​Is it ADHD or other developmental disorders?

MARCH 29, 2019 @ 4.03PM

ADHD is diagnosed in children above the age of five.

​​Around five percent of children are affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It's important, however, not to confuse attention-related issues in young children with those stemming from other developmental disorders, particularly when they are under the age of five.

Dr Raja Juanita Raja Lope (pix) a pediatrician consultant and developmental pediatrician at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, has emphasized that children below the age of five may exhibit underlying developmental challenges, such as speech and language disorders, speech and language delays, or global developmental delays, where their skills fall below the expected level for their age.

"If a child is grappling with other developmental areas, such as dyslexia, they may also experience attention-related problems as a secondary issue," notes Raja Juanita. As part of the assessment process, it is crucial to explore any additional developmental difficulties.

"Often, we observe that improving specific areas, like addressing speech and language delays, which can be a root cause of attention problems, leads to an improvement in the child's attention span. This is particularly relevant for children under five years of age," she explained.

Early signs of hyperactivity
Early Warning Signs: Parents should be alert to early signs of hyperactivity, such as a child's inability to focus on playing with a single toy for an extended period. They might only engage with it for a brief moment before moving on to another activity. Some children may struggle to sit still, even when watching a program. However, it's important to consider the child's age when assessing these behaviors.

"As ADHD is typically diagnosed in children aged five and older, the primary issues are often related to attention deficit and hyperactivity," she added.

In these cases, a child's speech, language, and other developmental aspects may be normal, but they could be easily distracted by environmental factors like noise, lighting, or sensory stimuli. They may exhibit behaviors like looking around in class, getting up and moving around frequently, displaying impatience, and acting impulsively, often unaware of potential dangers—these are characteristic features of ADHD.

"Children with ADHD may struggle with listening, frequently interrupt others, and find it challenging to complete tasks that require sustained focus. It's not that they lack the ability to perform these tasks; rather, their attention difficulties hinder their ability to learn and function effectively in various settings," she explained.

Additionally, children with ADHD may encounter social difficulties, as they tend to be overly enthusiastic or physically rough in their interactions.

Parents and teachers role
Occupational therapy can be beneficial for improving attention in children with ADHD. Occupational therapists employ techniques such as sensory integration to address certain aspects of inattention, although it does not provide a cure.

There are various strategies that parents and teachers can employ to help children with ADHD, including attention training, which assists children in sitting still, regulating their attention, and exhibiting better behavior.

Another technique involves breaking down information into smaller, manageable portions and presenting it in various formats. This might entail a combination of verbal and visual communication to capture the child's attention.

Teachers can also encourage a child with ADHD to sit at the front of the class and gently tap on their desk if their attention appears to be drifting.
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Breaking tasks into smaller, achievable steps can also enhance the likelihood of successful task completion for children with ADHD.

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