Mood swings, hyperactivity and inattention could all be the signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children & adolescents. Here’s what it means & how it’s treated.

1. 01 Treating Attention-
Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
in Children and
Adolescents

2. 02
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
popularly known as ADHD, is a neurobehavioral
condition that affects the brain and behavior in
children and adolescents. It may even continue
into adulthood.
ADHD is characterized by inattention,
severe hyperactivity, increased
distractibility and/or poor impulse control.
ADHD is the most common and widely studied
behavioral/ mental disorder in children and
adolescents.
In the US, 3-5% school-aged children suffer
from this chronic and prevalent health
condition, with boys more often being
diagnosed with ADHD than girls.
3-5%
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)

3. 03
ADHD often co-occurs with various other
emotional, behavioral, language and
learning disorders.
Low self-esteem
Academic underachievement
Restlessness
Interpersonal relationship issues with
family and peers
The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7
years, however, the symptoms of ADHD
typically first appear between the ages
of 3 and 6.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
Children suffering from ADHD usually
experience:

4. 04 Lack of attention: Children suffering from ADHD
usually make careless mistakes
Inability to follow instructions, both in school and
at home
Difficulty in organizing tasks
Hyperactivity: Have difficulty in sitting or playing
quietly
Impulsive behavior, cannot await turn
Symptoms of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder

5. 05
ADHD has been divided into three
different types:
ADHD Predominately Inattentive Type
ADHD Predominately
Hyperactive Impulsive Type
ADHD Combined Type
(Inattentive and Hyperactive Impulsive)
Types of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder

6. 06
Difficulty in paying/
sustaining attention
Signs of Inattentiveness
Fails to pay close attention
to details and/or makes
careless mistakes
Inability to listen to the
instructions carefully
Struggles to follow or
forgets instructions
Difficulty in organizing
things
Dislikes tasks that require
sustained mental effort
Forgets or loses things
often
Is forgetful about daily
activities

7. 07
Often fidgets with hands/
feet or squirms in chair
Signs of Hyperactivity – Impulsivity
Finds it difficult to quietly
engage in activities
Has difficulty remaining
seated
Talks excessively
Is always on the go Difficulty waiting or
taking turns
Often interrupts or
intrudes others
Blurts out answers
before question is
finished

8. 08
The child meets both sets of inattention and
hyperactive/impulsive criteria.
Signs of AD/HD
Combined Type

9. 09
Most children exhibit careless or hyperactive
behaviors at one time or another, therefore the
guidelines for determining ADHD in children are
very clear and specific.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, the child or the
teenager must exhibit at least six of the
characteristics listed above.
Moreover, the symptoms must be present for
at least six months in a row and should be
more frequent or severe than other children of
the same age group.
Identifying ADHD
in Children and Adolescents

10. 10
There is no single factor that leads to the
expression of ADHD in children.
The most common reasons include:
Complications during birth
Factors that Cause
ADHD in Children
Maternal smoking or alcohol abuse
during pregnancy
Prenatal or postnatal exposure to lead
Mutation in dopamine transporter gene
Severe brain injury during childhood
Abnormalities in the cerebellum
Psychosocial family stressors
Pb

11. 11
ADHD in children and teenagers leads to:
Low self-esteem
Consequences
of ADHD Social and academic failure
Career underachievement
Sports accidents/ Injuries
Legal troubles
Smoking and substance abuse
A possible increase in the risk of
antisocial and criminal behavior

12. 12
ADHD, in itself, does not lead to the development other psychological conditions.
However, children with ADHD usually suffer from various other conditions, including:
Coexisting Conditions
Antisocial behavior that
includes stealing, fighting,
destroying things, and
harming other people or
animals.
Characterized by frequent
irritation and problems
tolerating frustration.
Depression, anger,
bipolar disorder as well
as manic behavior.
Characterized by stress,
nervousness,
overwhelming worry and
may include obsessive
compulsive disorder
(OCD).
Problems with reading,
writing, communication,
and understanding
instructions.
Use of drugs, alcohol and
smoking.
Inability or reluctance to
socializes with others.
A condition of the
nervous system that
causes people to carry
out uncontrolled
repetitive movements or
unwanted sounds.
Conduct Disorder
Disruptive Mood
Dysregulation Disorders
Mood Disorders Anxiety Disorders
Learning Disabilities
Substance Use Disorders Autism Spectrum
Disorder
Tic Disorder or Tourette
Syndrome

13. 13
Clinical Diagnosis
and Evaluation Clinical determination of ADHD is a multifaceted
process as there are many biological and
psychological problems that can lead to
symptoms similar to those exhibited by children
with ADHD. For example, stress, anxiety,
depression and certain learning disabilities may
cause symptoms similar to ADHD.
The child physician will perform a thorough
physical exam to carefully study and evaluate
ADHD symptoms, along with their timelines
and history, so as to rule out other disabilities
that may be causing symptoms similar to
ADHD.

14. 14
Treating ADHD in
Children and Adolescents
Treating ADHD in children often requires a comprehensive “multimodal” approach that includes
medical, behavioral, educational, and psychological intervention.
It includes:
Using various tools
and techniques to
help parents
understand and
manage their
child’s behaviors
and boost their
confidence.
Parental training
Helping children
build a schedule to
stay organized and
equipped, at home
as well as in the
class.
Devising behavioral
intervention
strategies
Helping children
build a schedule to
stay organized and
equipped, at home
as well as in the
class.
Conducting an
appropriate
educational program
regarding AD/HD Counseling parents
and children suffering
from ADHD on ways
to boost their morale,
improve interpersonal
relationships as well
as decrease
disruptive behavior.
Child and family
counseling
Using
psychostimulant
medications to
improve child’s
concentration and
decrease his
disruptive
behavior.
Medication
However, the symptoms of ADHD vary from one child to another; therefore, it’s treatment requires
plans that are tailored to meet the specific needs of the child and the family.

15. 15
Treating ADHD in
Children and Adolescents
At EPIC Health, we offer specific and completely personalized detection and treatment programs for ADHD in children and
adolescents. Our team of expert physicians, board-certified pediatricians, and highly experienced psychotherapists work hand-
in-hand to carefully evaluate your child on a pre-defined and comprehensive ADHD checklist to detect and diagnose the
disease as well as to rule out all other overlapping behavioral conditions or disorders.
Boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence
Decrease disruptive behavior
Promote safety
Increase independence
Improve inter-personal relationships and academic excellence
To know the right treatment approach for your child, schedule an appointment with our expert pediatricians today.
We can help your child live Happy, Healthy and Better!
We then create a holistic treatment plan to help you manage and treat ADHD symptoms in your child in the easiest way possible.
From behavioral intervention to prescription medication, we follow a variety of treatment approaches to:

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