Solutions for parents who are concerned their child might have ADHD
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Loading... - Charlotte Brown
- 02 Nov 2022
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With kids back at school for a few weeks now, parents have likely started receiving feedback from teachers about their child’s performance and behaviour in class. If you are hearing that your child is struggling with paying attention, sitting still or controlling their emotions, you might be wondering about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr. Jennifer Crosbie, a clinical psychologist from The Hospital for Sick Children, says the hallmark characteristics of ADHD are difficulties with attention, concentration, hyperactivity and impulsivity. She has answers for parents with questions about this common neurodevelopmental disorder.
What age is ADHD typically identified?
Most often, difficulties associated with ADHD are identified in the early school years — on average, at around Grade 1 or 2. That’s when symptoms or traits tend typically start causing impairment, particularly in school. Kids start having difficulty with things like sitting in class, following a routine, or playing recreational activities and sports.
Why do some kids develop this disorder and others don’t?
There are other factors, but we know genetics is a significant part of what underlies ADHD. We also know it’s the most common childhood mental health disorder, occurring in about six per cent of kids.
ADHD is diagnosed more in boys than girls at a rate of about four to one. With girls, it can be a bit harder to identify. Girls can have a slightly different presentation than boys — less on the hyperactivity and impulsivity side. Yet even accounting for that, it is more prevalent in boys. Read More...
