Does your child have trouble sitting still? Does he or she have trouble focusing and completing a task? You may be wondering if your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

For starters, a diagnosis of ADHD is based on a combination of inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive behaviors that are inappropriate for the age of the child. And most of the time, ADHD is not diagnosed until a child enters school. Why? Because virtually all preschoolers have trouble paying attention and sitting still! So, don’t book a consultation with your child’s doctor because your preschooler doesn’t want to sit around during storytime.

Here’s what you need to know about ADHD:

Q. Is ADHD hereditary?

Yes. Interestingly, ADD [attention deficit disorder] and ADHD tends to run in families. Often, a parent realizes he or she has the disorder when his or her child is going through the evaluation process.

Q. What signs should I be looking for in my child?

    * Hyperactivity: A child will constantly fidget with his hands or body. He may seem like he is always on the go. He may have trouble sitting in his seat or playing quietly. And, he may talk incessantly.

    * Impulsivity: A child will have trouble taking turns in play. He may blurt out answers in the classroom or interrupt other children’s activities. As a result, he may be rejected by his peers.

    * Inattention: A child may be very disorganized and have trouble completing tasks, even ones that are fun. He may be forgetful and gloss over details.

Q. What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?

The “H” stands for hyperactivity. Kids with ADD are not fidgety or loud and so they have fewer behavior problems in the classroom. Thus, they often are diagnosed later — often a child will be eight or nine before ADD kids are identified.

Q. If I am worried about ADD/ADHD, who should I turn to for help?

Start with your child’s teacher. He or she can fill out a checklist that demonstrates your child’s successes and challenges in a classroom setting. You will also be asked to do an assessment of your child in your home setting, as well. The next step is to discuss the finding with your child’s doctor. The doctor may conduct the complete evaluation and treatment process himself, or he may refer your child for additional evaluations and potentially, treatment with a specialist.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...This answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.

yes.

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My child is in 7th grade this year, we have never had issues with grades or her not keeping up with assignments.She is never still , she talks consistently , she has been having problems sleeping. She will lay in bed for hours before falling asleep. we have tried different things to help her settle down at night but still no improvement. Her grades have fallen really low. Her sister has ADHD ,who is 16 years old , is on medication. once we started her on meds her whole life became better. I have always suspected my 7th grader having it also but have tried to handle it with the same modifications we did with our 16 yr old. I am not sure where to start with her, the doctor we used for testing with our oldest is no longer here in our town. My main concern is the lack of sleep she is getting. Also she is always being told to calm down and that she does not always have to be talking. Does it sound like i should get her tested?

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the User.The opinions expressed here are solely those of the User.
User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.

Yes

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the User.The opinions expressed here are solely those of the User.
User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.