ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood. The hallmark symptoms associated with ADHD include,
- Impulsivity
- Inattentiveness
- Hyperactivity
A child may show one, two or all of these classic symptoms. These symptoms can range widely from child to child, which can make it more challenging to determine whether a child has ADHD or not. For example, one child may have trouble sitting still or may become disruptive in class while another child may have trouble paying attention, be forgetful or not complete school assignments. Both children could have ADHD.
Do you think your child might have ADHD? Many symptoms associated with ADHD are normal childhood behaviors (e.g. fidgetiness, daydreaming, or being a bit rambunctious), so if these behaviors only happen occasionally then it’s typically not ADHD. However, if these behaviors occur in all settings and it’s impacting your child’s life and relationships, then it's definitely something worth investigating.
When you suspect childhood ADHD it’s important to have a doctor you can turn to for answers and to shed light on this behavioral disorder. Here at Pediatric Specialists of Pendleton, we provide diagnostic evaluations for everything from ADHD and learning disabilities to behavioral disorders.
We have board-certified pediatricians who also know how to work with and treat children dealing with a variety of mood disorders, developmental delays, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavioral issues, and more.
Our pediatric team offers ongoing support, advice, and treatment and we know that one treatment certainly doesn’t fit all children. We work with each individual child to create a treatment plan that will provide them with the best strategies to manage symptoms in order to set them up for personal and professional success.