
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (abbreviated as ADHD, and sometimes referred to as ADD in the past) is a developmental disorder that begins in early childhood. Children with ADHD may find it hard to concentrate and may become hyperactive, to the point where the condition can interfere with their schooling, friendships, or family life.
Around 1 in every 20 Australians has ADHD, and more than 3 in 4 children diagnosed with ADHD continue to experience the symptoms into adulthood.
ADHD affects the brain’s executive functioning — the ability to self-regulate and control thoughts, words, actions and emotions.
There are 3 types of ADHD:
There are 2 groups of symptoms in ADHD that can help you spot them easier in your child:
Inattentive Symptoms
Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms:
What causes ADHD?
The exact causes of ADHD are not known, and there is no single cause.
Studies have shown that ADHD symptoms are related to the biology of the brain. It is thought that genetic and environmental factors can interact to cause changes in brain development and function.
Poor sleep during the night can cause trouble concentrating the following day. It is thought that 1 in 3 children with ADHD might have sleep apnoea (a blocking of the airway during sleep), but it’s not clear whether sleep apnoea is a cause of ADHD.
If your child often snores, this might be a symptom of sleep apnoea and may be contributing to the problem.
In conclusion
It’s normal for children to get restless and distracted from time to time, and to be active and have lots of energy. But if a child has ADHD, their problems with attention and hyperactivity will be severe enough to interfere with learning and social relationships.
If you are concerned that your child may have ADHD, the first step is to see a doctor. The diagnosis can only be made after a detailed assessment of the child’s behaviour, including interviews with parents or carers and the school.
If you are caring for a child with ADHD, below are some tips that can help.
Original story and information found on the Australian HealthDirect website. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Nina Alvarez is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel. Her interests include writing, particularly about the healthcare sector and the many ways it can improve to further benefit people from all walks of life.
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