If your child struggles with inattention or hyperactivity, you may wonder if they have ADHD. But many parents find themselves wondering, ‘Is my child too young for ADHD treatment?

Regardless of how old they are, when symptoms of ADHD appear, treatment with either therapy or medication should be considered if your child is having trouble at home or school. The goal of treatment for ADHD is to help your child be successful in both — and prevent any notable adverse outcomes that can occur when symptoms are left untreated.

In this article, we’ll explore some common questions you may have as a parent.

What age can kids be diagnosed with ADHD?

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children aged 4-18 can be diagnosed with ADHD. Earlier guidelines suggested that only children 6+ should be diagnosed, but newer guidelines now include preschool-aged children.

Behavior therapy is one of the most traditional types of treatment utilized for kids ages four and up. Other lifestyle changes for younger children may include:

• Eating a healthy, nutrient-dense diet
• Getting exercise regularly
• Establishing and maintaining a bedtime routine
• Keeping regular routines and schedules throughout the day

Are there any consequences of delaying treatment?

Many people believe ADHD is a condition that causes school-aged kids to have trouble paying attention or have difficulty sitting still at school. But realistically, ADHD impacts every aspect of your child’s life, even up to adulthood.

Unfortunately, ADHD does not just impact children. When left untreated, many kids grow into adults who continue to struggle with planning effectively, impulsivity, forget to consider the consequences of their actions, are more prone to accidents, and have trouble achieving their goals.

Treatment can help kids with ADHD develop the following skills:

• Routines
• Adaptive and coping strategies
• Motivation
• Problem-solving skills

We know that ADD/ADHD, alongside other psychiatric conditions, are treated more quickly in childhood. With specialized treatment, children with ADHD can develop life skills, learn to control their impulsive behavior, experience quality relationships with their peers, parents, and siblings, and become successful in life overall.

Children can be much more successful if they’re given the proper tools at a young age; they’ll be able to learn to harness the incredible potential within the ADHD brain.

Taking the first step 

The exceptional team at Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic in Palo Alto, California, has extensive experience with ADHD assessment and designs personalized treatment plans using the most advanced therapeutic techniques to improve ADHD symptoms.

 If you have questions about ADHD assessment or treatment options, or you’d like to schedule an appointment, callthe office today. The clinic is now offering telehealth to patients in Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Woodside, Menlo Park, Atherton, Napa, Orinda, Hillsborough, Belvedere Tiburon, Blackhawk, Noe Valley, Malibu, Beverly Hills, and La Jolla.

 

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/