ADHD In Children: How To Spot The Signs And Help Them Thrive
As October is ADHD awareness month, we wanted to take the opportunity to shine a spotlight on this often misunderstood condition. ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, affects around 5% of children across the globe and it can have a significant detrimental impact on a child’s life, particularly when it comes to school life.
Dr Spondita Goswami, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychologist at The London Psychiatry Centre, explains: “Typical ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour, and short attention span can often be put down to ‘naughtiness’. But in truth, a child with ADHD may want to behave but struggle to control themselves. The good news is that a comprehensive approach to treatment can have a really positive impact on all aspects of a child’s quality of life.”
How we treat ADHD in children
It’s important to manage ADHD in children, otherwise symptoms can seriously affect their quality of life – including academic performance and social interactions. Treatment can help relieve the symptoms and make ADHD a much more manageable condition.
At The London Psychiatry Centre, we offer holistic assessment and treatment support. After your child receives a diagnosis of ADHD, the CAMHS team will create a client centred treatment plan. Each child is unique and as such, their treatment plan will reflect this. It may include a combination of individual therapy like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), behaviour management, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, psychoeducation, parenting support and post diagnostic work. Where necessary, when psychological treatments need further support, we are also able to prescribe the appropriate medication to help support you and your child in managing their condition.
- Psychoeducation – a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, family therapy. This also encourages you and your child to discuss and gain a greater understanding of ADHD.
- Post-diagnostic parenting support – this area of treatment gives parents the tools they need to help improve your child’s quality of life by learning how to best speak to them and respond to their behaviour.
- Behaviour Modification – we work closely with your child to help them recognise and manage their behaviours. We offer child-centred holistic therapeutic work.
- Medication – The first line of intervention for ADHD is usually behavioural modification and learning support at home and at school. Given the increasing academic pressures on young people, a trial of medication may be an appropriate parallel to individual therapy in the future.
ADHD symptoms in children
Despite there being no official test for ADHD, there are symptoms to look out for. To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must exhibit a number of symptoms in a variety of situations (home, school, and relationships). We combine observation of the child at school, clinic assessment(s), and the Connors questionnaire for teachers and parents, before making any diagnosis.
The first signs of ADHD are usually seen by pre-school age. Most children are diagnosed between the ages of six and 12 once they start school and their behaviour can be observed as being different to other children.
There are three sub-types of ADHD in children:
- Inattentive type
- Hyperactive-impulsive type
- Combination type
As such, there are three main types of ADHD symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Here are some of the signs you may notice in your child within each type:
Inattention:
- Finds it hard to pay attention at school or finish homework
- Easily distracted
- Has difficulty following instructions
- Appears to not pay attention when being spoken to
- Struggles to organise things
Hyperactivity:
- Restlessness and fidgeting
- Talks excessively, loudly, and quickly
- Struggles to be perform quiet activities
- Disrupts other children
Impulsivity:
- Finds it difficult to follow the rules
- Short attention span
- Interrupts others
- Struggles to wait their turn in group situations
- Does not seem very aware of danger
Inattention is a core symptom of ADHD and is something that most children will struggle with. It’s best described as the inability to focus and sustain attention on a task or activity and being easily distracted.
However, inattentive ADHD is a distinct type of ADHD and is often overlooked as children without ADHD can present similar behaviours every now and then. This is despite the fact that inattentive ADHD is often one of the most commonly diagnosed types of ADHD.
Here are the nine most common symptoms of inattentive ADHD: Trouble staying focused; Lack of attention to detail; Difficulty following instructions; Frequent ‘spacing out’; Easily distracted; Lack of organisation; Forgetfulness, Difficulty sustaining mental effort, Frequently misplacing things.
What’s the difference between ADD and ADHD?
You may have heard ADD and ADHD used interchangeably. There is no difference between ADD and ADHD. ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder) is an outdated term for what is now called inattentive-type ADHD.
ADD was the term used to describe people who struggled with attention and focus. But as it became clear that some also displayed symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, ADD was replaced by the term ADHD to better describe the condition.
The term ADHD has been used to describe both inattentive and hyperactive types since the mid-1990s. However, some still use the term ADD to indicate that the child’s condition doesn’t include hyperactivity as a behaviour.
But using this outdated term can be confusing and can also contribute to stigma. This is also why we now refer to the condition as ADHD rather than ADD.
Can ADHD kids do well in school?
Children with ADHD can absolutely thrive at school, given the right support. Having ADHD means that a child will likely find some things harder to do, but there are many ways you can support them and help them succeed.
Advocating for your child’s needs at school is important. Teachers have a lot to juggle and they may try their best to help your child learn effectively. But being involved directly as a parent gives them the best chance for success.
One of the first steps is to communicate with teachers about how your child prefers to learn. And organising regular parent-teacher meetings to discuss your child’s challenges, set goals, and determine whether they might benefit from special education services.
It’s also important to regularly ask your child questions about what they’re enjoying at school, what they might be struggling with, and what would make their experience better. Then communicate their answers to your child’s teachers.
If you’re worried your child may have ADHD, the first step is to make an appointment with a specialist. During assessment, it may be determined that your child does not have ADHD and their symptoms are related to a different health condition.
We have a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) comprised of Child Adolescent Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Mental Health therapists. We offer an initial consultation to assess a young person’s mental health, followed by a comprehensive assessment of ADHD once gaining parental and young person’s consent. Your consultant will then recommend a holistic treatment plan for your child.
Perhaps your child has already been diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like private treatment at The London Psychiatry Centre. Whatever stage of your journey, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions on 020 7580 4224 or email us at info@psychiatrycentre.co.uk
