Common Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Children

Are you concerned your child might be struggling with ADHD? Dr. Carol Calabrese, Dr. Inna Meskin, and Dr. Alexis Capozzoli, Renee Thomas APN,  and Joe Larena APN at Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta, NJ, can provide a proper diagnosis and customized treatment and management plan.

Common Signs of ADHD in Children

ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common condition in both children and adults. Unfortunately, it can go undiagnosed and leave children being labeled as “lazy,” “messy,” “uncaring,” and many other hurtful terms.

As a parent, you want the best for your kids and don’t want something they don’t understand to impair their lives. Recognizing the symptoms of ADHD empowers parents to seek help when it’s needed. Dr. Calabrese, Dr. Meskin, Dr. Capozzoli, Renee Thomas APN,  Joe Larena APN, and the team at Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta, NJ, share the most common signs below.

Understanding the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is typically categorized by a combination of symptoms that are considered inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive.

Signs of Inattention

In short, the condition can cause the child to become easily distracted from their current task or activity. This typically shows in ways such as:

• Trouble following directions, especially if they are multistep directions
• Difficulty focusing on you, their teacher, or their homework
• Losing track of their belongings, from their shoes to their backpack
• Forgetting things consistently, such as permission slips that need to be signed

Signs of Hyperactivity

You might have heard of kids with this disorder being described as “jumping off the wall” or “full of energy.” This can describe all kids from time to time but is more consistent with ADHD. It can lead to issues such as:

• Climbing on furniture or up a tree even if they know they shouldn’t
• Being unable to sit still
• Fidgeting, especially in class or in waiting rooms

Signs of Impulsivity

We’ve all known someone who acts before they think. Children with ADHD do this quite often. They might:

• Interrupt others
• Break in line
• Take someone else’s items without permission, even if that means taking it out of the other person’s hands

These actions are often misunderstood as being rude or ill-mannered, but that is not the case. A diagnosis can help you, your child, and those around you better understand what is going on and find ways to manage the condition.

If you think your child is displaying any signs of ADHD, schedule an appointment with Dr. Calabrese, Dr. Meskin, Dr. Capozzoli, Renee Thomas APN,  and Joe Larena APN at Skylands Pediatrics in Sparta, NJ, for a proper diagnosis. You can reach our office by calling (973) 729-2197.