By Dr. Casey Johnston Children often display behaviors adults find problematic, like having difficulty sitting still, making embarrassing comments in public, kicking the front seat while riding in the car, or running off at the playground. When our kids act in these ways, parents sometimes wonder: Could this be evidence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? As a medical provider, I know this can be confusing because many people — adults as well as kids — struggle at times with hyperactivity or lack of focus.
For kids, it’s only when these traits significantly affect school, relationships, or home life that medical providers diagnose ADHD. Distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the three signs I look for when considering an ADHD diagnosis for a child. Distractible behavior can look different from person to person.
Some children might have difficulty sitting still and sticking with one task. Others might show subtler signs, like persistent daydreaming. These subtler signs are often more prevalent in girls than boys, but this isn’t true across the board.
A hyperactive child might have so much energy that they are constantly moving around, fidgeting, or bouncing. An impulsive child might keep touching things that are off-limits or blurting out before thinking. For teens, impulsivity can result in high-risk behavior like drinking or driving irresponsibly.
Displaying these traits does not necessarily mean your child has ADHD. Mild symptoms can be .
