Signs of ADHD and How to Improve Focus
More and more kids are being diagnosed with ADHD every year. According to the CDC, nearly 10% of kids have one of the 3 main presentations of ADHD (and that may be a conservative estimate). Boys are more likely to be diagnosed, but in many cases, this may be because it presents so differently. Keep reading for an explanation on the types of ADHD, what is an underlying cause of ADHD symptoms, and what you can do to improve focus.
3 Types of ADHD
This is not just a blanket diagnosis for kids that can’t sit still. While hyperactivity is definitely a factor in many cases, there is a much broader range of symptoms that can point to an ADHD diagnosis. The 3 main types of ADHD are:
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
This is probably the type of ADHD you are most familiar with. This is the most common form, especially in boys, and signs include:
- Trouble sitting still or playing quietly
- Talking excessively
- Blurting out answers out of turn
- Interrupting or intruding
- Other high energy habits
Inattention
This is a fairly recent change, as this form of ADHD used to be diagnosed as ADD (attention deficit disorder). Now psychologists link these disorders together because there is such a wide range of experiences that vary by the individual.
Inattentive ADHD is much more common in girls (and is one of the primary reasons many girls may go undiagnosed while the louder, more active boys are recognized earlier). Signs of this type of ADHD include:
- A lack of attention to detail
- Trouble focusing in school
- Struggling to follow instructions
- Poor organization or planning skills
- Forgetfulness
- Aversion to tasks that require mental focus
- Seeming to not listen when spoken to
Combined
This type is exactly what it sounds like: a combination or mixture of the above 2 types. All kids are unique, as are their strengths and struggles. This is kind of a “bucket” category for individuals that may have tendencies to both areas of hyperactivity and inattention.
What Causes ADHD Symptoms?
ADHD is a condition that is absolutely unique to each individual. No matter how long we work with clients and how many similarities we see, we see so many more complexities that make a one-size-fits-all approach to ADHD help not make sense.
Instead, understanding individual cognitive profiles of all students can show you exactly WHY they struggle with focus, attention, memory, and organization.
For many kids with ADHD, their weakest skill may not be attention. Instead, it could be working memory, processing speed, logic & reasoning or one of the other key cognitive skills that impacts your ability to focus, learn, and remember.
Before you start getting help for your child with ADHD, it’s SO critical that you understand why they are struggling in the first place! Click here to learn more about our approach to ADHD help that gets to the root cause.
How to Improve Focus
While getting to the root cause and addressing weak cognitive skills is going to be what makes the biggest difference in your family member, here are some other quick ideas to help them get better at focusing:
- Play music & engage other senses (it does actually make focusing easier for some people!)
- Make sure you get plenty of sunshine and physical activity
- Focus on quality sleep every night
- Try some kid-friendly meditation or breathwork routines to help manage their stress
- Set small goals and celebrate them together!
If you’re ready for a deep-dive solution for issues with focus, memory, reading, and learning, give us a call today! We’d love to chat more about how you can help your child succeed.
