
Could it be ADHD?
October is ADHD Awareness Month.
Let’s start with some quick facts about ADHD:
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, as defined by the American Psychological Association
ADHD can be diagnosed in children 6+ and adults
There are 3 types of ADHD
ADHD symptoms need to be present in more than one area of life
ADHD is often an underlying factor for anxiety, depression, oppositional behavior, and relationship challenges
ADHD impacts the executive functioning area of the brain
ADHD management often needs to include multiple things, such as diet/exercise, medication, and therapy
ADHD brains reach maturation later than neurotypical brains. This is particularly evident in social-emotional development
ADHD is life-long. Symptoms can be managed; however, there is no “permanent treatment or cure" for ADHD
ADHD is genetic, families often have multiple people with the diagnosis
ADHD is often misdiagnosed in girls because it presents different externally
ADHD is considered Neurodivergent, or a different type of brain