Does your little one fidget without playing with any of the toys left at home, climb on chairs, jump off the sofa, and fidget without listening to what you say? Although it is normal for young children to fidget, do you sometimes feel that this fidgeting is a little too much and difficult to control? As a parent , it is normal for you to feel worried about this. So today, let's talk about whether this excessive fidgeting, restlessness, and lack of attention could actually be a symptom of a condition called ADHD.
Simply put, what is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , is a behavioral condition associated with childhood development. It has three main characteristics: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity .
Often these symptoms become apparent during school age. But did you know that sometimes doctors can diagnose ADHD in children as young as 3 years old? In fact, one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD are preschoolers. So it's important to be aware of this, rather than just dismissing it as "bad" or "naughty."
What are the signs that my child may have ADHD?
A child with ADHD has a harder time staying in one place than other children his age. He can't wait his turn, he jumps to the front of a line, he jumps in when someone is talking. Do you see this kind of behavior in your child?
But remember, just having one or two of these symptoms doesn't mean your child has ADHD. For a doctor to determine that this is a condition, these symptoms must be present for at least 6 months . And these behaviors must be seen in multiple settings, such as at home, at preschool, and while playing outside.
The table below lists some common ADHD symptoms that can be seen in a preschooler. See if these closely match your child.
| Characteristic/Behavior | This means... |
|---|---|
| Unwillingness to stay on one task for more than 5 minutes. | If you give them a coloring book, they'll throw it aside in two or three minutes and start doing something else. They don't like to listen to a story. |
| Talking and making more noise than other children. | They are always talking and yelling, even when they are playing. It is difficult to stay quiet even when they should be quiet. |
| Losing focus quickly at work. | They play with a toy and then suddenly put it aside and run away. They don't do a single task until it's finished. |
| Always climbing on top of things. | Not only on chairs, tables, and sofas, but sometimes they even try to climb dangerously on cupboards and windows. |
| Frequent injuries due to working too fast. | Because they're always running and jumping, they're always falling, bumping into things, and getting injured. |
| Behaving dangerously. | They jump onto the road without looking at the road, try to jump from high places, and play with dangerous things. |
| Failure to follow instructions. | Even if you say something simple like "Give me that ball," they don't listen and do something else. It's not because they're disobedient to you, but because they're not paying attention. |
| Interrupting the speech or work of others. | You jump in while talking to someone else, and you interrupt other kids while they're playing. |
How does a doctor decide this?
If you suspect your child has ADHD, the best thing to do is see a pediatrician . A doctor won't diagnose it with something like a blood test. They use several methods to do so.
First, the doctor will ask you, the child's father, the preschool teacher, and other adults who care for the child a lot about the child's behavior. The doctor will also talk to the child and observe how the child behaves.
It's important to note that sometimes vision, hearing, speech, or sleep problems can look like ADHD. So the doctor will first check for other causes.
Typically, a doctor will follow these steps:
- We talk in depth about the child's behavior and medical history at home and at preschool.
- Ask about signs and symptoms that are worrying you.
- Questionnaires are used to assess the child's behavior .
- Health tests are performed to check for other medical conditions besides ADHD.
It is very important to identify this condition early, because then, at an early stage in a child's brain development, they can be taught the skills, good behaviors, and ways to deal with problems they need.
What are the treatments for ADHD in a preschooler?
Here's something you, as parents, need to know. If a preschool-aged child has ADHD, experts will first recommend behavioral therapy , not medication .
This behavioral therapy is not just for the child. It also provides training and counseling to you, the parent. It teaches you methods to help you control your child's behavior, teach him good habits, and build his self-confidence.
- Play Therapy: A therapist helps a child talk about their thoughts and feelings while playing with them.
- Talk Therapy: Talking to the child and helping them with their mental problems.
- Parent Training: This is the most important part. You will be taught how to manage your child's behavior, how to set boundaries for your child, and how to reward good behavior.
This training requires time and effort, but the long-term results are worth it.
Then won't you give me medicine?
Only if behavioral therapy does not improve your child's severe symptoms, may your doctor decide to prescribe medication. This medication is usually started after the age of 4.
These medications work by stimulating the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters). The doctor will always start with a very low dose . If necessary, the dose will be adjusted later.
These medications are not without side effects. They can include loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia, and growth retardation. However, many studies have shown that these side effects go away after the medication is stopped.
The decision to give or not to give medication is a very sensitive one. This is not a decision you should make alone. Talk to your child's doctor and together, decide what is best for your child.
Take-Home Message
- ADHD is not a "bad" or "naughty" child. It is a real condition that requires medical attention.
- If you are concerned about your child's behavior, don't just wait and see, but consult a pediatrician as soon as possible.
- The first and best treatment for preschool-aged children is behavioral therapy, and parental involvement is essential.
- Medication is a second option, and should only be used for severe symptoms and under the close supervision of a doctor. Discuss any decisions about this with your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න