Children with ADHD exhibit the same symptoms as those who have ADD, which is Attention Deficit Disorder. ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is said to affect between 3 to 5 percent of the population. Many children with ADHD never get a proper diagnosis. Other children are improperly diagnosed with this disorder when they do not even have it.
The symptoms of children with ADHD usually start showing up as the child enters school. Parents may not notice that there is anything different with their child. Many children with ADD or ADHD are highly creative individuals who are very intelligent. A parent may feel that their child is extremely gifted, but perhaps a little "hyper." Many parents today are petrified of giving their children sugar so that they do not get too "hyper."
But there is a difference between a child who exhibits symptoms of ADHD such as hyperactivity, than an ordinary child who is a ball of energy. Children who have ADHD symptoms also experience an inability to wait their turn for something, sit still for a few minutes, are very impulsive in their behavior and cannot pay attention.
Many people feel that ADHD children are defiant or anti-social. This is not true. There are anti-social traits that can go with the syndrome such as temper tantrums, lying or aggression, but these are often quelled when the child is properly treated. In most cases, the anti-social symptoms are created because the child with ADHD does not process thoughts the same way that other people process thoughts and can get easily frustrated.
Other disorders often accompany ADHD in children including OCD, which his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. These are not always present in children with ADHD, although a child that is displaying more aggression that is normally characterized for ADHD may be evaluated for Bipolar disorder. It is thought that anxiety disorders such as OCD is genetically linked with ADHD and therefore part of the condition in many cases.
No one is sure what causes ADHD in kids. PET scans done of children with ADHD show a difference in the brain of those with and without ADHD, but for the most part, the diagnosis of ADHD is a clinical diagnosis made after assessing the behavior. There is evidence of both environmental factors as well as genetic factors when it comes to ADHD.
ADHD testing usually includes assessing the behavior of the child over a period of time. Children with ADHD will exhibit certain behavior patterns that will enable the doctor or pediatric psychiatrist, to make the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis of ADHD has been made, you must then decide how you want to treat your child.
Many parents today are using therapy instead of drugs to treat child ADHD. Drugs have proven to have harmful side effects and herbal remedies do not work. Treatment plans and therapy have been most effective at helping children with ADHD.
Michelle Regan is an author and consultant. To learn more about ADD or ADHD in children, visit http://www.adhd-survival-guide.com/
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