ADD and ADHD in Children

Here’s what parents should understand about childhood ADHD.

Is your child just a little rambunctious or flighty at times or are these behaviors that they display regularly? Are they struggling in school because they are often disorganized, forgetful, or have trouble waiting their turn? If so, you may be concerned that they could have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If so, our Ventura, CA, pediatricians can provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether your child could have ADHD.

Are ADD and ADHD the same thing?

Have you heard some people call it ADD while others call it ADHD? Let us explain…when this neurodevelopmental disorder first started to gain recognition, the medical community often referred to it as ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder. These days ADD is a little outdated and we now refer to it as ADHD.

How will I know that my child has ADHD?

Most parents start to notice behavioral differences in their child before the age of 12, with many children exhibiting telltale signs of ADHD by the age of three. Common signs of ADHD include,

• Interrupting others
• Trouble waiting their turn
• Difficulty playing quietly
• Fidgeting or trouble sitting still
• Prone to outbursts and temper tantrums
• Careless mistakes
• Often misplacing items
• Jumping from task to task but never completing anything
• Difficulty paying attention or focusing when someone’s talking

Yes, we know that these are behaviors that all kids and teens will exhibit at some point; however, it’s a concern for our Ventura, CA, pediatricians when these behaviors persist for months on end and they negatively impact every aspect of your child’s life, from school to social life. If this is something that you’re concerned about, then it’s worth seeing our pediatric team to determine whether your child could benefit from proper ADHD testing.

After all, these behaviors can also be indicative of other problem such as,

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Neurological disorders
• Life stressors

If your child is showing all the signs of ADHD and it’s affecting everything from their schoolwork to their social life, then it’s time to turn to our Ventura, CA, pediatricians at Surfside Pediatrics for an evaluation. Call us today at (805) 643-7500.