If your child struggles to focus on tasks at home or in the classroom, you may be relieved when your pediatrician says it's ADHD. While a new diagnosis can be confusing, learning more about the condition and treatment options can help you support your child's development. Here's what parents need to know about this behavioral disorder.

A Guide to ADHD in Children

1. It’s a Brain-Based Disorder

A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is not just acting out. The brains of people with ADHD differ in structure from those without the disorder. It’s a condition that tends to run in families. Children with parents who have ADHD are 40 to 60% more likely to have it themselves.  

2. There’s More Than One Type

Types of ADHD are classified by the symptoms experienced. Most children with the disorder have combined presentation ADHD, with symptoms presenting as an inability to pay attention, impulsiveness, and excessive talking and fidgeting. If the main symptoms are hyperactivity and lack of impulse control, they have predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation ADHD. Predominantly inattentive ADHD is more common in girls than in boys.

3. Symptoms May Change Over Time

When they’re young, hyperactivity and impulsiveness are common symptoms. As they age, their hyperactivity may phase out, and an inability to focus may come to dominate other symptoms. As teenagers, they’re likely to experience a combination of impulse-control and attention-deficit problems as well as feelings of restlessness and edginess.

4. There Are Treatments

A pediatrician will connect you and your child with the help they need to manage the disorder. Stimulants may be prescribed, and behavioral counseling will help them regain control of their thoughts and actions. Disorder-specific coaching and support groups are also components of comprehensive treatment plans.

If your child is experiencing behavioral issues and you think they may have ADHD, an experienced pediatrician at Leitchfield Pediatrics will offer confirmation and appropriate therapies. Since 1976, they’ve served Leitchfield, KY, with high-quality and affordable pediatric care, including vaccinations, physicals, and treatment of chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes. Learn more about their services online, or call (270) 259-5641 to schedule an appointment today.