Should my child be screened for the sleep, eating, and other disorders that commonly co-occur with ADHD?
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.
SLEEP: What sleep disorders commonly co-occur with ADHD in children?
A: In one study, about half the parents said their child with ADHD had difficulty sleeping. They said their child felt tired when they woke up, had nightmares, or had… | Keep reading on WebMD »
SPD: What distinguishes ADHD from sensory processing disorder?
A: Both disorders will make you restless and unable to concentrate. You could also find it hard to control your emotions. Children might have frequent meltdowns… | Keep reading on WebMD »
EATING DISORDERS: What distinguishes eating disorders from ADHD?
A: For individuals with bulimia nervosa, food is self-medication for anxiety, stress, anger, and boredom. Eating is stimulating, and food fills the gap. People with ADHD who… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
PTSD: Does trauma increase the likelihood for ADHD in children, and vice versa?
A: ADHD is a largely genetic condition that impacts specific areas of the brain. Because trauma affects those same areas of… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
BFRB: What body-focused repetitive behaviors common co-occur with ADHD in children?
A: Recent studies suggest that 20 to 38 percent of children with trichotillomania also meet the criteria for ADHD. Available prevalence rates are few, but they suggest that… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
TRAUMA: What should I know about the impact of trauma and stress on developing brains?
A: Under stress and exposure to trauma, the brain effectively enters survival mode. It funnels more fuel and resources into the limbic system and diverts them away from the prefrontal cortex… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
FIRST-PERSON: “Sometimes, Raising My Sensitive Child Was Hell”
“Baths, sounds, clothing textures, food textures, naptime, bedtime — almost every daily routine set off meltdowns that made our daily life hell. I called them tantrums, but looking back, they were much more than that. My thought every day was ‘just get through it.'” | Keep reading on ADDitude »
RELATED RESOURCES
SYMPTOM TEST: Sensory Processing Disorder in Children
SPD interferes with the body’s ability to interpret sensory messages from the brain, and may manifest as meltdowns or anxiety. | Take the self-test on ADDitude »
SYMPTOM TEST: Eating Disorders in Children and Teens
Does your child express concerns about their body size? Feel guilty after eating? | 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?
