20 Nov Does My Child Need To Be Tested For ADHD?
Children can be quite fidgety, impulsive, and inattentive at times. Often, this behavior may be written off as “normal” for children. But hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and lack of attention can be the initial symptoms of ADHD. With this condition, it can be hard to differentiate between normal childish behavior in children from a true case of ADHD that requires professional help. If you notice any of these odd behaviors in your child, they should probably be tested for ADHD. Pediatric Associates of Plainview, our center for Levittown pediatrics, conducts extensive screenings for ADHD that can help give you peace of mind when it comes to your child.
What Is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sometimes referred to as attention deficit disorder (ADD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms that develop and manifest in young children, typically before the age of 12. While many children are hyperactive and don’t always seem to pay attention, a child with ADHD will show many signs and symptoms consistently and across many different situations. Without professional examination, it is very difficult to identify ADHD in children. Common symptoms of ADHD in children typically include the following:
- Hyperactivity, fidgeting, squirming, or constant moving.
- Inattention, difficulty listening or paying attention, or getting distracted easily.
- Appearing to be spacy or unmotivated, and having trouble maintaining focus on tasks.
- Talking excessively, impulsively creating noise, or having trouble playing quietly.
- Self-focused behavior, such as trouble waiting for their turn or sharing with others.
Testing For ADHD
Since many of the common symptoms of ADHD can be vague and often apply to many children, professional opinion from a pediatrician is recommended if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Proper screening for ADHD can evaluate your child thoroughly and determine if their actions can be attributed to the disorder, normal behavior, or something else entirely. While there is no specific test a pediatrician can administer to your child for ADHD, they can evaluate your child’s behavior in multiple areas. The pediatrician can evaluate behavior while your child is interacting with different people as well as give your child a physical examination. In some cases, they may take a noninvasive brain scan to narrow down and correctly diagnose this disorder. The pediatrician will need to gather information from many different sources, such as parents, teachers, and any babysitters or other caregivers. Overall, what goes into an ADHD screening at our location for Levittown pediatrics would include evaluating:
- What symptoms your child displays.
- How long the symptoms have been present.
- How often the symptoms show up and affect your child.
- How these behaviors affect you, your child, teachers, and caregivers.
A diagnosis can be made if at least six symptoms of ADHD have been present for at least six months that occur consistently across many situations. Finally, comparing your child’s behavior with other children of a similar age can be the final step for diagnosing ADHD.
Contact Us Today!
Since ADHD has so many symptoms that overlap with normal behavior and cover a wide spectrum of behaviors, it is very hard to detect by yourself. Parenting a child with ADHD can be difficult and draining, but once it is diagnosed, many options and resources are available to help. Some options include special education and therapy programs, medication treatment, and specialized ADHD coaching. While there are many ways to help your child through this disorder, the first step is getting properly diagnosed. At Pediatric Associates of Plainview, our location for Levittown pediatrics, we will screen for ADHD in your child and get them the help they need today!
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