ADHD in Children

Are you worried that your child may have ADHD? You’ve come to the right place.

We are leading London specialists for ADHD in children. We can explore your child’s symptoms, offer a private ADHD assessment and develop a bespoke ADHD treatment plan.

Dr Jenna Vyas-Lee is a private child psychologist who has helped many children with ADHD to successfully manage their symptoms. Read on to learn more about the condition and our ADHD services in London.

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Child ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that often continues into adulthood. It stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A child with ADHD may have difficulty sustaining attention, be hyperactive (constantly moving) and behave impulsively (without thinking things through).

Left untreated, these symptoms can affect a child’s success at school, create behavioural difficulties and cause problems at home. ADHD affects millions of children worldwide and typically appears in early childhood. If your child has ADHD, you may start to notice symptoms before they reach the age of 6 of 7.

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Symptoms of ADHD in children

The symptoms of ADHD can be grouped into two main types:

Inattentiveness

Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

Some children experience both groups of symptoms. Others just experience inattentiveness but not hyperactivity or impulsiveness. When children just experience inattentiveness symptoms this is called ADD (attention deficit disorder).

Symptoms of inattentiveness include:

Short attention span

Forgetting or losing things

Getting distracted easily

Not finishing more involved tasks

Constantly switching tasks

Having trouble listening or following instructions

Difficulty with organisation

Making careless mistakes

Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness include:

Interrupting people

Talking excessively

Trouble waiting their turn

Trouble sitting still

Constantly fidgeting

Acting without considering consequences

Running or climbing aimlessly

Not being aware of danger

ADHD in children may present differently in girls than boys. Girls with ADHD may be less likely to have trouble staying still. Instead, they may stop listening, zone out and daydream.

ADHD in children diagnosis

For your child to receive an ADHD diagnosis, they need to be formally assessed by a child ADHD specialist. This could be a clinical psychologist, a psychiatrist or a paediatrician.

A GP can’t formally diagnose ADHD in children, but they can refer you to a specialist who can. There isn’t one simple test for ADHD. A health professional can only reach a diagnosis after a detailed assessment.

If you come to Kove for a private ADHD assessment, our assessment may include:

Spending time with your child to observe their symptoms

Discussing your child’s development history with you as a parent

Analysing reports form you as a parent and your child’s teachers

Looking at outcomes from standardised questionnaires

For a health professional to start diagnosing ADHD in children must have symptoms that:

Have been showing continuously for at least 6 months

Make functioning in the world harder on a social, emotional, and academic level

Started before the age of 12

Are not better accounted for by another diagnosis

Occur in at least two different settings (for example, home and school)

ADHD in children treatment

Kove offers treatment of ADHD at our London practice. Our ADHD treatment can help your child to manage their symptoms. This can lessen the impact symptoms have on home and school life. Both therapy and medication can help children manage ADHD. Often a combination of the two works best.

Medication

Medications available to treat ADHD include:
Methylphenidate
Lisdexamfetamine
Dexamfetamine
Atomoxetine
Guanfacine

As a private child psychology service, Kove doesn’t prescribe medication. If you want to explore medication options, we can refer your child to a prescribing psychiatrist. You can find out more about how ADHD medications work on the NHS website.

Therapy

Kove offers psychoeducation and adapted cognitive behavioural therapy. These two models of therapy help your child manage their ADHD symptoms. Psychoeducation is when a therapist helps you as a parent to discuss ADHD and its effects with your child. This can help you and your child make sense of the diagnosis and find ways to cope.

Adapted cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a tailored version of CBT to suit your child’s specific ADHD symptoms. Adapted CBT can support parents, children and teachers to navigate the condition. Often a reward system is used to help your child self-manage ADHD. Your therapist will work with you to identify which behaviours you want to encourage.

ADHD FAQs

ADHD is typically diagnosed by a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician or child psychiatrist. Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation that considers a child’s medical history, behavior, and symptoms. Parent and teacher reports, as well as standardised assessment tools, may be used in the diagnostic process.

The exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Factors such as a family history of ADHD, prenatal exposure to toxins, or premature birth may increase the risk of developing ADHD.

Treatment for ADHD often includes a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. Behavioral therapy helps children develop coping strategies and improve their behavior, while medications, such as stimulants or non-stimulants, can help manage symptoms. The specific treatment plan is tailored to the individual needs of the child.

ADHD can have a significant impact on a child’s life, affecting their academic performance, social relationships, and self-esteem. If left untreated, it can lead to challenges in adulthood, including difficulties with education, employment, and maintaining healthy relationships. However, with early intervention and treatment of ADHD in children, many with ADHD can learn to manage their symptoms and lead successful lives.

Inattention: Children with ADHD often have difficulty sustaining attention and staying focused on tasks, especially those that require prolonged mental effort. They may make careless mistakes, have trouble organizing tasks, and frequently lose items necessary for activities.
Hyperactivity: Hyperactive behavior is a common sign of ADHD. Children with ADHD tend to be excessively fidgety, restless, and often engage in activities that require excessive physical movement, such as running or climbing in inappropriate situations. They may also have difficulty staying seated when expected.
Impulsivity: Impulsivity is another hallmark of ADHD. Children with ADHD may act without thinking of the consequences, interrupt conversations, and have difficulty waiting their turn in activities or games. They might struggle with self-control and have impulsive reactions to situations.
Difficulty in School or Social Settings: ADHD can significantly impact a child’s performance in school and their ability to form and maintain friendships. Children with ADHD may exhibit poor academic performance due to inattention and difficulty completing tasks. They might also have trouble following instructions and maintaining relationships with peers due to impulsive or hyperactive behaviors.

ADHD IN CHILDREN

Book a private ADHD assessment

If your child is showing symptoms of ADHD, we can help. The first step towards managing the condition and improving behaviour is proper diagnosis. Kove offers comprehensive private ADHD assessments.

We will take the time to fully understand your child’s symptoms so we can diagnose or rule out ADHD in children. Contact us today to discuss your child’s needs and arrange an assessment. We can visit your home or carry out the assessment at one of our London clinics near you.

Other Child Conditions

OCD

Is your child showing signs of excessive worry and distress caused by their thoughts and fears? It may be a sign of clinical depression, and it’s important to seek professional help. Our team can provide a comprehensive evaluation and effective treatment to support your child’s mental health. Don’t let depression take hold of your child’s life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start the journey towards a happier and healthier future for your child.

Depression

If you suspect that your child is struggling with depression, we’re here to help. Our team of experienced therapists specialises in various therapy models that have been proven effective in managing the symptoms of depression. Don’t let depression continue to impact your child’s life. Take action now and contact us to schedule a consultation. Let us provide the support and guidance your child needs to overcome this challenging mental health issue and move towards a brighter future.