In England, an estimated 741,000 children and young adults have ADHD, according to NHS data. If you’re worried about undiagnosed ADHD in your child, you aren’t alone.
One of the best ways to support your child getting an assessment is to make yourself aware of the signs of ADHD in children, and how they can change as they grow up. When you know what to look out for, you can help them get an assessment quicker.
In this blog, we’ll look at the common signs and symptoms of ADHD in children throughout the ages, as well as what to do if you notice them.
What Is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting the way the brain and its functions develop.
As ADHD impacts the brain, the symptoms of the condition can be quite debilitating at times, affecting both home and school or work life. Symptoms of ADHD affect everything from a person’s impulsivity and energy levels to attention span.
General Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Children
While signs of ADHD manifest differently as a child grows, there are some general symptoms to be aware of before we break it down by age.
Due to its effects on the brain, you may notice a child with ADHD struggles with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. How these manifest in the day-to-day can look like any of the following:
- Difficulty focusing, particularly on tasks they consider ‘boring’
- Seemingly careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Misplacing or losing belongings
- Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly
- Fidgeting or struggling to stay still when seated
- Blurting out answers, even if someone else is speaking
- Acting without thinking about consequences
It’s important to remember that ADHD affects everyone differently. Where one child might find focusing difficult, another may appear more focused, but struggle to keep track of their belongings.
How Does ADHD Show Up in Children of Different Ages?
As children grow up and their brain develops, the way ADHD presents itself can start to change.
Knowing what to expect at each age puts you in the best position to spot when your child may need an assessment. Keep reading below to see how ADHD symptoms change with age.
Early Signs of ADHD in Young Children Age 2 – 3
Early signs of ADHD in young children can be tricky to spot, as they often seem like typical toddler behaviour, but just a bit more extreme.
Typical signs include persistent restlessness or difficulty following basic instructions; you may even notice intense tantrums when what you ask them to do requires them to stop their current activity. Look out for the signs, such as:
- Constant moving without tiring
- Difficulty sitting through short periods of time, e.g., story time
- Frequently running off or climbing unsafe equipment
- Struggling to follow requests
At this stage, a diagnosis is rare, as the behaviour is so similar to what you’d expect from a child of this age. Instead, it’s more about noticing patterns in your child, which you can then raise to doctors later on.
Signs of ADHD in Children Age 4 to 5
As they reach pre-school age, staff at their nursery or reception may raise concerns about their behaviour with you.
Signs of ADHD in children aged 4 to 5 often start to manifest more during group activities, as they meet others of a similar age. You may notice signs, such as:
- Refusing to share and struggling when asked to do so
- Emotional outbursts, seemingly disproportionate to the trigger
- Requiring frequent reminders to complete simple tasks
- Struggling with following routine in school
Diagnosis can start around the age of 4, particularly for more severe cases of ADHD. If you’re concerned about signs of ADHD in your child, speak to their GP as soon as possible.
Signs of ADHD in Children Age 6 to 7
Signs of ADHD in children aged 6 to 7 are usually the easiest to spot, especially for medical professionals. In fact, diagnosis is most common from age 6 and up.
As their responsibility at school grows, the signs of ADHD can become more apparent, including the following:
- Frequently losing homework or misplacing PE kits
- Leaving writing tasks unfinished
- Refusing or finding it hard to do homework
- Interrupting other children at school
- Reacting impulsively during conversations
- Struggling to stay seated or keep quiet in class
Signs of ADHD in Older Children Age 8 and Up
As children grow up, the symptoms become more apparent. As such, the signs of ADHD in children aged 8 are likely recognisable now, especially for those who spend significant time with them. Signs to be aware of include:
- Regularly forgetting or missing deadlines for homework
- Seemingly ‘careless’ mistakes in school
- Disorganisation at home and in school
- High levels of inattention
Such symptoms of ADHD can be perceived as carelessness, when in actuality it’s simply out of the child’s control. As such, it can begin to affect their mental health with increased levels of anxiety.
Signs of ADHD in Children: At Home vs At School
For children showing signs of ADHD, it can be quite common for their behaviour at home and school to differ – this can be due to masking.
Masking is a common trait in neurodivergent conditions, when a person tries to hide their symptoms in public, at school or work, for example. Then, when they’re home, they release all the pent-up emotions, feelings, and thoughts, leading to a change in behaviour.
For children, masking can mean their symptoms are more subdued during school hours, but at home they experience emotional outbursts and challenging behaviour:
- Starting arguments with siblings
- Acting impulsively, often without thought for their own safety
- Putting off or refusing to do homework
- Frequent crying or tantrums
What to Do If You Notice Signs of ADHD in Your Child
Naturally, the first thing you should do if you notice signs of ADHD in your child is book an appointment with their GP.
Getting an ADHD diagnosis for your child is the best way to ensure they get the support they need. However, with lengthy waitlists, you could be waiting up to 5 years for your child to see a professional.
As a parent, we know that can feel incredibly difficult, but there are things you can do in the meantime to support their diagnosis:
- Keep a notebook of concerning behaviour
- Inform their school of your worries
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage your child, e.g., star charts
- Remain calm when you speak to them
If they haven’t already, it can help to speak to their teachers about whether they’ve noticed any similar patterns of behaviour.
Most importantly, remember that signs of ADHD can be difficult for your child to live with, especially when it’s undiagnosed. Try your best to be patient and calm with them, offering your support when they need it.
Neuroaffinity Provides Expert Diagnosis for ADHD in Children
Here at Neuroaffinity, we believe every child deserves a fast, accurate diagnosis to help them get the support they need – that’s where our child ADHD assessments come in.
Our experts provide professional diagnosis, tailored specifically to children. Without the lengthy waitlist for assessment, your child can get answers and support that bit faster. Get in touch with us today to book your appointment.
You can reach us on 0776 856 5162 or send an email to enquiries@neuroaffinity.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out our contact form, and we’ll give you a callback.
