Pediatric ADHD
What is Pediatric ADHD?
Pediatric ADHD—attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to regulate attention, activity level, impulses, and executive functioning. Children with ADHD may primarily struggle with inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or a combination of both.
ADHD is more than occasionally being distracted, energetic, or impatient; symptoms are persistent, interfere with daily functioning, and typically appear across settings such as home, school, therapy, and social situations.
Pediatric ADHD Signs & Symptoms
It is important to remember that children develop at different rates. A behavior by itself does not mean a child has ADHD. There is also no single test for ADHD; healthcare professionals consider the child’s developmental history, behavior in multiple settings, and whether another condition could better explain the symptoms.
| Age | Signs Parents May Notice |
|---|---|
| Preschool: 3–5 | Constantly moving, climbing or running; difficulty sitting for meals or activities; frequently interrupting; difficulty waiting; quickly moving from one activity to another; trouble following simple directions; very short attention span even compared with peers; difficulty with transitions; intense frustration when asked to wait or stop an activity. |
| Early Elementary: 6–8 | Difficulty staying seated or focused in class; frequently losing pencils, folders or belongings; forgetting directions; rushing through schoolwork; careless mistakes; excessive talking; interrupting teachers or classmates; difficulty completing multi-step tasks; trouble taking turns; becoming distracted by noises, people or objects. |
| Elementary: 9–11 | Difficulty organizing homework and belongings; forgetting assignments; procrastinating or avoiding tasks requiring sustained attention; starting projects without finishing them; difficulty managing time; appearing not to listen; impulsive decisions; excessive talking or fidgeting; social challenges related to interrupting or acting before thinking. |
| Middle School: 12–14 | Missing assignments despite understanding the material; difficulty managing multiple classes and deadlines; poor time management; losing track of responsibilities; difficulty planning larger projects; restlessness rather than obvious hyperactivity; impulsive comments or decisions; frustration with school expectations; difficulty maintaining friendships. |
| Teen Years: 15–18 | Chronic procrastination; difficulty prioritizing and organizing; forgetting appointments or deadlines; difficulty focusing on lengthy or less-interesting tasks; impulsive decision-making; internal feelings of restlessness; difficulty managing increased independence; problems balancing school, activities, work and social responsibilities. |
ADHD can also look different from one child to another. For example, a child with predominantly inattentive symptoms may appear quiet, dreamy, forgetful or disorganized rather than disruptive. CDC lists common signs such as frequent daydreaming, losing or forgetting things, fidgeting, excessive talking, difficulty resisting temptation, trouble taking turns, and challenges getting along with others.
When Should Parents Consider An Evaluation
Consider talking with your child’s pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional when attention, impulsivity, activity level, organization or emotional/behavioral challenges are consistently interfering with:
- Learning or completing schoolwork
- Following directions and routines
- Friendships and social interactions
- Family routines
- Independence with age-appropriate tasks
- Emotional regulation
- Safety or impulse control
- Participation in activities
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends evaluating children ages 4–18 for ADHD when they have academic or behavioral difficulties along with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity.
How Therapy Smarts Can Help
For a child with ADHD, treatment isn’t necessarily about making a child “sit still.” The larger goal is helping the child develop skills and strategies that allow them to participate successfully at home, at school, with friends and in the community.
At Therapy Smarts, a child’s needs can be looked at from multiple perspectives through pediatric Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Mental Health services, ABA, and Psychological Evaluations.
Occupational Therapy (OT) can address skills that may affect everyday functioning, including attention to tasks, sensory processing and regulation, executive functioning, organization, transitions, fine-motor skills, handwriting, routines and independence with daily activities.
Mental Health services can support emotional and behavioral needs that may accompany ADHD. Therapy may help children develop coping strategies, emotional-regulation skills, problem-solving abilities, confidence and healthier ways to respond to frustration.
Psychological Evaluations can help families better understand a child’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral and developmental profile and identify areas where additional support may be appropriate.
Speech Therapy may be beneficial when a child also experiences communication challenges. Support may address following and organizing directions, social communication, conversational turn-taking, expressing thoughts clearly, or other speech and language needs identified through evaluation.
Physical Therapy may be appropriate when ADHD occurs alongside gross-motor, coordination, balance, strength or motor-planning challenges.
When multiple needs are present, having services available through the same pediatric therapy practice can also make it easier for professionals to collaborate around the child’s overall goals.
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.
If you’re noticing ongoing difficulties with attention, impulsivity, emotional regulation, organization, sensory processing, communication or participation in everyday activities, you don’t have to wait for those challenges to become overwhelming before asking questions.
Call Therapy Smarts at (919) 378-1340 to learn more about pediatric evaluations and services available through our Durham and Chapel Hill clinics.
Ready to Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential?
At Therapy Smarts, we don’t believe in a “wait and see” approach. We believe in early, expert intervention that gives your child the tools they need to thrive. Whether you are looking for specialized Down Syndrome support or a comprehensive developmental evaluation, our award-winning team in Durham and Chapel Hill is ready to partner with your family.
Two Easy Ways to Begin:
Contact Us Directly: Ready to schedule? Call us at 919-378-1340.
Fill out our Online Inquiry Form to speak with a member of our intake team.
Don’t navigate this journey alone—let’s unlock your child’s possibilities together