There are many conditions that affect people right from childhood. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of these conditions. ADHD is as psychiatric disorder. That means it cannot be cured, but it can be managed successfully so that the individual can live a normal life. Although there are adults with ADHD, they are certainly people who had the disorder from childhood. The disorder does not develop suddenly in adult hood. That makes early detection of very crucial in managing ADHD. Here are some of the things that should make you suspect ADHD in children.
Prenatal signs
It is believed that children with ADHD will start showing signs of the disorder right from the womb. This might sound very incredible but there are many testimonies as to that effect. Many mothers have testified that their unborn children who are later diagnosed with ADHD were too active in the womb. Such children kicked more vigorously in the womb. This has not been proven in a scientific manner but later developments seem to prove this right.
Sign in preschool years
Children with ADHD in their preschool years will find it difficult to sit quietly for just a few moments. They can’t follow simple instructions and directions. They are very impulsive and get angry for little or no reasons at all. Such children may enter into very uncontrollable tantrums. They show a lot of impatience as they break in line at the playground, and interrupt those who are playing or talking.
Other signs include constantly running and jumping with no or little sense of danger. ADHD children appear to have a very high energy level. If you take such children out for shopping, they may refuse to sit quietly in the stroller or shopping cart. They may embarrass you by throwing tantrums if you refuse to buy what they say you should buy for them.
Why is early detection of ADHD important?
Early detection of the symptoms of ADHD is very important because it allows for further diagnosis to confirm the observations. It should take about six months of observation to conclude that a child is suffering from ADHD.
Early detection will allow for treatment to start early. The disorder could be treated even though it cannot be cured. There are many ways it could be cured. These include medications, therapies and behavior training. The earlier the treatment is started the better the results. That makes early detection very crucial.
If left undetected and therefore untreated, the consequences might be very serious. Some of these are as follows.
The individual may carry the disorder into adulthood, which will pose a problem to their quality of life. Adults with ADHD are less organized people. They suffer the consequences of their disorganization in many ways. They are likely to be involved in traffic offences and even accidents.
They may be seen as social misfits. It is likely that adolescent girls with ADHD will be involved in early sex whiles their boy counterparts might end up abusing substances.