Often the school alerts the parents to these difficulties. Is it really ADHD? How to diagnose this disorder and how to support the child and his entourage on a daily basis?
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed by a physician, child psychiatrist or neuropediatrician. This doctor can rely on clinical observations and assessments that enter into an overall assessment to make the diagnosis.
It is expressed in 3 forms depending on the symptoms present
3 forms of ADHD
1 - Predominantly inattentive
- Difficulty sustaining attention.
- Easily distracted and forgetful.
- Struggles with organizing tasks and following through on instructions.
- Often loses items needed for tasks (e.g., keys, school materials).
- Commonly associated with "daydreamers" or those who appear disengaged.
2 - Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
- Excessive fidgeting, tapping, or talking.
- Difficulty staying seated or waiting for turns.
- Acts without thinking, such as interrupting or blurting out answers.
- Often displays restlessness and an inability to stay still for long periods.
- Frequently described as "on the go" or "driven by a motor."
3 - Combined
- Exhibits significant symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.
- This is the most common form of ADHD.
- Individuals show challenges with focus, organization, and impulse control while also being excessively active and restless.
- predominance of attention deficit
- hyperactivity/impulsivity : motor restlessness, hyperactivity of thought
- mixed
Important considerations
As a professional and experienced neuropsychologist ADHD is to be differentiated from ADD where hyperactivity is not present.
Most of the time, the characteristic difficulties in the person with ADHD are a lack of retained information, obviously maintaining attention which is difficult, poorly planned actions, acting impulsively and therefore low resistance. automatisms and the temptation of the present moment.
Normally, before making a diagnosis, the doctor takes time to observe the possible evolutions in the person. Especially since the signs of hyperactivity and inattention are non-specific signs, i.e. they are signs that can be found in other pathologies.
How to detect ADHD? Symptoms and tips
Initial observation and symptom assessment
The investigative process begins with observing multiple symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Professionals use various questionnaires to assess the individual's behavior in different environments, such as at home, school, or during extracurricular activities. These tools help paint a comprehensive picture of how the person functions daily.
For Inattention, the professional investigates whether the child :
- Makes careless mistakes.
- Has difficulty focusing on tasks or activities, even ones they enjoy.
- Appears disengaged or "elsewhere" when spoken to.
- Fails to follow instructions or complete tasks.
- Struggles with organization and is easily distracted.
Evaluating Hyperactivity and Impulsiveness
To assess hyperactivity, the focus is on the individual's ability to control or inhibit their movements. The professional looks for tendencies such as :
- Frequent fidgeting or squirming in their chair.
- Difficulty remaining seated when required.
- Running or climbing in inappropriate situations (motor impatience).
- Struggling to stay still during games or hobbies.
For impulsivity, the assessment explores whether the child :
- Often answers questions before they are fully asked.
- Has trouble waiting their turn.
- Exhibits difficulty controlling gestures and speech.
- Prefers immediate rewards, even when patience would result in a better outcome.
Additional Tools for Cognitive Evaluation
This clinical approach is often supplemented by assessments of attentional and cognitive abilities to provide a snapshot of the individual’s cognitive functioning. These evaluations compare the person’s performance to peers of the same age, regardless of external expectations like parental hopes or school standards.
While some individuals may compensate in evaluation scenarios, others may not, highlighting the importance of observing both natural behavior and performance under assessment conditions.
ADHD: How to accompany a child and his parents?
Understanding and awareness
Supporting a child with ADHD starts with understanding the condition. Parents, caregivers, and the child need to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses to better understand their behavior, reduce feelings of guilt, and stay motivated to improve.
- Parents should avoid punishing behaviors that stem from ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty staying seated, and instead adapt their approach to the child’s needs.
- Clear, simple instructions are essential, such as using fewer commands at once and emphasizing key words when giving directions.
- Recognize that attention functions like a battery that needs periodic recharging through rest and breaks.
Practical tools and educational accommodations
At school and home, practical strategies can make a significant difference:
- Schools can provide accommodations to create an environment where the child’s abilities can shine without ADHD hindering their performance.
- Cognitive remediation sessions are beneficial for improving attention and deficient skills by using effective strategies. This brain “re-education” focuses on enhancing deficient skills while building confidence through better performance.
- Programs where practitioners interact with children in person are preferred over computer-based models for their personalized feedback and long-term engagement.
Group support and family programs
Social skills groups are valuable for fostering emotional and social development.
👉 These groups teach communication skills, emotional regulation, and provide a supportive environment where children can interact with peers facing similar challenges.
👉 Participation helps children feel understood, reduce isolation, and build confidence.
Programs like the Barkley Program equip parents with tools to better understand their child’s needs and improve family dynamics. These programs focus on improving the quality of life rather than curing ADHD, helping parents create positive interactions and moments with their child.
Bonus : tips for parents
Choose practitioners wisely. Avoid overly specialized ADHD-focused clinics that might overlook other potential causes of attentional issues. Trust your instincts and observations as parents. Professionals rely on your input to understand and support your child effectively. If something feels off with the diagnosis or management, advocate for your child and seek alternative opinions.
Drug treatment for ADHD
This is often what most parents fear, and rightly so. It is important to know that a consultation with a doctor is not equivalent to automatic treatment. If so, then the doctor did not take the time to explain things properly.
Only a doctor can recommend drug treatment. To recommend means to advise and not to impose. If the drug is recommended, it is important that the doctor takes the time to explain what the treatment consists of (dosage, desired effects, side effects, etc.).
Generally the treatment alone will not really be effective on the work provided. It makes the person more available to the advice of the adults around them so that the person concerned can apply this advice. Most of the time the treatment may not be taken every day but it is still important to discuss it beforehand with the doctor and especially to inform him if you wish to stop the treatment.
The drug treatment must therefore almost always be supplemented with the care necessary to work on the deficient functions or the areas to be improved. It is a crutch on which the child leans to move forward and which can also relieve the parents as well as the teaching staff.
If as parents you are not comfortable with the idea of giving your child medication, it may be useful to stay focused on the child's own difficulties and daily suffering. As parents, you manage your child's difficulties like adults, but your child manages them more or less well like a child. He is the target of ridicule and criticism from his peers and he is the one who is struggling or failing in school. You have to be transparent with the child and explain to him why it might be wise for him to take treatment and ask him for his opinion even if he is not the one who decides. Hence the importance of multidisciplinary care and good quality communication between the child, the parents and all the stakeholders.
