I Think My Child Has ADHD. How Can I Know for Sure?

Your child has a hard time sitting still, difficulty following instructions, and their room is a mess. They’re struggling in school, and you’re getting messages from the teacher about problematic behavior.

Could your child have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? It’s not uncommon for parents to think that their child has ADHD when they’re hyperactive and it’s affecting their learning. The only way to know for sure is to have your child evaluated by a qualified medical professional.

Getting an early diagnosis and treatment plan in place leads to better outcomes.

At A&U Family Medicine in Sugar Land, Texas, primary care provider Dr. Hammad Zaidi and our team of family medicine practitioners take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing common childhood conditions like ADHD. 

In this month’s blog, we address this neurodevelopmental disorder and explain how to know for sure if your child has ADHD.

About ADHD

More than 8% of children in the United States have ADHD, making it one of the most common childhood mental health disorders. It’s a condition that affects the area of the brain responsible for planning, organizing, and paying attention. 

Researchers theorize that environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of ADHD. However, the genetic link is very strong. Children diagnosed with ADHD may also have a parent or sibling with the disorder. 

Premature birth, low birth weight, and exposure to alcohol or nicotine during the child’s pregnancy are also risk factors for ADHD. 

Signs and symptoms of ADHD

Hyperactivity, impulsivity (acting without thinking), and inattention are the key symptoms of ADHD. Many children are hyperactive and have a hard time sitting still during a long lecture by a teacher, but not all kids who can’t sit still have ADHD.

In children with ADHD the symptoms are severe, affecting school life, home life, learning, and relationships. If you suspect your child has ADHD, they may show some of the following signs and symptoms:

• Having a difficult time following instructions
• Making careless mistakes
• Struggling to keep track of their belongings
• Having difficulty completing daily activities (brushing teeth, combing hair)
• Interrupting conversations
• Talking excessively
• Having difficulty sitting still
• Fidgeting or tapping constantly
• Being unable to play quietly

Hyperactivity is the most obvious symptom of ADHD, but not all kids with this mental disorder are hyperactive. 

Kids with more inattentive symptoms are sometimes viewed as daydreamers. They may doodle during class and not get all of the instructions they need to finish a homework assignment, making it appear as though they don’t take school seriously. In reality, their brain is having a hard time focusing on things that disinterest them.  

Does your child have ADHD? 

If your child has signs and symptoms of ADHD, the only way to know for sure if your child has this neurodevelopmental disorder is to schedule an evaluation. 

Before your evaluation, we may ask you and your child’s teacher to complete a symptom checklist. This gives us a better understanding of the severity of your child’s symptoms and if they meet the qualifications for an ADHD diagnosis. We also review your child’s developmental history and your family health history. 

We use all of the data collected to make a diagnosis. Treatment for children with ADHD may include parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) and medication. The medication for children with ADHD increases levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain to improve attention and focus. 

We prescribe medications for ADHD and can help you and your child find the right drug and dose to help manage symptoms. 

If you think your child has ADHD, call our office or book an appointment online to schedule a consultation. The only way to know is to have your child evaluated.