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How To Improve Focus And Concentration In An ADHD Child?
My step granddaughter is 6 yrs old and I am wondering if she has adhd. She is in first grade and is having trouble reading. She loses her attention on basic daily life goals like brushing her teeth, doing homework. It has to be totally quiet for her to do homework or she gets off track. She also is constantly in motion whether it s hanging off the couch and flipping or fidgeting. She has been through some major life changes. Her dad and his new wife obtained full custody as her biological mother is a drug addict and unstable at this time. I feel bad for her because even kids in her class don t want to really play with her because she acts a little weird around them. What would you advise. Her step mom who is my daughter made an appointment for her to see a psychologist.
Fri, 27 Apr 2018
Hello,
You give examples of her inattention and hyperactivity which are features of ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). To make the diagnosis, the doctor first asks questions about her history and then performs a physical exam. Then the doctor gives a questionnaire which lists many of the behaviors that children with ADHD have.
A copy of this questionnaire is given to all adults who have regular contact with the child. After each adult (parents, grandparents, teachers, and babysitter) completes the form, they are returned to the doctor or child psychologist and graded. If a patient shows many of the characteristics of ADHD, then the diagnosis is made.
Frequently, a child with ADHD can also have a learning disability (reading problem). Should she be found to have ADHD, treatment for ADHD will not correct a learning disability. I suggest you obtain her report cards and speak with the (child) psychologist, showing the report cards to him/her and see if your grandchild ought to be evaluated with psychoeducational testing.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Arnold Zedd
You give examples of her inattention and hyperactivity which are features of ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). To make the diagnosis, the doctor first asks questions about her history and then performs a physical exam. Then the doctor gives a questionnaire which lists many of the behaviors that children with ADHD have.
A copy of this questionnaire is given to all adults who have regular contact with the child. After each adult (parents, grandparents, teachers, and babysitter) completes the form, they are returned to the doctor or child psychologist and graded. If a patient shows many of the characteristics of ADHD, then the diagnosis is made.
Frequently, a child with ADHD can also have a learning disability (reading problem). Should she be found to have ADHD, treatment for ADHD will not correct a learning disability. I suggest you obtain her report cards and speak with the (child) psychologist, showing the report cards to him/her and see if your grandchild ought to be evaluated with psychoeducational testing.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Arnold Zedd
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