Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that typically starts in childhood and affects about 5 to 10% of people. Children with ADHD often have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or controlling their impulses. These behaviors can make it hard for them to do well at school, at home, or with friends. ADHD is more common in boys than girls, and most children are diagnosed around age seven.
Healthcare providers use careful processes to diagnose ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that providers talk with parents, teachers, and sometimes the child to learn about the child’s behavior in different places, like home and school. The provider will look for signs of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness that have lasted for at least six months and started before age 12. These symptoms must be seen in more than one setting, such as at home and at school, and should not be explained by another condition or by the child’s age.
The main characteristics of ADHD are divided into two groups: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Children with inattention may make careless mistakes, have trouble staying focused, seem not to listen, lose things, or be easily distracted. Children with hyperactivity-impulsivity may fidget, have trouble staying seated, talk too much, interrupt others, or act without thinking. Some children have mostly inattentive symptoms, some have mostly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, and some have both.
Providers do not use brain scans or blood tests to diagnose ADHD. Instead, they use interviews, checklists, and reports from parents and teachers.
ADHD is a long-term condition, but with the right support, children can learn to manage their symptoms and succeed in school and life.
Typical interventions for ADHD include medication, behavioral therapy, and school support. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends FDA-approved stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate, as the strongest treatment for most children. Behavioral therapy teaches parents and teachers ways to help children manage their behavior. Schools often provide extra help, like special classroom plans or an Individualized Education Program (IEP), to support learning. Using both medication and behavioral therapy is often best, as each helps in different ways. These treatments are chosen based on the child’s needs and what works best for the family and school environment.
– Dr. Greg Kostur is a pediatrician at Health West Pediatrics. He champions a holistic approach to children’s healthcare and is an advocate for Health West’s integrated behavioral health model. Dr. Kostur earned his MD from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland in 1999.
