ADHD Diagnosis: Why Didn’t I See This Coming?

When a child receives an ADHD diagnosis it usually gives the parents some solid answers as to why they are behaving the way that they do. But the diagnosis also sends many parents back down memory lane thinking if they had just noticed the signs earlier, they should have been able to cut it off in its path.

"Not so", say many child psychologists. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a developmental disorder with a neurological component. Recent studies have shown that the brain of a child with ADHD doesn't mature as fast as those without the disorder. In some cases, the condition eventually normalizes and children grow out of it, but not always. Then there is the genetic factor. Researchers have found that the majority of those with ADHD also have a parent or close family member with the disorder or some of its traits. So clearly an ADHD diagnosis is NOT something that could have been prevented or avoided.

Being equipped with this information has still led many parents to wonder if they missed something somewhere during their child's early development. Where were the clues? When did it all begin?

There are three basic stages in the normal development of a child. The first is found in infants. During this time babies get occupied with a certain object and may focus on it completely, thereby ignoring almost everything else. This is completely normal. If this behavior continues beyond a certain age (15 months), experts may say they could be showing early signs ADD. But it's too soon to officially diagnose.

At the second stage, observed in slightly older kids (2-5 years), the child is interested in a variety of things all at once and is therefore incapable of concentrating on any one of them for more than a few minutes. Again, this is completely normal. But if after the age of 6 or 7 the child can't stay involved with one thing for a reasonable period of time, they may need to be tested for possible ADHD.

The ultimate stage equips the child where they can comfortably and voluntarily point their attention in a certain direction for a long period of time and then later alter their choice of direction when called upon to do so. If the child is instead inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive, chances are they have ADHD. This needs to be immediately addressed because the ultimate stage molds the child for success in the classroom and the real world.

Parents... don't allow an ADHD diagnosis to lead you to question your parenting skills or make you wonder where you may have gone wrong. ADHD is a hereditary condition that when treated properly does not prevent children from living normal lives.

Don't look backward but instead move forward. Spend time with your child to help them find success in life despite their diagnosis.