All about ADHD
Worried about ADHD and other attention difficulties? You’re not alone. Here’s an in-depth guide to help you and your family navigate your concerns with confidence.
ADHD is a real challenge for today’s families. About 9% of American children 2-17 have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.
If you’re noticing that your child seems to struggle with focus, hyperactivity, or self-control, you might be worried that they have undiagnosed ADHD. And if you already know ADHD is part of your family story, you might be looking for additional support. This guide is for you.
Sections in this Guide
“The important thing to know about ADHD is that we can easily identify it, and provide care and treatment early enough to make a difference for the rest of a child’s life.”
– Helen Egger, MD
Co-Founder and Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Little Otter
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
As you might guess, this term describes to a difficulty with attention, focus, hyperactivity, and/or working memory. Kids living with ADHD tend to be physically active (or “squirmy”), fidgety, impulsive, impatient, and/or full of energy. A child living with ADHD might seem daydreamy, forgetful - and bouncy!
How Many Kids Have ADHD?
While estimates vary, it can be helpful to think about how common ADHD is. With a prevalence of about 1 in 20, every classroom in America has on average at least one kid with ADHD.
There are actually three different types of ADHD, including what’s described colloquially as ADD. (Today, people sometimes use the term “ADD,” but it’s not a medical diagnosis.) They can all be referred to as ADHD. That’s what we’ll use for the rest of this guide.
Does ADHD Impact Boys and Girls Differently?
ADHD is diagnosed at twice the rate in boys as compared to girls. Girls tend to have less hyperactive symptoms and more inattentive symptoms which can be more difficult to detect. This leads to a significant under diagnosis of ADHD in girls.
ADHD is a common concerns for parents and caregivers. We’re here to help! Book an appointment to help you determine if it’s time to worry.
What are the Signs of ADHD?
If you’re worried your little one might have ADHD, here are some things to look out for:
They have trouble waiting their turn.
They seem to always be fidgeting or wiggling.
They tend to interrupt other people or have trouble focusing on others.
If they’re older, they might be easily upset. A younger child might have tantrums.
Finishing tasks and activities are difficult for them because they get distracted.
Their things aren’t organized, or they struggle to get organized.
They seem daydreamy or unfocused.
They struggle to play quietly or relax.
They try to avoid doing tasks that could take more mental energy, like homework.
They make “simple” or “avoidable” mistakes or struggle to follow instructions.
They seem to forget things easily.
They appear to lack self-control or self-management skills.
Does it seem like your little one experiences a lot of these? It might be time to start your ADHD journey.
How Do You Know if a Child Has ADHD?
If you’re wondering, “How can you identify ADHD in little kids? They’re all active!” you’re not alone. This is a really common question. The truth is, it’s easier to spot than you’d think!
There are 18 key symptoms for ADHD. It’s really common for a child to have one or two of those symptoms, but that doesn’t mean they have ADHD.
A child actually needs to have six or more symptoms to be diagnosed with ADHD. Here’s how Little Otter approaches ADHD assessments and diagnoses:
Start By Gathering Info
We start with a series of validated tests (Vanderbilt), and collect details from parents, teachers and the child themself. For current Little Otter families, we’ll lean on some of the information you’ve already shared, too.
Next Up: Intake Interviews
Next, we schedule a series of sessions to conduct an extended intake interview. The truth is, a quick 50-minute session isn’t enough to make a diagnosis! We need to spend a little more time together to make an accurate assessment.
Finally, A Diagnosis!
We apply all of our clinical expertise to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative data you’ve shared, and make an informed diagnosis. Then, we’ll build this into your Care Plan to make sure your whole family feels supported.
A Holistic Approach to ADHD Care
Did you know that ADHD typically shows up with other mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and/or oppositional behavior? In fact, addressing the root cause of ADHD challenges can help with anxiety, depression, and behavior. That’s part of why an extensive assessment is needed in step two. We simply can’t skimp on this part!
Research indicates that there’s a large genetic component to ADHD, and it tends to run in families. We can provide ADHD care for both parents and their little ones, since we have board-certified psychiatrists who can treat adults and children.
Little Otter offers a wraparound approach to care. We’ll look at the entire context of your family story when developing a Care Plan that works for you.
When to Worry about ADHD?
Does your little one seem to have a lot of the symptoms we shared above? Are those behaviors negatively impacting your home life or their ability to succeed in school? If so, it might be time to talk to a mental health professional soon.
The earlier you can identify ADHD and begin treatment, the easier it will be for your kid long term.
When it comes to mental health, early intervention is key. In fact, taking action early can reduce the impact of ADHD over the course of your kid’s life!
It may seem surprising given how much media attention it gets, but ADHD is actually pretty rare!
Even better, care and treatment are available early, and can make a big difference.
If you’re still worried, it’s definitely valuable to talk to a trained professional.
How is ADHD Treated?
Medications are a trustworthy first-line treatment, and are always considered in children age 6+ diagnosed with ADHD.
Every treatment plan is unique, but know that both therapy and medications are available.
For example, in Little Otter therapy sessions, kids and caregivers work together to understand how ADHD is impacting their lives. The therapist will work with your family to identify tactics and tools that can help you navigate those challenging situations. They’ll keep working with you to make sure you feel supported.
In many cases, medication can be prescribed to help kids manage their emotions and control themselves better. We use the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines in our approach to treatment, and they recommend medications being considered when the diagnosis is made.
If you decide to seek additional help with Little Otter, our mental health providers will evaluate ADHD in the context of your family to design a Care Plan that helps your whole family thrive. We can and do provide support with ADHD medication management, too!
Early Intervention Matters.
In early childhood - from birth to around 6 years old - your little one is learning to create close relationships with others; to feel, manage and express emotions; and to explore and to learn. The foundation for lifelong health and wellness is established in early childhood.
If we can identify mental health concerns early, we can intervene and help prevent children from developing mental health challenges as they grow.
When you’re ready to explore how we support your child and family wellness, we’re here. Because there’s no health without mental health.
Additional ADHD Resources
