According to studies, ADD/ADHD affects at least 8% of children in school. This condition is commonly characterized by a child’s inattention. The disorder is usually diagnosed in children but may also occur in adults.
Diagnosis of the disorder is often done through a series of tests, both physical and psychological, to determine the patient’s attention span on a given subject. One of the known methods used for diagnosing ADD/ADHD includes the DSM-IV criteria, which are often used in North America.
DSM –IV and others
Inattention is among the first symptoms that manifest in cases of ADD/ADHD. This involves not paying close attention to details, often not finishing school activities, not listening when spoken to, and avoiding activities that require too much mental effort.
Next up is hyperactivity. Children with ADD/ADHD often talk excessively and have trouble staying at one spot. They do not usually respond to requests that they remain seated, and if they do so, fidgeting almost always happens.
The third symptom used is impulsiveness. This is characterized by the child usually interrupting conversations and not being able to wait in line.
Most parents would say that the above mentioned symptoms are typical of most kids, but the DSM-IV criteria also specify that the given symptoms should be prevalent before the child turns seven. Other mental disorders like schizophrenia should already be eliminated as possibilities. The signs must be something that the child not only does at school or at home but at any setting he or she may encounter. The problems must also seriously impact the child for it to be diagnosed as ADD/ADHD.
Other diagnosis methods that have been put up include short tests that act like a computer game. This aids in measuring a person’s attention span. Also, it has been said that EEGs are quite effective in diagnosing ADD/ADHD due to the fact that there are changes in certain brain functions that should be noted in this condition.
Diagnosis
The fact that ADD/ADHD can be very confusing with bad behavior prompts doctors to do more than perform a single test to correctly diagnose this condition. Usually, the doctor would start off with a regular physical exam before going through an interview process. It is ideal for the doctor to talk to the parents as well as other people the child interacts with on a daily basis to understand exactly how the child acts and behaves. Child and doctor interaction is also to be expected since the doctor would have to eliminate the possibility of other factors influencing the child, which could be the reason for the condition. The fact is that ADD/ADHD symptoms are also signs associated with depression and stress.
Exceptions
If you are still in the process of observing your child prior to taking him or her to the doctor, then it is important to look for the symptoms mentioned above. However, please note there are actually ADD/ADHD cases that do not display all these symptoms.
Inattentive type
One of the three subtypes of ADD/ADHD includes the condition that is predominantly inattentive. This means that the child has problems following instructions and finishing tasks, although they are not necessarily hyperactive.
Hyperactive-impulsive type
A child may not necessarily be inattentive, but he or she runs around too much or cannot stay in one place even though it is expected of him or her.
The combined type
As the name suggests, this subtype comes with all symptoms and is the most common today.
Treatment and medications
The above mentioned details are the ones to look out for if you suspect your child of having ADD/ADHD. Although it may seem vague, especially since the symptoms are pretty common for children, some elements are bound to stand out.
Treatment for ADHD takes the form of medication and therapy. Both are necessary for the child to adapt to his or her situation and grow up as a well adjusted adult. Medications are prescribed by doctors and take many forms. The fact is that the drugs used for ADD/ADHD can be quite strong, hence, the need for constant supervision from parents. Your doctor might also have a good recommendation for a therapist who is well acquainted with the condition. Be aware of the fact that ADD/ADHD is not curable but only treatable or manageable. This means that the symptoms may be tampered down but never totally cured.
What you can do
As a parent, it is important to be supportive of the activities your child is required to take. A keen talk with the child’s teacher will also yield better results when it comes to the child’ educational status. There should be no problem when it comes to school and it is not always necessary to enroll the child in a special class.
Learn as much as you can about ADD/ADHD to be able to help and understand you child as he or she grows.