October is AHDH Awareness Month. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is
a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to pay attention, control
impulses, and be still.
According to a 2022 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11.4
percent of children in the U.S. between the ages of three and 17 have been diagnosed
with ADHD, about seven million.
Because of the prevalence of AHDH diagnoses, especially in children, Hope Willis,
Marietta’s Special Education and ELL Co-Director is sharing some symptoms and
behaviors that parents should be on the lookout for.
“Inattention is one of the main symptoms of AHDH,” Willis said. “Children with ADHD
will have difficulty staying focused on tasks, especially ones that require sustained
effort. They’ll make frequent and careless mistakes, lose things, and often seem not to
listen when spoken to directly of forget to do daily tasks like homework and chores.”
Another behavior that Willis brings attention to is hyperactivity. Many children with
ADHD constantly fidget and squirm and can’t seem to sit still. They also may have
difficulty engaging in quiet activities, often talking excessively or interrupting others.
Often children with ADHD display impulsivity. They may have difficulty waiting for their
turn or act without considering consequences.
“Children with ADHD also having trouble regulating their emotions,” Willis said. “They’re
easily frustrated or upset and may have emotional outbursts and quick mood swings.”
Difficulty with social skills is also a trademark of ADHD. Children who suffer with the
disorder often struggle to maintain friendships or appear overly aggressive or intrusive
during playtime.
While it is important that parents know what to look for when it comes to ADHD, it’s also
important that they realize that the failure to diagnose and treat ADHD can bring a host
of consequences, such as struggles at school, low self-esteem, difficulty with
relationships, and behavioral problems.
“One thing that is really concerning to us is that untreated ADHD is often linked to other
mental health conditions like anxiety and depression,” explained Willis. “Early diagnosis
and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for children with ADHD.”
If you believe your child has undiagnosed ADHD, contact your pediatrician or your
child’s teacher.