ADHD in children: what is it, how to recognize it and how to treat it?
“The child has a vivacity that is difficult to manage”. Unfortunately, many parents wonder if they have made a mistake in raising their child who cannot seem to sit still for a moment. However, what if this hyperactivity was due to ADHD and not to “a complicated character”?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and is thought to be present in 4-5% of the child population. Recognizing the signs of this disorder early and starting an appropriate treatment path is essential to help children manage the symptoms and ensure their best emotional, cognitive and learning development.
Spoiler: Diet and activity can also influence ADHD symptoms!
Read on to find out everything!
What is ADHD in children
The acronym ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than typically seen in children of similar developmental levels.
In children, ADHD can significantly affect their social, emotional, and academic development.
Causes of ADHD
The exact causes of ADHD in children are not yet fully understood, but several factors are thought to be involved, including:
- Genetic factors : Twin and family studies have demonstrated a strong heritable component.
- Neurobiological factors : Structural and functional differences have been observed in the brains of children with ADHD.
- Environmental factors : Although they are not considered the main causes, according to some studies, environmental factors, such as alcohol and smoking during pregnancy, could contribute to the development of ADHD in genetically predisposed children. In addition to this factor, even the use of TV from the age of 0 to six , according to several studies published in the journal Pediatrics, could influence the development of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders due to the unreal and fast images of many programs that are able to alter brain development.
How to Recognize a Child with Attention Deficit: ADHD Symptoms
The key symptoms of this condition are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity and must be present for at least 6 months and appear before the age of seven .
In recent years, significant progress has been made in recognizing ADHD in children because previously a hyperactive child with attention difficulties was considered “overactive” or “difficult to have”.
In particular, children with ADHD :
- have difficulty completing any task that requires concentration;
- they don't seem to listen to anything that is said to them;
- they are excessively lively, run or climb, jump on chairs;
- they get distracted very easily;
- they talk continuously, answering hastily before hearing the whole question;
- they are unable to wait their turn in a queue or in a work group;
- they may show serious learning difficulties that risk making them fall behind their classmates, with emotional damage.