ADHD in children – what to look out for and how to get help

20 October 2022

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of neurodiversity that affects the parts of the brain that control attention, impulses and concentration. It is the most common neurodevelopmental condition in the UK; about 5% of children are thought to have ADHD but only 3% are diagnosed.

ADHD Awareness month , which takes place every October, aims to correct misunderstandings about ADHD and highlight the shared experiences of the ADHD community.

Being inattentive, impulsive and lacking concentration is common in many children for a while but it becomes a problem when this is exaggerated, compared to other children of the same age, and when the behaviour affects the child’s social and school life.

The symptoms are frequently mistaken for bad behaviour. Sometimes the frustration that accompanies ADHD gives rise to children and adolescents “acting up”. This can lead to underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline

What to look out for:

The symptoms of ADHD fall into two types of behavioural problems:

inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
hyperactivity and impulsiveness

Many people with ADHD have problems in both categories, but not always. Around 2 to 3 in 10 people with the condition have problems with concentrating and focusing, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness. This is known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) which is not always picked up because symptoms can be less obvious.

Symptoms in children are usually noticeable before the age of six. ADHD is more often diagnosed in boys than girls. This is because girls are more likely to have symptoms of inattentiveness only and are less likely to show the kind of disruptive behaviour that makes ADHD symptoms more obvious. This means girls who have ADHD may not always be diagnosed.

Symptoms of inattentiveness:

a short attention span; easily distracted
making careless mistakes
appearing forgetful or losing things
unable to stick to time-consuming, tedious tasks
seemingly unable to listen to or carry out instructions
constantly changing activity
difficulty organising tasks

Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness:

unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
fidgeting constantly
unable to concentrate on tasks
excessive physical movement
excessive talking
unable to wait their turn
acting without thinking
interrupting conversations
little or no sense of danger

Getting help

ADHD in children and teenagers can be managed with appropriate educational support, advice and support for parents and affected children, as well as medicine (if appropriate).

If you're worried about your child, speak to their teachers first to find out if they have any concerns about your child's behaviour. Then talk to your GP. They cannot formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment, if necessary.

There is strict criteria when diagnosing ADHD in children and teenagers. Your child must have six or more symptoms of inattentiveness, or six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Your child must also have:

been displaying symptoms continuously for at least 6 months
started to show symptoms before the age of 12
been showing symptoms in at least two different settings (eg at home and school)
symptoms that are not just part of a difficult phase and are not accounted for by another condition

Treatment

Treatment for ADHD can help relieve the symptoms and make the condition much less of a problem in day-to-day life. It can be treated using medicine or therapy, but a combination of both is often best. It usually involves a combination of professional therapy, medication, support at school as well as home plus sleep, exercise and good nutrition.

Treatment is usually arranged by a specialist, such as a Paediatrician or Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, although the condition may be monitored by a GP.

We are here to support and care for you as a family. We work with children and teenagers, along with their families, diagnosing and treating those who have developmental disorders like ADHD. As child psychiatrists, we have medical degrees which allow us to prescribe medication (if appropriate) as well as delivering therapy. If you have concerns, do get in touch. We can chat over the phone and establish what the issues are.

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