Common symptoms to help diagnose your child
ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in the modern world. According to recent studies, an estimated 6.4 million children aged 4-17 seem to suffer from it. ADHD is primarily a set of symptoms and not a stand-alone condition, as it requires an in-depth diagnosis to identify the various causes behind the child’s actions.
As we uncover the reasons behind the condition and label them, let us remember that ADHD is a little more than “my child is hyperactive” or “my kid won’t listen.” It is somewhat more complex, and the child’s symptoms are persistent and intensified.
We at Lupash Games have vast experience in this particular field. With multiple encounters and interactions with children with ADHD, we know and comprehend their hardships and their parents’ challenges.
So, we understand that ADHD, in essence, has layers that we need to peel off and behavioral patterns to identify for us to be able to validate its existence. In simple terms, there’s no singular core symptom we’re looking for but a much vaster collection of repetitive patterns and frequent to the point of exhaustion for the surrounding environment.
The key to uncovering ADHD is initially understanding the underlying effects. First is the perceived impact on society and societal structures, as you immediately notice the hardships and difficulties of children with ADHD to grasp and integrate societal boundaries and limits.
Kids with ADHD tend to have less control over their lives, or it is harder for them to put things in order than most kids. They usually lack self-discipline and struggle to regulate what others may perceive as “misbehaviors” or “acting out of line.” The level of maturity is low, and there are considerable developmental delays.
So, now that you know where to begin, let us break that down into ten practical suggestions on your way to narrowing down the behavioral patterns of ADHD in yourself and your child:
• Procrastination: Children with ADHD often delay doing their chores to the point of rushing them at the end. Lack of information (not knowing what to do or where to start), brain stimuli, and motivation are the core reasons why someone with ADHD would wait until the alarm goes off and genuinely need to get going.
• Negative thoughts: They are susceptible; the world around them causes them to feel anxiety and brings back overwhelmingly painful memories triggered by the most mundane things – for instance, a negative piece of the evening news.
• Lack of concentration: With a hyperactive brain, it’s hard to comprehend everything they hear. They tend to overlook the details, and, many times, for the person who deals with them, it feels as if they are absent from the conversation, although they might still be engaging in it. On the contrary, when something hits home and they find the conversation stimulating – when it touches a subject they find endearing – they become over-engaged in what is known as hyper-focus.
• Impulsivity: One of the core behaviors that stands out the most, and you notice it immediately. It manifests itself in many ways. A few prime examples include: a) interrupting others frequently during a conversation, b) misbehaving; c) not considering the consequences of their actions; d) rushing through tasks. These are the most noticeable traits.
• Unfinished tasks: With ADHD, you are constantly on a quest to find the next best exciting thing. The problem with this hyperactive mind begins when you’re having a problem completing something that you have already started.
• They cannot wait their turn: They want things to be done, and they want them done now. Impatient behavior is part of their impulsivity. These kids can’t stand still and wait for something to happen organically as it’s too slow for their minds to perceive. The lack of stimuli when waiting their turn causes them to feel anxious, hence making them react hyperactively to the perceived stillness.
• Interrupting: This is a self-focused behavior, as it is hard for them to recognize other kids’ needs. A child with ADHD tends to interrupt others while talking or engaging in other activities they are not a part of.
• Sometimes suffering from social anxiety: Often, due to them feeling different, they tend to distance themselves or avoid social encounters for fear of saying or doing something inappropriate. This is the cause for them not trying to converse in the first place, as it may feel like the safer option.
• Hyperactive mind: Their relentless brain is always on command. You have your answer if you ask yourself why someone with ADHD acts as they do.
After you confirm the diagnosis, and as frustrating as ADHD might feel to both the parent and the child, ADHD is treatable. In this second installment we will display numerous methods to help you deal with your child’s ADHD.