Does My Child Have ADHD?

ADD, also known as attention deficit disorder, ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a behavioral condition that is diagnosed in both children and adults. If you are concerned that your child may have ADHD, consult his doctor to be tested. ADHD can be treated with prescription medication and talk therapy, which may help
your child pay attention in school and social settings.

Doesn't Listen

A child who doesn't listen when you tell her to do her chores may be purposely disobeying you, but not always. In some cases, a child who doesn't listen may be suffering from ADHD, says the Mayo Clinic. A child who doesn't remember what she was told to do in class, or doesn't recall you asking her to take out the trash may have ADD.
Consult a doctor to determine whether your child only has her head in the clouds or suffers from ADHD.

Doesn't Follow Instructions

If your child does not follow the instructions he was given, he may not be taking a creative license, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. Children who are unable to follow directions for class assignments, or appear to do the opposite of what you have just asked, may have ADD. Looking directly into your child's eyes may help him listen more carefully when you are giving instructions. If your child is still unable to listen and follow directions, consult his pediatrician.

Doesn't Speak Quietly

Children who are diagnosed with ADHD may not be able to play quietly, even if you ask repeatedly. Although small children may have difficulty whispering in public spaces, a continued inability to speak quietly may be a sign of ADHD, says the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, children with ADHD may shout out in class and find it difficult to stay completely quiet for more than a minute at a time.

Losing Things

A child with a chronically messy room may be no cause for concern, but a child who is constantly misplacing things, doesn't put things back where they belong, and often forgets where she puts things may be suffering from ADHD, says Dr. Melvin Oatis, assistant professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine's
Child Study Center. Watch your child to determine whether her messy room is the extent of her disorganization, or if it extends into other aspects of her life.