Does My Child Have ADHD?

Does My Child Have ADHD?

Slightly less than 8.5 % of children have ADHD. Given how much confusion there is about the condition, it is no wonder that you may be asking yourself "Does my child have ADHD?". In Gaithersburg, MD, Pediatric & Adolescent Care has an experienced staff of board-certified pediatricians who are also parents. 

What is ADHD?

According to the CDC, ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental childhood disorders. It is usually diagnosed in childhood but lasts into adulthood.  If your child has ADHD, you may notice that they are overly active and have trouble focusing, which can lead to problems in school.  

Types of ADHD

Three primary types of ADHD have been identified. When it comes to determining which one your child might have, the symptom that is the most predominant determines which type they have. The three types are:

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
  • Combined Presentation

Symptoms of ADHD

ADHD has many symptoms and depending on the age of your child, they need to have either 5 or 6 of the symptoms to be considered as having the condition. Some symptoms are:

  • Non-stop talking
  • Is scatterbrained
  • Can't sit still
  • Daydreams a lot
  • Is reckless
  • Has trouble making and keeping friends
  • Doesn't like waiting to take turns
  • Is impulsive
  • Often gives in to temptation
  • Has difficulty with organizational skills
  • Gets distracted easily
  • Can't concentrate enough to do longer tasks

Diagnosing ADHD

When it comes to diagnosing ADHD in Gaithersburg, MD, there is no one test that gives a definitive answer to whether or not your child has this condition. Healthcare professionals use set criteria to determine whether your child has ADHD. The guidelines are in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition. 

 In order to have a diagnosis of ADHD, the behaviors need to happen consistently across different settings. Your healthcare provider should talk to several different people who interact with your child to see a pattern that is consistent no matter where they are. Your child also needs to have a physical exam so that other possible causes can be ruled out before determining that  ADHD is the cause. 

At Pediatric & Adolescent Care, our pediatricians can help to diagnose and treat ADHD in Gaithersburg, MD. For an appointment for an evaluation, call our office at (301) 869-2292.

Our Location


Pediatric & Adolescent Care, P.A.

 (301) 869-2292

 903 Russell Avenue, Suite 301 Gaithersburg, MD 20879