Help! I Think My Child Has ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is so common that 7 million children in the United States aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with the disorder. That’s more than 11% of kids nationwide.

When your child seems to have trouble focusing or getting things done on time, you may start to wonder if they, too, have ADHD. Although boys are more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis (15%), the condition is increasingly recognized in girls, too (8%).

At Precise Research Centers, our expert psychiatrist, Joseph Kwentus, MD, and our entire team are here to help if you think your child has ADHD. If your youngster is diagnosed with ADHD, they may be eligible for free therapy and treatment via clinical trials at our offices in Flowood, Mississippi.

Do you think your child would benefit from an ADHD evaluation and treatment? Following are some signs that they might. 

They don’t have an ‘off’ button

Most kids have a lot of energy, but yours seems to have a bit “extra.” Your child may have the hyperactivity-predominant form of ADHD if they can’t seem to ever wind down or relax. Signs and symptoms include:

• Getting up at mealtimes
• Not sitting still in class
• Avoiding quiet activities, such as reading or solo play
• Rushing through tasks and activities
• Making a lot of thoughtless mistakes
• Fidgeting or squirming a lot
• Constantly tapping their foot
• Seeming like they have an unending battery

In young children, hyperactivity may manifest as running around, jumping on furniture, and not calming down appropriately. Adolescents and teens may act restless or bored.

They can’t control their impulses

When a kid has ADHD, they have difficulty with the kinds of behaviors that their peers have developed, such as learning to take turns or engaging in a conversation. They may launch into monologues or interrupt others constantly. 

They may also be precociously eloquent, or talk nonstop. They may not have the patience to listen to a full question, and blurt out their answers. 

Sometimes their impulses drive them to take something that’s not theirs, or to not ask permission before doing something. They can also overreact to situations where they feel frustrated or questioned.

They have trouble at school or with friends

Kids with ADHD may have trouble forming lasting friendships because they try to dominate conversations or control games. Other kids may view them as aggressive or rude.

They may also get in trouble at school, or have trouble finishing their work. You may notice that they don’t do their homework, resist starting on their homework, or rush through it and make mistakes.

They have difficulty completing tasks

Their teacher may complain that they spend their time daydreaming instead of focusing on schoolwork, which suggests they could have the primarily inattentive form of ADHD. Attention deficit is especially common in girls. Signs of inattentiveness include:

• Daydreaming
• Not listening
• Not doing homework without help
• Getting bored or restless easily
• Avoiding chores, such as making the bed
• Often losing homework, toys, etc.
• Getting distracted easily
• Dawdling

Their tendency to lose important tools, such as pencils and papers, may contribute to their inability to get things done efficiently.

You’ve wondered about ADHD for a while

Usually, ADHD doesn’t just appear overnight. You may have started wondering about your child when they were a toddler, or even a baby. 

Most kids can be hyperactive or inattentive at different times during the day or during their development. However, if your child has ADHD, it seems like inattention or hyperactivity is their default mode instead of just a once-in-a-while occurrence. 

The only way you can know for sure if your child has ADHD — and what type or types they have — is by undergoing a diagnostic test for the condition. 

At Precise Research Centers, we evaluate your child for ADHD. If they have the condition, they may qualify for clinical trials that provide them new medications and supportive therapies for free. 

Do you suspect your child’s struggles are due to ADHD? Get the answers and relief you need by calling us today at 601-685-3457 for an ADHD evaluation. You can also book an appointment online or send a message to our team.