“Naughty kids” are naughty and playful. Is it hyperactivity or ADHD?

"Why can't you sit still? The teacher is talking at the top and you are talking at the bottom. You always interrupt the teacher. You really make me mad!"

Xiao Wang is a first-grade student. Less than a month after the start of the school term, this is the fifth time the school has talked to his parents. Xiao Wang’s parents had a big fight over this and tried various methods, but still could not solve the situation. In the end, they had no choice but to come to the hospital and ask the doctor for help.

After evaluation by a doctor, Xiao Wang was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. According to the evaluation results, Xiao Wang needs to receive rehabilitation treatment.

Every year there are many cases like Xiao Wang. Most parents think that their children are just lively and active. However, normal children, even if they are smart and naughty, can control their attention and do things according to the situation, which will not affect their learning, growth and interpersonal communication. Children with ADHD are always procrastinating and careless, act mischievously and lose their temper regardless of the situation, and cannot study, play or sleep well. They are very different from normal children.

01 So what exactly is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurological and mental developmental disorder in children. It is characterized by inattention that is not consistent with age, excessive activity or emotional impulse regardless of the situation, and is often accompanied by psychological problems such as learning difficulties, conduct disorders and emotional disorders. Children with ADHD may have normal or near-normal intelligence. Most of them develop the disease before the age of 6, and some children show hyperactivity in infancy. The incidence rate of boys is significantly higher than that of girls, about 4 to 9:1, and the prevalence of ADHD is 3-5%.

02 Children with ADHD have three core symptoms

1. Lack of attention: Children have difficulty maintaining their attention and are easily distracted when listening to classes, doing homework or other activities. They often make mistakes due to carelessness during study or activities, procrastinate, and lose things, such as toys and learning tools.

2. Hyperactivity: The child makes many small movements, cannot sit still, twists and turns in his seat, runs around or climbs, and has difficulty engaging in quiet activities or games.

3. Impulsiveness: Doing things without considering the consequences, often interrupting others’ conversations, and not being able to wait in line patiently.

03 So how can parents distinguish whether a "naughty child" is hyperactive or has ADHD? Here are a few simple tips for you

1. Depends on the occasion: Children with ADHD will be reserved when they first arrive in an unfamiliar environment, and will relax only after they become familiar with their friends. Children with ADHD will not feel restrained due to the change of occasion.

2. Look at the movements: hyperactive children are quick to react and their movements are flexible, while children with ADHD tend to be slow to react and their movements are clumsy.

3 Self-control: Children with ADHD can complete tasks according to the requirements set by their parents under the implementation of parental rewards and punishments, but children with ADHD find it difficult to control their own behavior.

4. Ability to apply the brakes: Hyperactive children are naughty and noisy, but they often calm down after being satisfied, whereas children with ADHD cannot calm down even when they get what they like.

Of course, the above methods are only used to help parents make a rough judgment. The specific diagnostic method requires going to a regular hospital for evaluation.