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Parenting and Behavioural Issues
: ADHD Symptoms & Causes
ADHD practically always appears before the age of 7, and usually
before the age of 4. Boys are diagnosed with ADHD about three
times more often than girls. Typical symptoms of untreated ADHD
include:
- Impulsive behavior - In other words the child rarely looks
before he leaps.
- Attention deficit - The child often has difficulty staying
focused on one activity.
- Hyperactivity - The child is often excessively active or
restless.
For a diagnosis of ADHD to be made, symptoms of inattention, impulsiveness
and/or hyperactivity must have persisted for at least six months,
to a degree inappropriate for the child's age. These symptoms
must have been present in the child before the age of seven, and
must be consistently demonstrated in at least two settings, such
as both at home and school. Symptoms must also be severe enough
to be significantly impairing the child's social and academic
functioning.
Causes
What causes ADHD is not precisely understood. But results from
some studies suggest that a small percentage of ADHD children
may have suffered subtle brain damage due to complications during
pregnancy or delivery, or from head injury or illness. However,
it's believed that in a majority of cases, certain chemical conditions
in the child's brain are genetically inherited. Interestingly,
many parents recall having had a lot of the same symptoms as those
exhibited by their ADHD child.
Other Parenting and Behavioural Issues
Topics:
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The information provided in this site is
designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to
replace the advice and care of your child's physician, nor is
it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If
you suspect that your child has a medical condition, always
consult a physician.
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