Always On the Go: Is Your Child Just Playful or Struggling with ADHD?

Many young children are active. ADHD is more than simply being naughty, playful or full of energy.

For ADHD, symptoms are generally expected to be present in more than one setting and to affect the child's daily functioning.

We Look for Symptoms in More Than One Setting

Home

School

Social situations

Core Symptoms

Inattention

Easily distracted, forgetful, loses things, has difficulty sustaining attention or often does not seem to listen when spoken to.

Hyperactivity

Always on the move, fidgets, runs or climbs excessively, or has difficulty staying seated when expected.

Impulsivity

Interrupts others, acts without thinking, has difficulty waiting for turns or frequently answers before a question has been completed.

Before a diagnosis of ADHD can be established, symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity need to have persisted for at least 6 months and be inappropriate for the child's developmental level.

The symptoms should also cause difficulties in areas such as learning, relationships or everyday functioning.

A Proper Assessment May Include

Parent questionnaires
Teacher questionnaires
Developmental history
School and behavioural information
Assessment of learning or cognitive skills when needed
Consideration of other possible causes of the child's difficulties

There is no single test that can diagnose ADHD. Doctors consider information from different settings and look at the child's overall development and functioning.

💡 Take-Home Message: Not every active child has ADHD. However, persistent symptoms that occur across settings and affect learning, relationships or daily functioning deserve assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is being very active a sign of ADHD?

Not necessarily. Young children can naturally be energetic and active. ADHD involves a persistent pattern of symptoms that is more significant than expected for the child's developmental level and affects daily functioning.

Does ADHD only happen at school?

No. ADHD symptoms may affect more than one setting, such as home, school and social situations. Information from parents and teachers can therefore be useful during assessment.

How long do ADHD symptoms need to last?

Symptoms need to have persisted for at least 6 months before an ADHD diagnosis can be established, together with other diagnostic requirements.

Is there a test for ADHD?

There is no single blood test, scan or questionnaire that can diagnose ADHD. Assessment usually involves information from parents, teachers and healthcare professionals.

Can other conditions look like ADHD?

Yes. Sleep problems, learning difficulties, anxiety, developmental differences and other conditions can sometimes cause symptoms that resemble ADHD. A proper assessment helps consider these possibilities.

Concerned About Your Child's Attention or Behaviour?

If your child's attention difficulties, hyperactivity or impulsive behaviour are persistent and affecting school, home or social activities, a paediatric assessment can help identify the possible cause.

Southern Child Specialist Clinic in Johor Bahru provides paediatric assessment for attention, hyperactivity, behaviour and developmental concerns.

Book a Paediatric Consultation