What to know about ADHD in children

While the cause of ADHD isn’t clear, there are contributing factors to be mindful of. They include:¹

• Genetics. If ADHD runs in your family among close relatives. 
• Environment. If your child is or was exposed to environmental factors or toxins like lead or other heavy metals.
• Problems during development. If a child’s mom used alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy, or if they were born prematurely.

Signs of ADHD in kids will look different for every child. And it’s possible those symptoms could change throughout life. It can be common for children to struggle sitting still for long periods of time, waiting their turn or following direction. However, children with ADHD struggle more with these types of tasks and more often. It can be tricky to know if what you’re seeing is a normal part of being a kid or something that may need medical attention. Understanding the types and symptoms of ADHD in kids can help. The 3 types of ADHD are hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive and combined. Each type has its own list of symptoms and patterns.²

A child with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may often:

• Fidget or squirm in their seat
• Run or climb when it’s not appropriate
• Struggle to stay quiet during an activity
• Blurt out answers or interrupt others
• Have trouble waiting their turn

A child with inattentive ADHD may often:

• Make careless mistakes
• Struggle with organization
• Avoid tasks that require focused mental effort (like schoolwork)
• Lose things
• Appear not to pay attention when being spoken to
• Become easily distracted

A child with combined ADHD will show symptoms of both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive type.

An ADHD test for kids may start with a visit with their primary care provider (PCP). This can be a pediatrician, family doctor, nurse practitioner or any other medical professional your child regularly sees for checkups. Many conditions share symptoms with ADHD, like learning problems, autism, sleep disorders and anxiety. It’s important to schedule time to specifically discuss concerns around ADHD. A children’s ADHD test may help give you answers and a diagnosis. Here’s what it could look like:³

• Physical exam: When you and your child meet with their PCP, the doctor will help rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
• Health information: You’ll likely review your child’s current health issues, family health history and school records.
• Questionaries: Family members and friends who regularly see your child may be asked to answer questions that can help determine a diagnosis.

ADHD rating scales are used to help collect and evaluate all of that information. This analysis may help you understand the cause of your child’s symptoms.

If your child is preschool age or younger, you may want to have them evaluated by a psychologist, speech pathologist or developmental specialist. Diagnosing ADHD in very young children can be difficult. Your child may benefit from seeing someone specially trained in behavioral health for kids that age.³

There are lots of choices around ADHD treatment for kids. Options include holistic solutions (like lifestyle and organizational habits), behavioral and psychological therapies and ADHD medication for kids. It’s important to decide which treatment or management option is the best fit for your child. It may take time to figure out what that is.

Non-medical approaches can include all sorts of lifestyle changes or habits. Things like a healthy diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, stress management and distraction limitation can help support your child’s brain in a way that may reduce their ADHD symptoms.

Different kinds of therapies and training can help the people in your child’s life learn ways to support them. This could include behavior or family therapy, social skills training and psychotherapy. Parents, teachers and counselors can all play positive roles in helping a child manage ADHD symptoms at home and in school.

Children’s ADHD medication can be used to help manage symptoms. ADHD medication may balance certain chemicals in the brain that impact inattention and hyperactivity. Always talk to your doctor about possible side effects of any medication your child may take. And don’t hesitate to report back if your child experiences them. Finding the right dose of ADHD medication may take time and will be different for each child.

Your child’s school or doctor may be able to connect you to resources for families and children. Local social services and support groups in your community — can all be a good place to start. Remember, you’re the ultimate decision maker for your child. After all, you know them best. With guidance from your provider and support from loved ones, you and your child can work toward finding answers and managing their ADHD symptoms.