How can I better understand ADHD, its causes, and its manifestations?
Could your child have ADHD? In this 8-part guide, you’ll find expert answers to the questions that will help you make key decisions about seeking a diagnosis.
DEFINITION: What is today’s medical understanding of ADHD?
A: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a brain disorder that affects how you pay attention and control your behavior. It happens in children and teens and can continue into adulthood… | Keep reading on WebMD »
SYMPTOMS: How can I tell if my child is showing signs and symptoms of ADHD?
A: The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — or ADHD — vary from person to person, but consist of some combination of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity… | Keep reading on WebMD »
SUBTYPES: What are the key differences between inattentive, hyperactive, and combined-type ADHD in children?
A: Signs of hyperactivity include squirming, fidgeting, tapping, talking, and constant movement, especially in situations where it’s not appropriate. Signs of… | Keep reading on WebMD »
INATTENTIVE: Why do doctors and patients often misunderstand inattentive ADHD?
A: Formerly called ADD, inattentive ADHD is characterized by disorganization, a lack of focus, poor time management… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
ADHD IN TODDLERS: How young is too young for ADHD?
A: Though no clinical guidelines exist for diagnosing ADHD in children under the age of 4, a growing number of studies suggest that ADHD symptoms first show up during these early years… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
FIRST-PERSON: “Our Long and Winding Trek to the Summit”
“I am thankful that we got a fairly early and accurate diagnosis for our kid. It turned around his poor self-esteem and helped him understand that he’s not damaged; he’s just neurodevelopmentally unique.” | Keep reading on ADDitude »
“Dear Parent of a Newly Diagnosed Kid”
“It’s OK to feel mad. It’s OK to feel it’s not fair that the universe handed this diagnosis to your kid. Your kid is hard. You can love your kid to the moon and back and still look at him and think, you are hard.” | Keep reading on ADDitude »
RELATED RESOURCES
SYMPTOM TEST: ADHD in Children
Could your child’s distractibility, blurting, and difficulty remaining seated be due to ADHD? | Take the self-test on ADDitude »
SYMPTOM TEST: Inattentive ADHD in Children
Symptoms can show up as missing instructions, forgetfulness, and difficulty sustaining attention. | Take the self-test on ADDitude »
8-Part Guide to ADHD Diagnosis in Children, from WebMD x ADDitude:
> DECISION 1: How can I better understand ADHD, its causes, and its manifestations?
DECISION 2: How can I understand the aspects of ADHD that might be new to the doctor?
DECISION 3: How can I improve the odds of an accurate ADHD evaluation for my child?
DECISION 4: How can I find a professional to diagnose and treat my child’s ADHD?
DECISION 5: What should a thorough evaluation for pediatric ADHD include and exclude?
DECISION 6: How can I be sure my child’s evaluation screens for psychiatric comorbidities?
DECISION 7: How can I be sure my child’s evaluation considers look-alike comorbidities?
DECISION 8: Should my child be screened for the sleep, eating, and other disorders?
