Is your child just behaving badly, or could it be ADHD?

THERE IS a school of thought that believes that ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) does not actually exist in children, and it is simply unnecessary labelling of naughty kids.

I am not from that school of thought — ADHD is a real condition. Many children are restless or inattentive at times, particularly under the age of five. This is not ADHD. What is ADHD is when a child is so persistently restless and cannot concentrate in any situation at home or at school, that it actually has a detrimental effect on their intellectual and social development. Children with ADHD are impul- sive and are more likely to have other problems, such as anxiety and coordination problems.

There is no test or scan available to diagnose ADHD — instead assessment is used, but it is not a quick process. The diagnosis has to be made according to strict criteria, which involves taking information from school and the GP, as well as observing the child in different settings performing different tasks. The features of ADHD have to have been present for more than six months and it is also crucial to rule out other problems that may mimic the symptoms, such as deafness or epilepsy.

There are many myths about the causes of ADHD. Bad parenting, watching TV and family turmoil are not causes of ADHD, although they can have an impact on behaviour. We do know that genetics has a role — you are more likely to suffer ADHD if a member of the family already has it.

Poor diet does not cause ADHD, but it certainly seems to worsen it. Parents of sufferers should keep a food diary which may reveal hyperactivity in relation to certain foods.

About half of children grow out of their symptoms by adulthood and carry on to do well socially and educationally. For some sufferers, the symptoms evolve from restlessness into anxiety and depression. Drug treatment for some children with ADHD will continue into adulthood.