Are you sure your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

A PHDis a neurodevelopmental condition that affects about 5% of school-age children, often extending into adulthood. Characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity, this disorder can have a substantial impact on the academic and social life of the individual, from childhood to adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty maintaining focus on tasks, motor agitation and impulsivity, often resulting in misunderstanding and frustration on the part of the child.

‍

However, it is crucial to distinguish between typical childhood behaviors and signs of ADHD, as these can often overlap and lead to misinterpretations and inaccurate diagnoses. For a correct diagnosis of PHDA, the symptoms must be consistent and significantly affect the child's daily life in various situations. It is important to understand that PHDA is a neurological condition, with roots in dysregulated brain activity patterns, such as a low threshold of impulse control and difficulty in delaying gratification, which directly influences the emotional well-being of the child.

‍

Misinterpretation of the challenges faced by the child should not be attributed to parents or health professionals, but to the limitations of conventional assessment methods. Subjective reports from parents and teachers, along with time-spaced assessments, are often not enough to understand the complexity of a child's mental and brain experiences. Fortunately, thanks to recent technological advances, we now have tools that allow us to directly explore the underlying causes of these challenges.

‍