It’s understandably worrying for parents going through an ADHD assessment with their child, wondering how it will impact them now and into the future. Perhaps they are already showing signs of social struggles, finding schoolwork difficult, or perhaps you have been contacted by your child’s teacher wanting to talk about their behaviour at school.
The definition of ADHD is a developmental disorder that involves delays in how well a person is able to control, or regulate, their attention, behaviour, and emotion. For a child, who is constantly growing and developing, and who struggles with these things through the normality of childhood, ADHD can significantly impact development if help is not sought soon enough.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Children?
One of the main difficulties in children is distinguishing possibly ADHD traits from normal childhood behaviours. An inability to regulate emotions, acting on impulse, selective hearing, and erratic emotions are all common childhood behaviours typical of an underdeveloped brain, but they are also signs and symptoms of ADHD. So how do we differentiate between the two?
Exhibiting at least 6 of the symptoms from one of the lists below, over at least 6 months in two or more settings – at home, school, and play – they interfere with the child's functioning and development and are apparent before age 12, then there is a possibility that ADHD might be at play.
Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD type:
Difficulty organising tasks and a need to constantly change them.
Difficulty sustaining attention.
Reluctance to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort.
Being forgetful, losing things, and making mistakes, often at school.
Easily distracted and a short attention span.
Difficulty listening to instructions, carrying out tasks, and being unable to stick to them.
Symptoms of Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD type:
Constant movement and fidgeting, particularly in calm and quiet surroundings.
Running or climbing in inappropriate settings.
Unable to play or engage in activities calmly and quietly.
Acting without thinking, interrupting conversations, and being unable to wait their turn.
Finding it difficult to concentrate on tasks and talking excessively.
Having little or no sense of danger.
How Can These Symptoms Impact a Child’s Development?
Due to delays in self-regulation, children tend to have difficulty meeting the daily expectations that increase with age, these include-
Social Development.
The symptoms of ADHD can influence how children communicate and connect with others, including understanding personal space, taking runs, compromising, paying attention to others’ feelings, and reading social cues. This can make it difficult for them to make friends, cause a strain on previous relationships, and increase the risk of social isolation.
Academic Development.
ADHD symptoms can make it difficult for children to stay on task, follow instructions, and complete projects and homework, meaning they have a high chance of lower academic performance and behavioural issues.
Emotional Development.
Emotional dysregulation is common among children with ADHD, meaning they have intense emotional reactions and find it hard to deal with frustration and anger. They may also suffer from low self-esteem and increased anxiety and depression.
Cognitive Development.
ADHD can affect cognitive functions in children, which are essential for learning and problem-solving. They can suffer from executive functioning deficits, memory issues, and a reduced attention span.
Behavioural Development.
The behavioural aspect of ADHD is one of the most noticeable, with hyperactivity being top of the list. Constant movement and fidgeting can be disruptive in classroom settings and social situations, alongside impulsivity and non-compliance.
What are the Long-Term Impacts of ADHD?
Despite being known as a chronic condition, the symptoms of ADHD change over time, as a person grows, and also with the help of mental health support and medication, children with ADHD have the ability to lead relatively normal lives. Hyperactive and impulsive symptoms tend to decline the most with age, but this tends to be replaced by restlessness. Inattentive symptoms on the other hand appear to remain over time and even though they change with life situations, they may not be suitable to keep up with daily demands.
Early intervention and support are important for children to help mitigate the risks they pose to their future. Educational interventions such as tailored educational strategies where possible to help in the classroom environment. Therapeutic support from a behavioural therapist or counsellor to help develop coping strategies and emotional regulation skills. Lastly, parental support is a must and as a parent ensure you educate yourself about ADHD and gather resources which can improve your ability to support your child effectively.
Seeking a Child ADHD Assessment? Beyond Clinics can help
We are a private ADHD clinic in Manchester with a full understanding of what it’s like to live with undiagnosed ADHD, especially in children, which can be incredibly challenging. Undiagnosed ADHD in children can impact learning, careers, and relationships, that’s why Beyond provides rapid access to ADHD assessment and diagnosis and if applicable, treatment. We aim to minimise waiting times, allowing you to start your’s and your child's journey toward better mental well-being as soon as possible.
Contact us today to see how we can help you.
