Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is complex and can impact the success and relationships of a child. The signs and symptoms vary from one child to another. They are not easily recognizable.

1. Some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD are:

• Self-focused behavior
• Interrupting often
• Emotional turmoil
• Difficulty waiting for their turn
• Fidgetiness
• Issues with playing quietly
• Insufficient focus
• Incomplete tasks

ADHD is tough to identify as no test can give a definite diagnose. Inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are some behavioral characteristics that most children exhibit at some point of time to a certain degree. Based on the intensity levels, learning disability, and psychological conditions, ADHD can be identified with consistent observation.

Listed below are some ADHD myths that need to be debunked. By doing so, one can understand ADHD properly and help the child:

2. Consistent hyperactivity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three types of ADHD and two of them include symptoms of hyperactivity.

• Predominantly inattentive presentation
  Trouble organizing or paying attention to details or finishing up a task or following conversations and instructions, easily distracted or forgets everyday routine details.
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation
  Too much fidgeting, talking, difficulty being still for long periods, usually jumping, running or climbing are common. The child also interrupts a lot, speaks in between, it is hard for him/her to wait for their turn and gets injured or has more accidents as compared to others.
• Combined presentation
  This type is a combination of all the above symptoms.

3. Focused children do not have ADHD

Since it is an attention deficit disorder, people assume that children who can be attentive and finish their tasks cannot have ADHD. But, since each child’s symptoms are different, hyper-focus can be a symptom of ADHD too. It is best to say that the focus is disordered than a lack of attention in ADHD.

4. ADHD is a learning disability
Parents feel that an ADHD-impacted child cannot do well in school and it impacts their learning. ADHD is a neurological condition that impacts the input, process, and output of the brain. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, ADHD and learning disabilities are two different conditions. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and therapy, ADHD kids can achieve the best results in school.

5. ADHD symptoms will vanish on their own

Treatment, early diagnosis, and attention are what your child needs when diagnosed with ADHD. A psychiatrist or a psychologist can help and with a healthy diet as well as an appropriate exercise plan, the child can be assisted to manage the condition.

There are several ADHD myths associated with the condition. ADHD impacts around 11% of children in our country according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to such myths, it has become one of the most misunderstood conditions.