Summary
There’s a lot of attention deficit disorder (ADD) going around, says Dr. Richard Honaker in this Medical Minute. It’s often overdiagnosed, so some children get medicines they don’t need, while others who do need medicine don’t get it.
So who can tell you best whether your child has ADD? Dr. Honaker starts with the symptoms: children with ADD are impulsive, can’t pay attention or stay focused, run around, have behavior problems and blurt things out.
Dr. Honaker says teachers are great at recognizing ADD, because they see many children and know which ones have done well on medicines and which haven’t. Your physician can help too. Rating scales for ADD are also available online; they give a score that helps you judge whether your child is at high risk.
Key takeaways
- ADD is often overdiagnosed, and some children who need treatment are missed.
- Symptoms include impulsiveness, trouble paying attention and staying focused, behavior problems and blurting things out.
- Teachers are a valuable source of insight, along with your physician.
- Rating scales can help estimate whether a child is at high risk.
Questions Dr. Honaker answers
What are the symptoms of ADD?
Impulsiveness, not paying attention or staying focused, running around, behavior problems and blurting things out.
Who can tell if my child has ADD?
Dr. Honaker says teachers are great at it because they see so many children, and your physician can help as well.
What if it’s still not clear?
Rating scales can help, and your child’s doctor can guide the next steps.
