

Symptoms can become more severe when the demands of adulthood increase. Symptoms may look different at older ages, for example, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness. The symptoms can cause difficulty at work, at home, or with relationships. Some adults have ADHD but have never been diagnosed. ADHD in AdultsĪDHD can last into adulthood. To find the Parent Center near you, you can visit this website. The National Resource Center operates a call center (1-86) with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD.įor more information on services for children with special needs, visit the Center for Parent Information and Resources. Their website has links to information for people with ADHD and their families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds the National Resource Center on ADHD, a program of CHADD – Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. If you or your doctor has concerns about ADHD, you can take your child to a specialist such as a child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or developmental pediatrician, or you can contact your local early intervention agency (for children under 3) or public school (for children 3 and older). Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age.Limiting the amount of daily screen time from TVs, computers, phones, and other electronics.Participating in daily physical activity based on age.Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources.Here are some healthy behaviors that may help: In addition to behavioral therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier for your child to deal with ADHD symptoms. Learn more about treatments Managing Symptoms: Staying Healthyīeing healthy is important for all children and can be especially important for children with ADHD.


Good treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way. What works best can depend on the child and family. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. But the evidence is not strong enough to conclude that they are the main causes of ADHD. Of course, many things, including these, might make symptoms worse, especially in certain people. Research does not support the popularly held views that ADHD is caused by eating too much sugar, watching too much television, parenting, or social and environmental factors such as poverty or family chaos. Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy.Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Scientists are studying cause(s) and risk factors in an effort to find better ways to manage and reduce the chances of a person having ADHD. Learn about symptoms of ADHD, how ADHD is diagnosed, and treatment recommendations including behavior therapy, medication, and school support. Combined Presentation: Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.īecause symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change over time as well.A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The person fidgets and talks a lot.The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations.There are three different ways ADHD presents itself, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual: Get information and support from the National Resource Center on ADHD Types
