The ADHD checklist

Most children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are diagnosed in or before the first grade. ADHD is a behavioral disorder that tends to lead children to act without thinking. Approximately 8 to 10 percent of school-aged children are affected by ADHD, and it typically affects boys more than girls.

Preschool or elementary teachers usually notice common behaviors linked to ADHD and contact the parents to discuss their child's problems. ADHD cannot be cured but it can be managed. Most children have a reduction in ADHD symptoms as they develop through late childhood and early adolescence. Some of the most common behaviors of ADHD are:

• Inability to pay attention
  
• Organizational problems
  
• Homework problems
  
• Forgetfulness
  
• Excessive talking, fidgeting or squirming
  
• Difficulty remaining seated
  

You and your child should contact your doctor for an ADHD test. Report to your doctor if your child has undergone dramatic life changes such as; a divorce, a move, an illness, change in school, or other events that lead to a child acting out or becoming forgetful.

If you suspect your child has ADHD, you should try testing them at home before taking them to a medical doctor. Begin by writing down your child's behavior for the past 6 months. You will need to determine if you child has inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsive behavior. Let's start with inattention. First write down how often you have noticed the following behaviors in your child:

• Failure to give attention to detail such as schoolwork.
  
• Difficulty paying attention in school or at home when given a task
  
• Daydreaming, or problems with paying attention when spoken to directly
  
• Does not follow through when given instructions
  
• Has difficulties with organization
  
• Avoids or is reluctant to any tasks involving mental effort
  
• Misplaces or loses things that pertain to homework
  
• Forgetful in daily activities
  
• Easily distracted
  

If you child has at least 3 or more of those symptoms, you should take that information to your doctor and discuss treatment options with them. Now if you noticed your child has one or two of those symptoms, you should further test them for hyperactivity. The following are symptoms pertaining to hyperactivity:

• Fidgets or squirms when told to sit
  
• Leaves seat in classroom
  
• Runs or climbs too much
  
• Has difficult being quiet when pregnant
  
• Acts "on the go"
  
• Talks to much

Many parents try treating hyperactivity themselves with proper diet and exercise. This method has been shown to work; however, it is not effective for all children. Some children may require medication to calm their hyperactivity. The last diagnosis of ADHD is impulsive behavior, the symptoms include the following:

• Blurts out answers before question has been asked
  
• Has difficulty being patient, or waiting their turn
  
• Interrupts or intrudes on others such as butting into conversations or games
  

As with the other diagnosis of ADHD, you should write down all the behaviors your child has and take them to the doctor for further testing. It is important for a parent to be patient with a child who has ADHD. Realize that the child is not intentionally ignoring you and they are not dumb or lazy. Changes in daily routines can be extremely upsetting for a child who suffers from ADHD. You can help your child focus by removing any distractions from the room when it is time to do homework or focus on specific tasks.

Remember that ADHD cannot be cured, it can only be treated. You need to work closely with your child's doctor and teachers to develop an individualized, long-term plan. Your ultimate goal is to help your child learn how to control their behavior so it will not affect them into adolescence or adulthood.

The tests performed on your child should also include an examination of your child's visual and auditory skills. Some children may have visual or auditory processing problems that have not been detected. Before you jump to the conclusion that your child has ADHD, evaluate some of the following symptoms and report them to your doctor:

• Short attention span or daydreaming in class
  
• Poor visual/motor skills, poor handwriting
  
• Clumsiness at home or on the playground
  
• Tilts or turns head to see
  
• Loses place frequently when reading
  
• Rubs eyes after short periods of reading
  
• Omits small words
  
• Transposes words and numbers
  
• Complains of headaches or dizziness
  
• Only can read for short periods of time
  

As you can see, many vision problems correspond with the diagnosis for ADHD. Early detection and treatment of vision problems will help your child's learning problems. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD and vision problems, they can face a far greater challenge than other children their age. Catching these problems early is essential for proper learning and growth of your child's future.

Once your child has been diagnosed, you need to be aware of what treatment methods are available for ADHD. Of course, most children diagnosed with ADHD are treated with prescription medications such as stimulants like Ritalin. Many parents have noticed significant improvement in their child's behavior and schoolwork thanks to the drugs. Some parents do not believe in using prescription medications on their child and opt to use other methods. Most doctors will develop a strategy to help treat your child with ADHD.

Behavioral therapy has been shown to be one of the most effective methods for treating ADHD. By giving clear directions and a consistent lifestyle pattern to your child, they begin to develop behavioral changes from negative ones to positive ones. It has been proven that children need structure. By creating a consistent routine, you will help your child know what is expected of them. Organize your child's daily routine, place their backpack, clothes, and toys in the same place every day so they will be less likely to lose them.

Teach your child how to avoid distractions by turning off the television, radio, and games when they are focusing on homework. Always limit your child's choices to be between two things so they aren't overwhelmed or over stimulated. Avoid long-winded explanations with your child. Using clear, brief directions with your child will help them understand their responsibilities. Don't be afraid to discipline your child. By using timeouts or removal of certain privileges, your child will quickly learn better behavior. You can also use goals and rewards to teach your child how to track positive behavior and then reward them for their efforts. Remember, they are a child and not an adult so don't expect an overnight change. Help boost your child's self esteem. Helping your child learn talents about themselves will help them to experience success within themselves. It will also teach them concentration and social skills by being involved in music, art or sports.

By taking the time to sit down and help your child with ADHD on a daily basis, you can impact their future tremendously. Some children need to be enrolled in tutoring or occupational therapy in addition to their treatment program. Once your child has been tested for ADHD and you have developed a treatment program, it is important to work with your child on a daily basis. Don't loose your patience with your child. Again it is important to remember that they need time to adjust and learn just as you do.

Recent studies have linked some cognitive functioning to diet. Studies have found that a significant number of children with ADHD are deficient in essential fatty acids. Fatty acids have been shown to make the brain release nerve tissue in the body and they are critical for proper growth, mental function, immunity to colds and viruses, and brain development. Our body cannot produce two fatty acids called Omega-3 and Omega-6. By incorporating these fatty acids into your child's diet, you may help reduce the effects of ADHD.

Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in corn, sunflower, canola and sunflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, mackerel, sardines and flax seeds. Many people are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, especially children. Males require higher amounts of essential fatty acids than females. Studies have shown that many childhood learning problems are associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. It is recommended that a child with ADHD should eat at least 2 servings of fish, or food containing Omega-3 fatty acids, a week. An increase in ADHD diagnosis in the last 15 years has shown that currently 1.5 million children ages 5 through 18 are taking medication for ADHD. This means that approximately 3% of school children are on medication! The stimulant medication typically prescribed called Ritalin is up 250% since 1990. It's not hard to implement a few changes around your house that may save your child from consuming prescription medications on a daily basis.

Once you have gone over the ADHD checklist with your child's doctor, start to help your child immediately. The sooner you catch ADHD and begin treatment, the better chance your child has for learning skills that will significantly impact their future.