Does My Child Have ADHD? Promoting Awareness Among Parents

We all have heard about ADHD. But do you understand what it is? Parents need to know how kids with ADHD function differently, its signs and symptoms, and how to distinguish ADHD from other disorders, such as learning problems, executive functioning issues, and clinical issues, such as anxiety.  Understanding how ADHD is diagnosed is confusing and maybe a long journey for parents, but getting to the root cause is so vital in helping your child thrive.

People with ADHD have brains that work differently.  When we look at their brainwave activity with a QEEG brain map, we see that they have too many unfocused and insufficiently focused brainwaves. This combination of brainwaves makes it hard for people with ADHD to pay attention, have impulse control, and avoid distractions. 

One study looked at how the QEEG can help diagnose ADHD. They tested 60 kids with ADHD and 20 kids without it. The results showed that the brains of kids with ADHD had more slow waves, less of a certain brain activity called Beta LF, and a higher ratio of Theta/Beta LF compared to kids without ADHD. This shows QEEG might be useful in diagnosing ADHD and understanding what's happening in the brain that causes it (Elmagd Elkholy et al., 2020).

Often, people misunderstand ADHD or even misdiagnose it. We usually think that everyone with attention difficulties always has the brain-based disorder ADHD. However, there are a lot of things that can interfere with our focus and attention. 

For example, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive thinking, and inadequate sleep can all make it harder for you to pay attention. So, just because your child can't focus doesn't mean that 100 percent of the time, it is ADHD. You have to look at the root cause to get the proper treatment so your child can be successful at home, school, and socially. 

We always need to look at the reasons because problems with attention can creep up and cause challenges at home and school, which is also frustrating for you and your child. Considering what else happens in that child or teen's life is essential. Could it be depression? Anxiety? 

A lot of the time, I see anxiety and depression impacting attention in very much the same way that ADHD might affect someone with learning in all areas of life. This is often very surprising to parents, so we need to remember to peel back the layers and look at the source of the issue.  We also need to consider when it starts because it is essential to keep in mind that if someone does have ADHD, symptoms need to begin before age seven. 

How to Spot ADHD Symptoms

There are many different ways that ADHD can show up in a child. So, understanding the signs and symptoms of ADHD is vital in getting your unfocused child the right kind of help at school and home. Some kids are fun and easygoing but easily distracted, and then some kids with ADHD can be impulsive. 

Other kids may call them “obnoxious,” even though that isn't true. However, it means they have difficulty putting their breaks on, which means difficulty with impulse control. This may wear out friendships in school environments and outside of school. 

It is hard for kids with ADHD who are impulsive because they don't want to do what they are doing, but they can't seem to slow down enough to switch gears or pump the breaks. This creates a lot of shame for the child or teen with ADHD who is “always in trouble.”

There are also a lot of kids with ADHD who are incredibly bright, and this helps them compensate for attentional and executive functioning issues. They can memorize information at school, so they look much more capable than they are. 

These kinds of kids can do very well until you put a lot of work on them with tight deadlines, have to complete tasks requiring a lot of executive functioning, or be very organized. This is when you may notice inconsistent grades, forgetfulness, or behavioral issues as they begin to fail. 

For example, you may see your child write a paper but need help finding it, or they never turned in an assignment because they never started it, even though they know the material. When executive functioning is required with a lot of written output, this is when kids with ADHD break down. 

As a parent, you may see inconsistencies in your child's grades or what I call their output. One of the things that is hardest for parents to understand about ADHD is that these kids can pay attention to what their brain is interested in, but paying attention to boring things is almost impossible for them. 

Their brain hyper-focuses on high-interest areas and wants to ignore stuff in low-interest areas. When someone who does not have ADHD is doing an activity that is boring to them, they can future-think and say, “Well, I need to take this class to pass my licensing exams.” However, an ADHD brain would say, “That is so boring,” and try to find something else that is interesting to them. 

Getting their brain to regulate enough to be focused, have good executive functioning, and be able to take independent action is critical to their future success and can be achieved with neurofeedback

How to Spot ADHD Symptoms

There are many different ways that ADHD can show up in a child. So, understanding the signs and symptoms of ADHD is vital in getting your unfocused child the right kind of help at school and home. Some kids are fun and easygoing but easily distracted, and then some kids with ADHD can be impulsive. 

Other kids may call them “obnoxious,” even though that isn't true. However, it means they have difficulty putting their breaks on, which means difficulty with impulse control. This may wear out friendships in school environments and outside of school. 

It is hard for kids with ADHD who are impulsive because they don't want to do what they are doing, but they can't seem to slow down enough to switch gears or pump the breaks. This creates a lot of shame for the child or teen with ADHD who is “always in trouble.”

There are also a lot of kids with ADHD who are incredibly bright, and this helps them compensate for attentional and executive functioning issues. They can memorize information at school, so they look much more capable than they are. 

These kinds of kids can do very well until you put a lot of work on them with tight deadlines, have to complete tasks requiring a lot of executive functioning, or be very organized. This is when you may notice inconsistent grades, forgetfulness, or behavioral issues as they begin to fail. 

For example, you may see your child write a paper but need help finding it, or they never turned in an assignment because they never started it, even though they know the material. When executive functioning is required with a lot of written output, this is when kids with ADHD break down. 

As a parent, you may see inconsistencies in your child's grades or what I call their output. One of the things that is hardest for parents to understand about ADHD is that these kids can pay attention to what their brain is interested in, but paying attention to boring things is almost impossible for them. 

Their brain hyper-focuses on high-interest areas and wants to ignore stuff in low-interest areas. When someone who does not have ADHD is doing an activity that is boring to them, they can future-think and say, “Well, I need to take this class to pass my licensing exams.” However, an ADHD brain would say, “That is so boring,” and try to find something else that is interesting to them. 

Getting their brain to regulate enough to be focused, have good executive functioning, and be able to take independent action is critical to their future success and can be achieved with neurofeedback. 

How Does ADHD Affect a Child's Behavior?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can profoundly influence a child's behavior, with its distinctive ways of affecting a person’s life. Here’s another illustration: Sarah is a 9-year-old child with ADHD. Sarah often finds it challenging to concentrate on her schoolwork. 

She frequently becomes distracted by the slightest noise or movement in the classroom. During math class, while the teacher explains a problem, Sarah's attention wanders, and she needs to catch up on crucial instructions, leading to incomplete assignments and low grades.

Moreover, Sarah's hyperactivity is apparent during recess. While other children play games or sit and chat, Sarah constantly fidgets, unable to remain seated for more than a few minutes. She races around the playground, climbing on equipment with seemingly boundless energy. Despite warnings from the teachers to be careful, Sarah impulsively jumps from the swings, narrowly avoiding accidents.

At home, Sarah's parents notice her organizational struggles. Her room is in perpetual disarray, with toys strewn across the floor and clothes spilling out of her drawers. When asked to tidy up, Sarah becomes overwhelmed, unsure of where to begin, and quickly loses interest in the task. Consequently, her belongings remain scattered, causing frustration for Sarah and her parents.

Furthermore, Sarah's impulsivity often leads to social challenges. During playdates, she struggles to wait her turn in games, frequently interrupting her friends or insisting on her way. This behavior sometimes conflicts with her peers, leaving Sarah feeling misunderstood and isolated.

ADHD profoundly shapes Sarah's behavior, impacting her academic performance, social interactions, and organizational skills. Despite these challenges, with understanding and support from her family, teachers, and healthcare professionals, Sarah can learn strategies to manage her symptoms and thrive in various aspects of her life.

However, ADHD in girls may look different that ADHD in boys. A study by Abikoff et al. (2002) observed the differences in classroom behavior between boys and girls with ADHD, as well as differences based on the presence of other conditions like anxiety disorder or disruptive behavior disorder. 

They found that both boys and girls with ADHD behaved differently compared to their peers without ADHD, with boys showing more rule-breaking and externalizing behaviors, while girls showed more verbal aggression. 

Additionally, children with comorbid ADHD showed higher rates of rule-breaking and impulsive behavior compared to those with ADHD alone, suggesting that these behaviors are truly present and not just influenced by biases in reporting.

What To Do as a Parent of a Child With ADHD Symptoms

When we start understanding what ADHD is, we can teach our kids about their superpower brains and how they can learn to pay attention even when things seem dull. Giving kids the right tools to flourish and do well is essential. Kids with ADHD also do well with a lot of structure and predictability, so their brains can get to a higher level of work without remembering the routines.  

Establishing consistent routines at home is beneficial as they create structured daily schedules for activities like waking up, meals, homework, and bedtime. These help provide predictability and stability, which can comfort your child. Visual schedules and checklists can aid in organization and task management.

Furthermore, teaching your child coping strategies to manage their ADHD symptoms is invaluable. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or using fidget tools can help them maintain focus and regulate their emotions.

Promoting healthy habits, including adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and limited screen time, supports your child's overall well-being. Additionally, highlighting their strengths and successes is crucial to fostering their self-esteem and resilience.

How Mental Health Professionals Diagnose ADHD

So you may be wondering, “How do I diagnose my child with ADHD?” I am here to tell you that if you suspect your child has ADHD, it is crucial to find a specialist who works with children with ADHD. You also should ensure that there are no medical sources of their difficulties, such as having nutrient deficiencies. 

Often, kids with ADHD are diagnosed after only having a simple and short interview. I do something called a QEEG Brain Map, which is a great way to check under the hood and make sure your child does have ADHD while ruling out other things like learning problems, anxiety, or even depression. 

ADHD is often misdiagnosed, which can quickly happen because things like learning and processing issues or anxiety can interfere with one's attention. It is a big reason why many kids and teens don't do well on ADHD medication because they simply are misdiagnosed with ADHD when it may be something else. 

You have to know what the issue is before you can treat it. It is such a common sense thing that, unfortunately, isn't the standard of care, and instead, the standard of care in mental health is to guess without checking under the hood. 

Are you looking to find an experienced neurofeedback provider who can do a brain map or brain check? We work with kids, teens, and families worldwide with our virtual neurofeedback program. 

Again, a lot of different sources could be impacting your child's attention, which is why it is imperative to find someone who specializes in ADHD. We want to gather objective data and lab work; QEEGs are my favorite starting method. 

Neurofeedback for ADHD is a beautiful and well-researched treatment that regulates the brain so you or your child can focus, shift gears, and have an output that matches their smartness. Check out my blog on Natural Treatments Can Help ADHD and 9 Supplements for ADHD to learn more about holistic treatments and recommendations. For more information, check out my YouTube video on Does My Child Have ADHD?