ADD in Children - Symptoms and Treatment Options
If you think that your child may have ADD, it is important to look at the symptoms and seek proper treatment in a timely manner. ADD in children is most easily diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 12. Since children experience great amounts of mental development up to age 5, most children cannot be diagnosed until after they have finished kindergarten. After age 12, diagnosis becomes difficult because children move into adolescence and begin the next phase of mental and physical development.
ADD can cause problems at school and at home, and may hinder social development in some children. As with any condition, early diagnosis is the key to positive, long-term results. The most common symptoms for ADD in children include:
- The need to constantly move or fidget
- Easy distraction or the inability to listen and pay attention
- Difficulty using "inside voices" or playing quietly
- Excessive talking/chatter
- Trouble finishing assigned tasks
- Interruptive or intrusive behavior
There are many treatments available for ADD in children. Prescription stimulants or antidepressants are popular treatments, with non-stimulant options also available. Many doctors will often recommend a combination of prescription medications and behavioral therapy to help a child learn to manage his or her symptoms.
If your child is exhibiting many of these symptoms and is struggling in school, it is important to speak with your doctor about your options. Young children may appear to have ADD-like symptoms, but it is important to seek the opinion of trained doctors or child psychologists for a proper diagnosis. What appears to be ADD in some children may simply be an excitable personality or another underlying condition such as Bipolar Disorder or an unrelated learning disability.
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