Does your child have difficulty sitting still and doing anything? Does he/she run around and jump around a lot? Or do you feel like he/she is not paying attention to what is being said? Along with these things, you may have also heard of ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) . Many parents are worried about this. So today, let's talk about what ADHD really is, and how the brain of a child with ADHD is different from the brain of a child without the condition.
ADHD is not the child's fault or a lack of intelligence!
First of all, the most important thing we all need to understand is that ADHD is not a child who is naughty, lazy, stubborn, or lacking in intelligence. It is a medically recognized condition. Experts have found that there are certain differences in the structure, function, and chemistry of the brains of people with and without ADHD.
Think of it this way: our brain is like a complex computer made up of many parts. Each part performs different tasks.
1. Structural Differences in the Brain
The frontal lobe is the part of our brain that is at the front of our head. It is like our 'control room'. It controls many important functions such as thinking, planning, making decisions, focusing, memory, controlling emotions , and controlling impulses.
Studies have shown that this frontal lobe of the brain in children with ADHD may develop a little later than other children, just like they may grow taller a little later than other children in their class.
It has also been found that some parts of the brain that control emotions and impulses may be slightly smaller in children with ADHD. There may also be a slight reduction in overall brain volume, especially during childhood.
2. Functional Differences
It's not enough to just have parts of the brain , those parts need to be well-blooded and 'worked'. In ADHD, there may also be some changes in blood flow to the frontal lobes of the brain. This means that the functioning of those parts may be slightly reduced.
The higher-level mental skills controlled by these parts are called executive functions . Simply put, they are like the CEO in our heads. They are responsible for planning, organizing, finishing tasks, and managing time. This is one reason why these things can be difficult for a child with ADHD.
Not only that, but there may also be differences in the way different parts of the brain 'talk' to each other (functional brain connectivity). Imagine, in a well-functioning team, everyone communicates well with each other. But if the connection between each other is weak, work gets messy, right? Something similar sometimes happens in the ADHD brain.
3. Chemical Differences in the Brain
Our brains carry information back and forth through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters . They're like postmen. Two of these messengers are mainly involved in ADHD. They're dopamine and noradrenaline .
Dopamine is a chemical that is very important for our happiness, satisfaction, motivation, and attention.
A child with ADHD has an imbalance in this dopamine system in their brain. Either there is not enough dopamine, or the brain is unable to use the dopamine it does have properly.
This is why doctors prescribe stimulant medications for ADHD. These medications balance dopamine levels and help the brain function.
How does a doctor know for sure if someone has ADHD?
ADHD is not easy to diagnose. A doctor uses internationally accepted guidelines to accurately diagnose it. It is called the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) . According to this, in order to determine that a child has ADHD, symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity must persist for a long time, to the point where the child's development is impaired.
You can clearly see what these characteristics are from the two tables below.
| Symptoms of inattention | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Neglecting small things at work, making careless mistakes. |
| 2 | Difficulty staying focused, whether at work or play. |
| 3 | Not seeming to listen when talking. |
| 4 | Difficulty completing tasks by following instructions. |
| 5 | Difficulty in getting work done in an orderly and organized manner. |
| 6 | Avoiding or disliking work that requires long periods of mental effort. |
| 7 | Frequent loss of things needed for work (pencils, books, toys). |
| 8 | Easily distracted by external things. |
| 9 | Frequent forgetfulness in daily tasks. |
| Symptoms of Hyperactivity & Impulsivity | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Flapping hands or feet, fidgeting in a chair. |
| 2 | Getting up from a chair when you should be sitting. |
| 3 | Running and climbing at inappropriate times. |
| 4 | Inability to play quietly or engage in leisurely activities. |
| 5 | Always appearing to be 'running' or 'on the go'. |
| 6 | Talking non-stop. |
| 7 | Rushing to answer a question before it has been answered. |
| 8 | Having difficulty waiting for one's turn. |
| 9 | Interrupting (interrupting) the speech or actions of others. |
Other factors needed for diagnosis
Not every child with these symptoms has ADHD. A doctor will also look for these things to make a diagnosis:
- Most of these symptoms must have started before the age of 12 .
- These characteristics must be displayed in two or more places (e.g., at home, at school, in extracurricular activities).
- These symptoms must cause significant impairment in the child's social, educational, or daily functioning .
- These symptoms must not be explained by another mental or medical condition.
If you have any concerns about your child, it's best to talk to a qualified doctor about it. Don't try to diagnose yourself by looking up information on the internet. A doctor will make the best decision after thoroughly examining your child and getting information from you and your child's teachers.
Take-Home Message
- ADHD is not something that is caused by the child or the parents' fault. It is a real medical condition that involves the structure, function, and chemistry of the brain.
- Having ADHD does not mean that a child is less intelligent. It just means that they have a difference in the way they think and process information.
- If you suspect that your child has these symptoms, please consult a pediatrician or psychiatrist for advice.
- With proper diagnosis, treatment, and support, children with ADHD can live successful, happy lives just like other children. So don't panic, and follow the right medical advice.
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