Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro
Pediatrician
Dr Shapiro completed his undergraduate education at UC San Diego earning a B S in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a B A in Political Science He furthered his education at UCLA where he earned a Masters Degree in Public…
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How Do I Know If My Child Has ADHD?
16
Posted in ADHD / ADD by Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro on Sep 29, 2009

Now I realize there are plenty of members here at Daily Strength who have been diagnosed (or maybe know someone close) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), so please keep in mind this article is geared toward the parent of a child who is just hearing the ADHD/ADD diagnosis being thrown around for the first time.  Think of it as an introduction to ADHD.  What I do ask of our fellow Daily Strength members is to share your experiences as to when your diagnosis (or your child's) was originally made as they may help other members answer some of their own questions regarding a possible ADHD diagnosis.

 

ADHD (and at this point I will group ADD under the same umbrella) describes a situation where a child or individual will have difficulty in a few major tasks of executive function.  Some of these tasks include being able to organize and plan, handle a change in mindset or direction, process memories (as well as store them), and control one's emotions.  And according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV), there are three basic forms of ADHD:  1. attentional   2. hyperactive/impulsive  3. combined-both attentional and hyperactive.  For the parent, think of a child who cannot sit still in class, interrupts frequently, and has a difficult time focusing on the task at hand.  And bear in mind, these tendencies are often found in both the classroom and at home.  But, PLEASE, PLEASE keep in mind that a child's intelligence is not at question here.  In fact, some of the most amazing minds I know come from those with ADHD.

 

How common is ADHD?  Numbers vary but somewhere around 5% seems to be the consensus.  Boys seem to be diagnosed a bit more frequently than girls (around 2:1 or 3:1), but it should be noted as we have improved our diagnosis of those with just the inattentiveness component, the ratio between males to females appears to normalizing.  But probably another question many may wonder is whether those diagnosed as children will have this condition as an adult?  And the numbers, well, they tend to be all over the place but the general consensus is over 50% will still be affected as an adult. 

 

And what seems to be at the root of ADHD?  Well, because the frontal cortex is involved in executive function, studies have shown this area of the brain is certainly involved.  Furthermore, neurotransmitters (and specifically the cathecholamines) involved in this part of the brain's function are known to play a role as well.  In fact, in a future article I will discuss current treatment measures for ADHD and it's safe to assume the cathecholamine discussion will be brought up once again.  However, there is more to the puzzle and I am confident a greater understanding of ADHD will occur over these next few years.

 

As far as what to do when a parent is faced with this concern.  Please discuss with your child's pediatrician/care giver as testing needs to be performed, either by your pediatrician or other professional well versed in ADHD.

 

I look forward to hearing any questions, thoughts, or experiences you might have.

 

 

Dr. Jeremy


CATEGORIES: Answers
CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: ADHD / ADD  •  Anxiety Disorders in Children  •  Family Issues  •  Gay Parenting  •  Grandparents Raising Children  •  Military Families  •  Parenting 'Tweens (9-12)  •  Parenting Big Kids (5-8)  •  Parenting Newborns & Infants (0-1)  •  Parenting Preschoolers (3-5)  •  Parenting Teenagers (12-18)  •  Parenting Toddlers (1-3)  •  Parents of Children with ADHD  •  Single Dads  •  Single Parenting  •  Step Families  •  Twins, Triplets & More
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Displaying comments 16-1 of 16
16
I am an adult ADD. I just wish back in my early life someone had helped me. School and career choices would have been more easier. I suggest a parent of an ADD do everything they can to help their child. Then no one can have any regrets later on. It is not a "bad" thing to be ADD, just like everything else, it is just the way it is.At least there is now help.
By fayej  Oct 08, 2009
15
Our son entered his first year of college this fall. He's a pretty bright young man, but has always been extremely disorganized. His grades were okay in high school but he scored highly on all college entrance exams. He's struggling with keeping up in college, though, and he thinks he has ADD. I'm not sure I agree but we will have him tested. My question is, are there mild forms of ADD that an individual can overcome focusing problems and can learn organizational skills? Can one train themselves instead of resorting to medication? Any feedback would be appreciated.
By RhondaSonShine  Oct 06, 2009
14
When Gillian was 8, the school notified her mom that she may have a learning disorder. She was constanly disruptive and wasn't paying attention. Mrs Lynne brought her to a professional and discussed all the problems. The whole time Gillian sat on her hands. The Doctor went up to Gillian and said, "well your mom has told me all the things that you've been doing. I need to talk to her privately. Stay here and we'll be back in a few minutes." As they left the room, he turned on the radio. When the Doctor and Mrs Lynne got out of the room, they waited. When Gillian thought the coast was clear, she began to dance. The Doctor turned to Mrs Lynne and said, "Gillians not sick, she's a dancer. Enroll her in dance school."

Gillian Lynne went on to become one of the top dancers. She opened her own dance school. She met Andrew Loyd Weber. She worked on Phantom, Cats and many other productions. Today she is a multimillionaire. She will tell you today, that when she entered the dance school she saw many people just like her. People who needed to move in order to think.

Imagine this happening after they "invented" ADHD when Gillian Lynne was tanken to a professional...they would have never discovered she was a dancer. They would have put her on medications and told her to be still. I have very little respect for wastepaper basket diagnosis. All you are doing is killing a childs energy and creativity. Not everyone is interested in math, science, or other top subjects society feels will "get them a good job." Learn what your child wants...not what you want for them.
By quinni24  Oct 05, 2009
13
I work for a company that has an all natural supplement that is said to help with or help maintain children with ADHD. Have you ever heard of isotonix? This brand has a supplement called OPC-3 for children. What do you think?
By MAgrl09  Oct 05, 2009
12
My 22 year old daughter was a good student in high school. She graduated with a 3.5 GPA. However, she could not do math! She flunked Geometry in high school and when she got into college, the same thing happened. Good grades in every subject...except math! It was so frustrating because she could not move on without the Intermediate Algebra requirement. After being told that she was borderline ADD from 3 doctors and a therapist, she got an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist and was put on Adderall. She took a math assessment test, got placed into pre-calculus, which was 4 levels higher than the math class, she had just received a D in, enrolled in a math 107 class for liberal arts majors and got a B. Before her diagnosis, she was ready to quit college. The main symptoms she had for ADD was that it was painfully impossible for her to focus on things she was not interested in but she would work her heart out and become an expert on things she liked. She had a drinking problem before Adderall, but now doesn't drink. It's not a perfect drug. She has trouble maintaining her weight, but so far the plusses outweigh the minuses.
By babs98019  Oct 04, 2009
11
My now 11 year old son began having trouble in kindergarten his teacher insisted he had ADHD. So I went along because he was very very hyper at home even would head butt the walls. We tried a couple of drugs but thats what they turned out to be just drugs. My son stayed zoned out all the time and he hated taking them and would cry because it kept him not himself. We took him off after a year due to a heart murmur. Its very challenging without medication but can be handled and worked through. I had to sit right with my son when doing homework to make sure he got it done what would take other children 10 mins to do took him 3 hours. I also signed him up for special needs at school called inclusion where they pulled him from classes for test so that he could take a little longer to take them. They would also read him the test. and the class moved alittle slower than a normal class the teachers are more patient also with them.
Its been very trying at times but now at 11 years old he is a A B student and he is doing it on his own. We still have trouble with getting notes from school off the board but he is learning he has to do it on his own to make it. You have to make homework fun, and add fun stuff for them to do. Oh and spelling easy trick if you get them to read them aloud to themselves it sticks faster than reading to themselves.
By lizkidd71  Oct 04, 2009
10
As a Reading Specialist for many years, I have discovered that many times ADD/ADHD is caused by frustration with complicated reading methods. My book, "At Last! A Reading Method for EVERY Child," is a simplified reading method that avoids confusing techniques that actually cause reading problems. It is recommend in "Help for Your Hyperactive Child," by Dr. William Crook. For more information, check out http://www.OnlineReadingTeacher.com.
By Felice14  Oct 04, 2009
9
Doctor Shapiro,
As a child I had Enormous energy, and a lot of anxiety. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD were there, but is it possible what I was really experiencing was a great deal of anxiety combined with being very healthy and vigorous ? I'm trying to understand my childhood and why I was always the "last one standing" of all the kids. Had a well above average IQ and reading and comprehension rating, but just couldn't "stay put". I was a daydreamer, and just couldn't pack enough into any given day. I was not a hard, angry child. Conversely, I was a loving, sensitive, loyal kid. I was extremely "loyal", but definately required things being explained wisely and compassionately. If I thought I was getting a bunch of "kiddie talk" I'd get angry, and possibly a bit rebellious, but I was never violent, or aggressive.
I'd welcome any other questions.

Mancave
By Mancave  Oct 02, 2009
8
Just one thought. Please, Please be careful with ADHD drugs for children such as Aderall and others. Ask the Doctor why. He's the professional. I'm aware of a family-by-marriage that has seen abuse of their medicines due to the parents leaving it to the children to dose themselves, not keeping the meds under Careful lock and key, and dosing. Bad things happened. Sadness and years of troubles followed.

Mancave
By Mancave  Oct 02, 2009
7
Hi Dr Jeremy,
I was given a website to visit all about ADD/ADHD/AUTISM...it is a really good read.
www.resultsproject.net
Hope this helps somebody!!
Sue
By sue63  Sep 30, 2009
6
Really a educative and informative post, the post is good in all regards,I am glad to read this post
I am also new here and i am still in the process of learning things in this site. I just accidentally saw the site and i registered.
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By katehim  Sep 30, 2009
5
Really a educative and informative post, the post is good in all regards,I am glad to read this post
I am also new here and i am still in the process of learning things in this site. I just accidentally saw the site and i registered.

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By katehim  Sep 30, 2009
4
Thank You! This is the bestdescription of ADD i have ever read. It is my 14 yr old granddaughter in a nut shell. I am looking forward to the next article. How about something telling how to support the parents. MaryBobbe
By MaryBobbe  Sep 29, 2009
3
My 7 year old son was diagnosed at age 5 by his pediatrician. This so-called doctor told me that the ADHD was caused by my post-partum depression and current major depression. Logically I know that is not true, but of course my depressed side takes over when things like that come up. Anyways, my son has now been on Concerta for nearly a year and a half. I'm really not sure if it has helped him in school or not as all last year I kept getting calls from the school that he was being agressive, uncooperative etc. His dose was increased to 27mg this summer and so far haven't had any issues with the school and we're almost a month in. He has self-esteem issues and doesn't like to try with his reading. He gets very frustrated easily, and this is all while on meds. I have wanted him to see a professional, but we can't afford to and our family doc won't send him to anyone but this quack of a pediatrician (who dropped us after a year, even though I had to keep calling him for the meds, until I called one time and they said, go to your family doc and we were out!). We don't seem to have any support at all for this except the medication!
By findmydream  Sep 29, 2009
2
I wonder why some Patients that go to Dr. Jones with add and adhd get tested positive for Lyme Disease. He has over 15000 kids now that come to Him from all over the world and are getting better on his treatment protocol, i wonder how many add, adhd Patients are actually Lyme Patients and don't know it, or is ther a connection to Lyme somehow?
By johnnylight  Sep 29, 2009
1
Well, I know lots of parents having hard times to deal with their children because of this illness. Well, I know there are symptoms that will not assure if a child has this, but it is better to consult urgently a physician to examine a child manifesting some symptoms of this. Some things nobody knows – the Federal Reserve isn't part of the government; it's actually a private group. There is little or no Congressional oversight – and this is who prints our money. Health care reform and the gay marriage debate are great distractions, but the unchecked powers of the Fed are more or less unknown to the people. Perhaps an audit and reigning in of the Federal Reserve would be a good idea, before Wall Street gets another pay day.
By IgnacioS  Sep 29, 2009
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