ADHD in Kids and Adults: What’s Changed in Testing, Treatment, and Awareness

ADHD in Kids and Adults: What’s Changed in Testing, Treatment, and Awareness

TERM… A-D-H-D HAS BECOME A TERM… WE HEAR OFTEN…. BUT DOCTORS SAY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN AROUND. . OLIVIA: ADHD HAS BECOME A TERM WE HEAR OFTEN. DOCTORS SAY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN AROUND AS PART OF OUR “ASK THE EXPERT” SERIES, I FOUND OUT WHAT’S CHANGED WITH AWARENESS AND TESTING. >> ACCORDING TO DOCTORS ADHD IS A NEURO DEVELOPMENTAL CONDITION. >> STANDS FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPER ACTIVITY DISORDER THAT AFFECTS CHILDREN AND ADULTS. OLIVIA: JUSTIN PLAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST AT BON SECOURS ST. FRANCIS >> BASED ON JEN NERVES AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. OLIVIA: CAN INCLUDE IN TANTIVENESS, HYPER ACTIVITY AND BOTH. >> MOST PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES GOING ONE TASK TO THE NEXT WITHOUT COMPLETING ANY TASK FULLY. AND THEY ALSO WOULD BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOT OF FORGETFULNESS. OLIVIA: FOR SOME SYMPTOMS CAN IMPROVE. >> A LOT OF TIMES ADULTS WHEN KIDS WHO WERE HYPERACTIVE MAY OUT GROW SOME BEHAVIORS. BUT USUALLY INATTENTIVE SYMPTOMS OF CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS PERSISTS. OLIVIA: PLANT SAID HAVING A ROUTINE CAN BE HELPFUL. ALSO SUGGESTS PARENT TRAINING. >> HOW TO PROVIDE PROMPTS, R HOW TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FOCUSES ON STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE HELPS MANAGE THOSE SYMPTOMS. OLIVIA: MEDICATION MAY BE REQUIRED TO TREAT SOME SYMPTOMS BUT PLANT SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO WATCH IT FOR NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECT. >> SOMETIMES MAKE IT HARD TO FALL ASLEEP OR STAY ASLEEP. APPETITE SUPPRESSION CAN ALSO HAPPEN. OLIVIA: AS WELL AS CHANGES TO YOUR CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH. PLANT SAYS THINGS LIKE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION CAN OFTEN BE A BY-PRODUCT OF HAVING ADHD. >> FOR KIDS IN SCHOOL. THAT MAY BE STRUGGLE WITH ACADEMIA BECAUSE OF ADHD OR THEY’RE OFTEN IN TROUBLE FOR HYPER ACTIVE PRESENTATION. CAN RESULT IN ISSUES WITH YOU KNOW, AFFECTING THEIR SELF ESTEEM AND WONDERFUL. OLIVIA: REGARDLESS HOW ONE DECIDES TO TREAT THEIR ADHD SYMPTOMS PLANT SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS. >> BECAUSE WE HAVE ADHD AND THOSE AREAS MAY BE DIFFICULT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL’S LACK OF INTELLIGENCE. OLIVIA: IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD OR YOU MAY HAVE ADHD, ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO BE TESTED. PLANT ALSO SAYS ADHD CAN BE RATED FROM MILD TO SEVERE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF SYMPTOMS THAT A PERSON MAY EXPERIENCE. TO SUBMIT A TOPIC FOR

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. In this Ask the Expert segment, we explore what’s changed over the years in ADHD testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Learn how symptoms can present differently with age, the benefits of structure and routine, and how treatments like medication and behavioral strategies can help. Experts also highlight the link between ADHD and mental health, and why intelligence is never the issue.