| It is normal for children to occasionally daydream during | | | | oppositional defiant disorder. |
| class, act without thinking, forget their homework, or | | | | * Medical conditions, including thyroid problems, |
| get fidgety at the dinner table. However, impulsivity, | | | | neurological conditions, epilepsy, and sleep disorders. |
| hyperactivity and inattention, are also signs of ADD or | | | | Diagnosing ADD / ADHD in children: |
| ADHD. | | | | At this time there is no imaging or laboratory test |
| When a child has ADD / ADHD it can also lead to | | | | existing to determine whether a child has ADD/ADHD. |
| problems at home and school, and, affect the child's | | | | The diagnosis is mainly made on the signs and |
| ability to learn and get along with others. It is therefore | | | | symptoms that are observed and by ruling out other |
| important to know what the signs and symptoms are | | | | disorders. It is therefore important to have a full |
| and get help if the child is showing any of them | | | | medical and psychological evaluation. Doctors usually |
| Some ADHA Symptoms: | | | | interview the parent, child and any adult who can |
| * They cannot sit still, never seems to listen, | | | | provide and insight into the child's behaviour. |
| * Do not follow instructions no matter how clearly they | | | | When choosing a specialist to diagnose the child, it's a |
| are given. | | | | good idea to also get recommendations from other |
| * They blurt out inappropriate comments at | | | | doctors, therapists, and parents. Insurance companies |
| inappropriate times. | | | | are also a good source for referrals and information |
| * They may also criticized for being lazy | | | | about the coverage of the family's insurance plan. |
| * They are labelled as troublemakers or undisciplined. | | | | Mental health professionals who can diagnose ADD |
| The symptoms and signs of ADD/ADHD usually | | | | ADHD include psychologists, paediatricians, and |
| appear before the age of seven. It can however, be a | | | | psychiatrists. |
| little difficult to distinguish between normal kid behaviour | | | | For more information, please visit the sites below |
| and ADHD. If a few signs show up only in some | | | | World Links |
| situations then it is probably not ADD/ADHD. Should | | | | World - Non-Government Organizations |
| the child show a number of signs and symptoms of | | | | * Attention Deficit Disorder Association - |
| ADD/ADHD and are disruptive at home, school and | | | | Attention Deficit Disorder Association helps to provide |
| play then it is time to take a closer look. | | | | information, resources and networking to adults with |
| Before an accurate diagnosis of ADD/ADHD can be | | | | AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them. |
| made, it is important that the child is taken to a mental | | | | In doing so, ADDA generates hope, awareness, |
| health professional to explore and rule out the following | | | | empowerment and connections worldwide in the field |
| possible causes of the ADHD-like symptoms: | | | | of AD/HD. |
| * Major life events or traumatic experiences that may | | | | * C.H.A.D.D.: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit |
| have caused stress (e.g. divorce, a recent move, | | | | Disorders - |
| death of a loved one, illness, bullying.) | | | | Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity |
| * Learning disabilities or problems with reading, writing, | | | | Disorder is the nation's leading non-profit organization |
| motor skills, or language. | | | | serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. |
| * Psychological problems including anxiety, depression, | | | | CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local |
| and bipolar disorder. | | | | chapters throughout the U.S. |
| * Behavioural disorders such as conduct disorder and | | | | |