ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, affects millions of Americans. October is ADHD Awareness Month, an entire month dedicated to clearing up uncertainty, reducing stigma, and encouraging people to reframe the disorder with reliable information and appropriate treatment options.
According to the C.D.C., there are between six and seven million U.S. children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, and there are likely millions more who have the disorder but have not been diagnosed. Roughly half of all children with an ADHD diagnosis are also notably disruptive, with behavioral issues present in classrooms, playgrounds, and family settings. The stereotype around a child with ADHD aligns with this image of an overactive, problematic personality. However, the remaining half of children working through ADHD do not present such obvious symptoms.
While ADHD feels like a commonly discussed disorder in today’s culture, it has only been on the map for the psychological community since roughly the 1980s. For this reason, it is not surprising that new research and information are emerging in real time. With better tools, more and more people are being diagnosed each year. There has been a 42% spike in diagnoses in the past eight years. However, very few children are being appropriately treated. Only 6% of American children are prescribed medications to treat ADHD, and about 23% receive no care through medication or mental health counseling.
Men and boys are far more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls and women. Throughout their adolescence, it is not uncommon for girls and women to go the extra mile in school and work to conceal any possible inadequacies. Here’s what to look for if you are trying to understand whether a child in your life might have ADHD:
- Begin looking for symptoms in young children, ages 3-6 years old. Most ADHD diagnoses happen when a child is age 7.
- Children who are unable to recognize other peoples’ needs and desires may have ADHD. Watch out for frequent interrupting, an unwillingness to listen, or impatience. When a young child interrupts conversations, they are indicating an inability to relate to others’ experiences.
- Does your child have frequent tantrums or outbursts? Difficulty controlling anger is a likely indicator of ADHD.
- Squirming, fidgeting, and struggling to finish things they’ve started are all classic symptoms of ADHD.
- When a child is repeatedly careless, disorganized, or forgetful, they may be displaying ADHD symptoms.
- Not all kids with ADHD are loud and unruly – sometimes, ADHD can show up as a tendency to daydream, space out, or ignore what’s happening around them.
It is important to note that ADHD symptoms can continue to show up as a child gets older and have more serious consequences. If ADHD goes unnoticed or untreated, a child may perform poorly at school. It can also impair their ability to socialize in healthy ways and conduct themselves in public. ADHD can also appear in adults. Adult ADHD is a disorder that psychologists are only beginning to study and better understand; at this point, 4% of American adults have been diagnosed. It is worth noting that recent studies show a high correlation between adult ADHD and cardiovascular diseases.
The good news is ADHD is treatable. If your child demonstrates symptoms for over six months, it is worth seeking professional care to determine whether they should move forward with behavioral therapies, medication, or both. There are a variety of measures families can take at home to help create a healthy environment for coping with ADHD. Simple lifestyle adjustments like incorporating healthy foods, dedicating plenty of time for exercise, and prioritizing a good night’s sleep are crucial for young children. Keeping a consistent schedule with clear expectations is also crucial for kids. This means getting explicit about where and when they do their homework, where to put things away, and how to behave in different contexts.
A child’s holistic experience is the foundation of our teaching approach at Maryvale. Our Early Education and After School Programs combine structured learning with play, physical exercise, and socialization. To learn more about how Maryvale supports children throughout their development, please visit our website.
