Identifying ADHD in Kids: Signs Every Parent Should Know

Did you know that 1 in 9 kids in the United States is diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), prompting researchers to label it a growing public health concern? 

And when we say growing, we’re referring to the fact that between 2016 and 2022, ADHD diagnoses in kids rose by an alarming 1 million.

Given the rise in ADHD, you, as a parent or guardian, are understandably concerned, and you want to better understand the signs. After all, aren’t all kids a little hyperactive and unfocused?

To help you identify whether your child’s behaviors meet any of the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, our experienced team of pediatric neurology experts, including Dr. Nina Tsakadze, here at Complete Neurological Care, pulled together a few of the more common hallmarks. If you are concerned your child is displaying signs of ADHD, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our team. 

A quick word about ADHD

Before we get into the behaviors and signs associated with ADHD, we want to set the scene a little more.

First, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only diagnosing ADHD in kids between the ages of 4 and 18. Any younger and the signs can be confused with normal toddler behaviors.

Also of note is the fact that ADHD tends to develop in boys far more than girls. Of the kids diagnosed with ADHD in the United States, boys outpace girls by almost 2-1. 

Armed with this knowledge, let’s get into common signs of ADHD in children between the ages of 4 and 18.

Recognizing ADHD signs in children

Each child is unique — some are naturally more quiet while others are more boisterous. That said, there’s a good deal of common ground when it comes to ADHD signs and behaviors, some of which we review here.

There are three sides to ADHD that we want to flesh out with the behaviors associated with each.

Inattention

With inattention, you might notice that your child:

• Loses interest and doesn’t finish projects
• Doesn’t pay attention to detail
• Can’t focus and listen for any length of time
• Constantly loses things
• Forgets chores 
• Is easily distracted

We know that most kids are easily distracted and don’t pay attention, especially when their interest isn’t piqued, but with ADHD, the inattention goes far beyond normal childhood inattention.

Hyperactivity

With the hyperactivity piece of the puzzle, you notice that your child has trouble sitting still, and they fidget and squirm a lot. Kids with hyperactivity also:

• Talk loudly
• Race around instead of walk
• Interrupt
• Struggle with waiting their turn

Again, kids are little bundles of energy under normal circumstances, so we’re looking for abnormally high levels of hyperactivity.

Impulsivity

This last feature of ADHD describes behaviors in which your child acts before thinking, no matter the consequences, because they lack self-control.

The above information is really just meant to guide you. The only way to know for sure whether your child may have ADHD is to come see one of our experts for a full evaluation. And the earlier you do so the better, as we can help your child better navigate their formative years with effective ADHD treatments and strategies. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to helping children with ADHD lead more productive and fulfilling lives. 

To set up your child’s ADHD assessment, all you need to do is schedule an appointment today at one of our convenient locations in Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, or Coral Springs, Florida.