ADHD Specialist

ADHD in Children 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. As of 2024, 11.4% of children in the U.S. were diagnosed with ADHD. The seven million children diagnosed represent more than one in 10 children. 

The prevalence of ADHD diagnoses among children makes it a widespread health issue. Also, many adults with ADHD are undiagnosed. Consequently, they aren’t receiving treatment to help manage their symptoms. Reasons people aren’t diagnosed include gender bias, and currently, a significantly higher number of boys are diagnosed during childhood.  

At the same time, girls with ADHD are often overlooked because they are often able to mask their symptoms. Additionally, studies have focused on boys with ADHD. Consequently, there’s less awareness of how ADHD can manifest in girls, which is why girls with ADHD are less likely to receive a diagnosis.  

ADHD in Teenagers 

ADHD often persists into adolescence, sometimes looking different than it did in childhood. If your teenager is struggling academically or emotionally, our adolescent medicine team can provide age-appropriate ADHD evaluation, management, and school support planning. 

Signs Your Child May Have ADHD 

ADHD presents differently in every child. Some children are primarily inattentive — struggling to focus, losing things, and forgetting assignments. Others are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive — fidgeting, interrupting, and acting before thinking. However, many children have both.  

Common signs that warrant evaluation include the following: 

• Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or play. 
• Frequently losing items necessary for tasks (homework, pencils, belongings). 
• Being easily distracted by unrelated stimuli. 
• Avoiding or resisting tasks requiring sustained mental effort. 
• Excessive talking, interrupting, or difficulty waiting turns. 
• Acting as if “driven by a motor” — constant movement. 
• Poor academic performance not explained by ability. 
• Teacher or school feedback about attention or behavior concerns. 

Benefits of an ADHD Diagnosis 

The benefits of diagnosing ADHD in children include ensuring those diagnosed have: 

• Access to approved treatment: Those diagnosed may receive behavior therapy, medication, or other approved ADHD treatments.  
• An Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans: Regulated accommodations can include altering the student’s environment or providing aids to mitigate the impact of ADHD during classes. 

When ADHD is diagnosed in children, it can have the following benefits: 

• Boosting their self-esteem 
• Improving their academic performance 
• Improving their social skills  

Ensuring children diagnosed with ADHD have accommodations and treatment enables them to follow lessons, focus on schoolwork, and improve their academic performance. It also helps them understand themselves, which boosts their self-esteem.  

Symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD are often dismissed as personality traits or behavioral issues, which can undermine a child’s self-esteem.  

When To Talk to a Pediatrician  

During well-child visits, your pediatrician will monitor your child’s development. These visits also give you a chance to raise any concerns you have.  

When symptoms of ADHD persist for several months, you should discuss them with your pediatrician. You should also tell your pediatrician if potential symptoms of ADHD are affecting your child at school or at home.  

Also, talk to your pediatrician if their impulsivity or inattention is affecting family relationships or causing concerns at school or daycare. You should also mention any feedback provided by teachers or childcare workers that may be relevant.