Concerned that your child may have ADHD? Our pediatrician is here to help.
It isn’t always as easy as you might think to spot ADHD symptoms in your child. After all, children can naturally be unfocused, rambunctious, and forgetful at times. Of course, our Montgomery, AL, pediatrician Dr. Albert Holloway of Payne & Holloway Pediatrics wants you to be able to spot the difference between everyday inattentiveness and signs of something more troublesome. Here are answers to the top FAQs we receive from parents regarding childhood ADHD:
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of US children between the ages of 2-17. A child with ADHD experiences certain developmental changes in the brain that affect impulse control and focus. This condition will affect every facet of a child’s life from their social interactions and home life to schooling.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
The symptoms of ADHD can easily be placed under three categories: impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness. Children with ADHD becomes easily distracted and have trouble completing tasks. A child with ADHD may jump from task to task never finishing anything, may make careless mistakes, or may avoid activities that require a lot of mental energy.
Some children with ADHD may have increased irritability, anger issues, and mood swings. They may have trouble waiting for their turn and they may become disruptive. Symptoms will vary from child to child; however, these symptoms will always be present regardless of the environment.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
If you suspect that your child may have ADHD it’s important to talk with your Montgomery, AL, pediatrician to find out whether your little one should undergo an ADHD assessment. To diagnose a child with ADHD, your doctor will need to go through various evaluations and assessments, as well as talk to parents, family members, and teachers about their behavior. Once we’ve determined that your child has ADHD then we can create a proper treatment plan.
What are my child’s treatment options?
While ADHD may change as your child gets older, rarely do we see children outgrow ADHD. The good news is that the sooner ADHD is diagnosed the sooner we can start to implement behavioral therapies and interventions that can help change your child’s current behaviors for the better.
Certain interventions are also provided to the parents to help them manage their child’s behaviors. Some of these interventions will also occur in the classroom to help your child with academic performance. Many children also respond well to certain stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin to help them focus.
Payne & Holloway Pediatrics in Montgomery, AL, offers a friendly, knowledgeable pediatrician, caring staff, and a wide range of pediatric medical services and treatments. If you are concerned that your child may have ADHD, schedule an appointment with our Dr. Albert Holloway by calling (334) 244-7209.