Does your child ever seem lost in a world of daydreams during class? Maybe homework takes forever because they can’t quite stay focused. Or perhaps they’re a whirlwind of energy, constantly on the move, blurring out answers before questions are even finished. These could be signs of ADHD, a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects an estimated 7 million children.
But here’s the thing: ADHD doesn’t always look like a bouncing ball of energy. Sometimes, it can be much more subtle. How do you know if your elementary schooler may have ADHD? Let’s dive into the different ways this condition can manifest, busting some myths along the way.
Typical developmental behavior vs. ADHD
While most children can experience the occasional bout of forgetfulness or over-the-top burst of energy, ADHD can cause these challenges to be more frequent and disruptive. Typically developing children can generally follow instructions, maintain focus on tasks for reasonable amounts of time, and manage their emotions. In contrast, children with ADHD may struggle to follow multistep directions, have difficulty concentrating during homework or playtime, and blurt things out or experience frustration. These ongoing difficulties can affect their daily lives and learning.
Inattention under the radar: Beyond the daydreamer
Inattention is a core symptom of ADHD, but it can look quite different from your stereotypical daydreamer. Here’s what to watch for:
- The absent-minded professor — Does your child frequently forget items needed for school, like homework or instruments? They may not be forgetful but rather struggling to keep track of all the details and maintain focus throughout the day.
- The homework Houdini — Does homework feel like an epic battle every day? Children with ADHD may struggle to stay focused on lengthy tasks. This constant struggle can lead to unfinished assignments and frustrations.
- The instruction impasse — Does your child seem to have trouble following directions, especially multi-step ones? They may miss key details or get sidetracked before the instructions are complete.
- The easily distracted detective — Does even the slightest noise or movement pull your child’s attention away from their work? Difficulty filtering out distractions can impact their ability to focus in a classroom environment.
These are just a few examples, and the severity of inattention can vary from child to child. The key is to see if these difficulties are causing significant problems in your child’s daily life and learning.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity: More than just bouncing off the walls
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are also core symptoms of ADHD, but they don’t always translate to constant movement. Here are some signs to consider:
- The fidgety friend — Does your child constantly tap their pen, squirm in their seat, or find other ways to release pent-up energy? These can be ways of managing their internal restlessness.
- The chatty Cathy or Charlie — Does your child have difficulty waiting their turn to speak in class, blurting out answers, or interrupting conversations? This impulsivity can sometimes be misinterpreted as rudeness.
- The impulsive intruder — Does your child struggle to wait their turn in games or lines, acting impulsively without considering the consequences? This can lead to frustration and social difficulties.
Remember, some children naturally have higher energy levels or maybe more talkative. The key factor is the degree to which it interferes with their daily activities and learning.
The combined type: A dynamic duo
Many children with ADHD can exhibit symptoms from both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive categories. This is known as the combined type of ADHD, which is the most common presentation. Here’s how these combined symptoms may show up:
- Your child may struggle to focus on schoolwork while also fidgeting and blurting out answers in class.
- They may forget homework assignments and then act impulsively when faced with consequences.
- They may have a difficult time managing their emotions, which can lead to outbursts or frustration when things don’t go their way.
The combined type of ADHD can be challenging for children to manage, as they face difficulties in both focus and self-control.
Free resource: ADHD Success Kit
The ADHD chameleon: Beyond the stereotypes
A surprising thing about ADHD is that it can manifest differently in every child, even those with the combined type. Here are some surprising ways it may show up that you wouldn’t expect:
- The emotional roller coaster — Children with ADHD may experience difficulty managing their emotions, leading to outbursts of frustration when things don’t go their way.
- The organization enigma — Does your child’s room look like a mini tornado hit it? Difficulty with organization and planning can be big challenges for some children with ADHD.
- The social butterfly or wallflower — Social interactions can be tricky for children with ADHD. They may struggle with social cues, either making them appear overly enthusiastic or making it hard for them to make friends.
Boys vs girls: The different faces of ADHD
It’s important to remember that just like ADHD can be different from child to child, it can also be different for boys and girls. Hyperactivity can be more common in boys, while girls can seem more inattentive or appear daydreamy and withdrawn. Girls with ADHD may also be diagnosed later than boys because their symptoms are less obvious.
Diagnosing ADHD involves a doctor’s evaluation, information gathering, and checklists to assess symptoms. It considers how long these symptoms have been present and how much they impact a child’s daily life at home and school. There’s no single test, but a thorough evaluation helps create the best treatment plan.
Beyond BookSmart can help your child learn to thrive with ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD isn’t a reflection of your child’s intelligence or potential; it’s simply a way to understand their unique learning style and develop a system for success. If you see several of the signs mentioned here, don’t hesitate to talk to your child’s pediatrician. Early intervention can make a world of difference.
At Beyond BookSmart, we believe that Executive Function skills:
- Are coachable
- Are trainable
- Can be applied for success by any student
This view informs all our Executive Function coaching services.
Our services are also customizable to each student’s ADHD needs, learning differences, emotional challenges, etc. This customization allows us to help every student work toward becoming the most capable version of themselves.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an inquiry call.