
Recognizing Signs of ADHD in Your Child

ADHD is a condition that happens to kids and adults, although it's more noticeable in children. It can happen to any child and ranges from mild to severe.
As a parent, it's crucial to know the signs of ADHD before it gets out of control. If you aren’t sure what you're looking for, Dr. Sindu Pillai offers behavioral evaluations at her practice in Murrieta, California.
Dr. Pillai is a pediatric specialist assisting in every step of the process if you suspect your child has ADHD.
Understanding ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a disorder that affects both children and adults. It often causes extreme inattention and hyperactivity, which causes issues in various aspects of life.
ADHD ranges in severity, but it can be so severe that it impacts your child's daily activities. They may struggle socially, academically, and mentally to overcome the challenges ADHD presents.
ADHD can be predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive or impulsive, or a combination of both.
Inattentive signs of ADHD
Inattentiveness is one of the significant symptoms of a child with ADHD. You may see that your child struggles to focus or pay attention to any activity. They may be easily distracted and struggle to complete assigned tasks.
Other signs of inattentiveness could signal that your child has ADHD, and they include the following:
- Difficulty focusing on one task
- Trouble following simple instructions
- Easily sidetracked or distracted
- Making careless or simple mistakes
- Complete disorganization and constantly misplacing things
Your child may seem like they're persistently daydreaming or looking past you when you're speaking with them. They often struggle to focus on tasks that require long-term effort and tend to move on quickly to the next thing.
Look for hyperactivity or impulsivity
Hyperactivity is the other primary symptom related to ADHD. Kids with it don't just have trouble paying attention, but they are also extremely fidgety and can't seem to stop moving. Other signs of hyperactivity include:
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Inability to think of consequences
- Frequently interrupting others
- Talking incessantly
- Difficulty sitting still or fidgeting
- Very impulsive actions
They may also struggle to get along with other kids or exhibit difficulty sharing toys or playing with others. Not every child shows the same symptoms, making it even more challenging to identify or comprehend.
Other signs and symptoms of ADHD
Kids with ADHD often exhibit signs of hyperactivity or inattentiveness. Still, other symptoms could also signal the disorder. For instance, emotional regulation isn't easy for kids with ADHD.
Your child may experience frequent temper tantrums or mood swings due to difficulties regulating their changing emotions.
Social interactions are complex with ADHD. Your child may struggle to make or keep friends, which drives them to spend a lot of time playing alone.
Another significant sign is academic difficulty. Children with ADHD struggle to focus and stay on task, which usually leads to trouble in school. They may struggle to keep up with their grades and homework or do poorly on tests.
If you think your child may be living with ADHD, it's crucial to come in for a behavioral evaluation. The sooner we diagnose your child, the quicker we can get the condition under control, which will help improve their social and academic performance.
Contact our Murrieta, California, office today to schedule a behavioral visit with Dr. Pillai, or click here to request a consultation for your child on our website.
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