Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The number of parents who are having schools tell them that their child has ADHD and needs medication is on the rise. While there are instances where the problem is real and children need to be evaluated for medication, too many children are being misdiagnosed with attention issues. The only way to know for sure if it is indeed a real problem is to talk to a therapist with experience in children with ADHD.

There is a little confusion when it comes to these disorders, as parents are unsure of the difference between ADD and ADHD. The “H” is for hyperactivity, which means the ADD child has attention issues, but is not considered hyper. These kids tend to lose focus and have a short attention span. ADHD kids are more inclined to disrupt the flow of the classroom by blurting out answers, unintentionally hitting peers, and possessing a level of energy that seems impossible to contain.

Issues that appear to look like ADD or ADHD:

There are a number of things that can cause a child to be inattentive. Kids with anxiety issues or learning problems are commonly misdiagnosed as being ADD or ADHD.

Anxiety tends to lead to forgetfulness and an inability to focus, usually because the child has their mind on the things that are troubling them. Children with learning disabilities are also frequently misdiagnosed. Sometimes the problem here is as simple as the child needing glasses or being recognized as dyslexic. It is hard for a child to say that they don’t understand something, and they will choose to act out instead. What that means is that the child will disrupt the class, forget homework, or routinely lose things, all to divert attention from the fact that they cannot understand what is being taught.

Without an outside evaluation, you may never know what the real issue is with your child. There are some schools who would rather cover up the problem with medication, which is why attention disorders are so often misdiagnosed. There is always the possibility that it is an attention disorder that is ailing your child, but it is still best to get a professional diagnosis so that you can see all of the treatment options available.

One of the biggest concerns that parents of ADD and ADHD children have is with the use of medications. Not very child needs to go that route, as it is possible to treat some kids by giving them small tasks to do at a time. For example, when it is time to get dressed in the morning, don’t simply ask them to go get dressed. Instead, start by asking them to put on a shirt. Once that is complete, ask that they get their pants on, and so on. It is much easier for them to deal with one small thing at a time, which helps improve their memory. Adding in age appropriate rewards can also help. When it comes to medication, you should only make the decision to go that route if you truly believe it to be the best course of action. Consulting with your child’s therapist is a good place to start.  They can at least tell you if there is indeed an attention issue.  Many parents want to try behavioral techniques first, leaving medication as a last resort. If the child has fallen very far behind in school, there may not be time to try anything other than medication (always consult your medical doctor and/or therapist to get guidance on whether an assessment for medication would be helpful). Therapists can help with the behavioral side of things, but it is a medical doctor you should consult with if medication is the path you choose. He or she can decide which form of medication is best suited to your child and their specific needs.