| Let me ask you a simple question: do you often | | | | control of his or her behavior, it is a good idea to speak |
| wonder whether your child or someone you love has | | | | to a health care professional, and seek a diagnosis one |
| ADHD? After all, many adults have recently been | | | | way or the other. |
| diagnosed with the disorder after years of wondering | | | | For example, the Mayo Clinic provides a list of |
| why they had so much trouble keeping relationships, | | | | attention deficit symptoms your physician will be |
| jobs, and emotions together. So, what are the signs of | | | | looking for: |
| ADHD? | | | | - Often fails to pay close attention to details or makes |
| Generally, it is parents that are asking whether a child | | | | careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities |
| has ADHD or is simply acting out. Before giving you | | | | - Often has trouble sustaining attention during tasks or |
| the list of symptoms for ADHD, please remember | | | | play |
| three very important things: | | | | - Seems not to listen even when spoken to directly |
| | | | - Has difficulty following through on instructions and |
| 1. Do not panic | | | | often fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks |
| 2. Consider the age | | | | - Often has problems organizing tasks or activities |
| 3. Consider the circumstances | | | | - Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental |
| 4. All children exhibit some or all of the symptoms | | | | effort, such as schoolwork or homework |
| Stay calm and do not panic. Even if you are 99.9% | | | | - Frequently loses needed items, such as books, |
| sure your child has ADHD, losing your cool will not help | | | | pencils, toys or tools |
| anyone. Treatments and support groups are available | | | | - Can be easily distracted |
| to help everyone in the family, so you are not alone. In | | | | - Forgetful often |
| addition, many parents are mistaken and worried for | | | | Likewise, they also gave a short list of hyperactivity |
| nothing. | | | | signs that might be plaguing your child: |
| Consider the age and do not always assume your | | | | - Fidgets or squirms frequently |
| child is exhibiting the signs of ADHD. Oftentimes, the | | | | - Often leaves his or her seat in the classroom or in |
| behavior is age appropriate or a stage he or she is | | | | other situations when remaining seated is expected |
| going through. For example, a 3 year old should not | | | | - Often runs or climbs excessively when it's not |
| always be expected to sit still in church without | | | | appropriate or, if an adolescent, might constantly feel |
| fidgeting, or always in control of emotions. | | | | restless |
| Consider the circumstances before deciding your child | | | | - Frequently has difficulty playing quietly |
| is showing the signs of ADHD. Every child over | | | | - Always seems on the go |
| stimulated, by what is going on at the moment, is likely | | | | - Talks excessively |
| to exhibit ADHD symptoms. In addition, a tired child is | | | | - Blurts out the answers before questions have been |
| prone to act out inappropriately. So, before pushing the | | | | completely asked |
| panic button, take recent events into account. | | | | - Frequently has difficulty waiting for his or her turn |
| All children exhibit some or all of the symptoms or | | | | - Often interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations |
| signs of ADHD at one time or another. However, it | | | | or games |
| does not mean everyone has a chemical imbalance in | | | | No that you are armed with this information on how to |
| the brain that needs medications and therapies to | | | | recognize the signs of ADHD, you can make an |
| control. In fact, most adults can still lay claim to similar | | | | educated decision whether to seek a definitive |
| behavior on occasion. | | | | diagnosis. Then, you will know whether natural, |
| Nevertheless, if someone you love shows the signs of | | | | alternative, and prescription therapies are necessary. |
| ADHD on a regular basis, and cannot seem to gain | | | | |