ADHD Q & A
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a chronic condition that makes it difficult for children to pay attention, sit still, and exhibit self-control. While all children struggle with focus and self-control during their developmental years, children with ADHD don’t exhibit much improvement in these areas, even as their peers begin to hone these skills with help from parents and teachers.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
Children with ADHD show symptoms from any combination of three different categories:
Inattention
Kids who suffer from inattention are easily distracted, often lose things, don’t always seem to be listening, have problems organizing daily tasks, make careless mistakes, don’t pay attention, and find it difficult to follow directions and finish tasks.
Hyperactivity
Kids who exhibit hyperactivity have a hard time sitting still and playing quietly. They frequently fidget and squirm, talk excessively, and are always on the go. Their actions can be disruptive to others, often unintentionally.
Impulsivity
Impulsive kids generally act before thinking. They might interrupt others, blurt out answers, and do things without asking for permission. They might also have a hard time waiting their turn, take risky actions, and have excessive emotional reactions to situations.
What causes ADHD?
The cause of ADHD is not entirely clear, but it does tend to be hereditary. Some researchers theorize it’s a result of certain chemical imbalances, or particular conditions that might affect the development of a child’s brain, such as an injury, exposure to lead toxins, or poor health during pregnancy due to nutritional deficiency, infections, smoking, drinking, or substance abuse.
Contrary to some mistaken beliefs, ADHD is not caused by too much sugar, food allergies, poor parenting, bad schools, or too much screen time.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
Dr. Okoh will first give your child a medical checkup to ensure that their symptoms aren’t being caused by something else, such as a hearing or vision issue. After that, she’ll assess their behavior, health, and activity to determine whether or not to proceed with ADHD treatment. She might ask for you and your child’s teacher to fill out some behavioral checklists to get further information.
What is the treatment for ADHD?
There are a number of ways to treat ADHD, such as:
- Medications
- Behavioral therapy and psychotherapy
- Parental coaching
- School support
Dr. Okoh has had great success in treating patients with ADHD, and with her help and guidance, your child will finally be able to find relief from their symptoms.