Your forgetful child never seems to follow directions or listen. He's always bouncing all over the place, or her head is perpetually in the clothes. You're hoping against hope that it's just a phase that your child will eventually outgrow, but you also have a nagging suspicion that ADHD or attention deficit hyperactive disorder might be the culprit. Should your child get an ADHD test? Before seeing a doctor, take time to consider these questions first.
How many ADHD symptoms do you see?
Hyperactivity is the most common symptom of ADHD, although many children with the disorder can be very calm and orderly. Other symptoms include difficulty completing tasks, paying attention, sitting still, and remembering things. However, it's important to remember that these are typical childhood behaviors, and that the context of these "symptoms" must be taken into account.
How severe are the symptoms?
It's not enough to count the symptoms. The most important consideration is, are these problems interfering with your child's ability to function? Are teachers complaining about your child's behavior at school? Do these behaviors disrupt family life and affect relationships? Is your child having difficulty making or keeping friends because of this behavior? Is your child academically behind? If the answer is yes to all of these questions, you might want to seek the help of a specialist.
Are there other developmental issues?
If the answer is no, chances are your child will calm down and grow out of the "symptoms" with time. But if your child is still struggling with language, reading, and motor skills, you might want to see a specialist right away. It's not uncommon for kids with ADHD to experience o-morbid learning disabilities. The earlier these get detected, the easier it is to treat them.
How is your child's school situation?
Many parents learn about ADHD because of teacher complaints or recommendations that your child get tested. But before taking their advice, consider your child's school environment first. Simple changes, such as having your child sit near the front, can eliminate distractions and help your child focus better. There is also the possibility that your child might find the curriculum or the method of teaching boring and uninteresting; sometimes, switching to a more engaging school is enough to bring back the enthusiastic learner in your child. In other words, try out simple classroom solutions first before getting your child tested for ADHD.
Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is adhd.
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