runs out of energy, it could be because they have a predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation for ADHD. They may run around a lot, crave physical interaction with others, and have trouble winding down at night.
They may also have a tendency to get hurt, due to a lack of control over their body movements. They may also be reckless and take risks that could result in accidents.
4. They’re impatient and interrupt
Children with ADHD often have more trouble than others at waiting their turn. They may also have trouble delaying gratification.
They may get angry or frustrated if they’re not chosen when they raise their hand in school. In conversations, they frequently interrupt and may not listen attentively to their partners. They may also have trouble completing homework, because they’re so anxious to get it “done.”
5. They get distracted easily
A child with ADHD may have trouble completing tasks, including eating dinner or taking a test, because almost anything can distract them from remaining focused. A pencil becomes a toy. A test paper is a place to doodle and play.
They don’t even need outside stimulation to distract them. Kids with ADHD are often fierce daydreamers, and launch themselves into a mental fantasy world rather than paying attention to what’s going on in the classroom or in the family.
You may notice, too, that they have difficulty maintaining eye contact. Conversations may be brief or rushed.
6. They dawdle
If your child seems to take “forever” to do simple tasks, such as brushing their teeth and getting dressed, they may have ADHD. Dawdling may be prolonged due to distractions and daydreaming, too.
A single sign — or even several signs — of ADHD don’t necessarily mean that your child has the condition. Trauma, anxiety, and depression can all cause similar symptoms and signs.
The only way to know for sure whether your child has ADHD, another condition, or is simply an energetic child is to get a medical diagnosis.
In up to 60% of cases, ADHD persists into adulthood. However, with proper management, and medication if necessary, your child learns to harness and use their unique abilities and energies.
If you think your child or teen has ADHD, call us at 601-685-3457 or book an appointment online. You can also send a message to our team on the website.
We have ongoing clinical trials with new medications, as well as traditional talk therapies and other behavioral interventions. Clinical trials, including supportive therapies, are free of charge.