3 signs your kid has ADHD, according to a child psychologist

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder which affects a person’s capacity to pay attention. Children with ADHD usually have difficulty at school and can also struggle in managing their emotions, such as temper. If not managed properly, it can make it difficult for the child to fit into their social circle.

As a parent, it is best to know what could be the signs of ADHD and monitor your child’s ability to understand lessons at school as well as your child’s social skills, in order to ensure there is no such problem.

Irina Gorelik, a child psychologist at Williamsburg Therapy Group, admits that signs of ADHD can get mixed with other disorders. Which is why she lays down some common signs which should signal you to consult a professional.

Gorelik shares with CNBC that one of the reasons why ADHD can be difficult for parents to identify is because it could present itself in various ways. The primary three ways include:

Hyperactive-impulsive: The child is feeling restless and has trouble with impulse control

Inattentive: The child gets distracted easily

Combination: Both the above types are equally present in the child

To start, here are some signs you can observe which might be an indicator that your child needs treatment.

School teachers are often the first to notice symptoms of ADHD in a child. Teachers may observe a few actions of the child, which may help them suspect ADHD. For example, the child could be having trouble in starting or finishing a task, especially those involving multiple steps. They could be facing difficulty in following instructions or directions. Inability to complete one task, such as a worksheet, without pausing, is also a sign of ADHD.

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Kids with ADHD are often messy with their things, unorganized and unusually forgetful. For example, they could be constantly misplacing their things or struggle with categorizing items in folders. It is often said that the only consistent thing about children with ADHD is their inconsistency. As the child grows up, they may also experience difficulty in being able to maintain any consistent routines.

Apart from behaviour or mental skills, ADHD also has physical manifestations on the child’s body. They might be unable to sit still and would usually be found tapping or squirming in your seat. When made to sit, they might not be able to sit still for 20 minutes. They could be talking excessively and have trouble maintaining conversations, such as by constantly interrupting others. Along with the inability to sit still, they could also be running around when it’s not appropriate. Because of these signs, people might treat them oddly and the child could struggle in making friends.

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Gorelik says that symptoms should be present for at least six months and interfere with your child’s functioning for them to seek treatment. If diagnosed with ADHD, you can decide to put the child in therapy and have regular consultations with the therapist. Special arrangements can also be requested at school, like giving the child extra time on tests, different classroom settings, and behavior plans.