Could Your Child Have ADHD?

Do you know a kid who enjoys playing outside, talking non-stop, and might only sit or focus for a very short period? It might be your own child or maybe you have noticed a kid who seems extremely active and always on the go. It could be the child has Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which effects an estimated 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults (Danielson, 2018; Simon, et al., 2009). ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions affecting children.  These kids may be prone to daydreaming a lot, being forgetful or losing things, have a hard time resisting temptations, taking turns and/or have difficulty with sleeping. All of these factors can sometimes make it challenging for children to excel in school and can cause anxiety or depression. Diagnosing ADHD usually includes a checklist and conversations with a pediatrician, teachers, and parents.

In the Asian community where well-behaved and an obedient disposition is valued, parents of children with ADHD may feel judged for not disciplining their children for impulsive behaviors or acting out. Understanding that ADHD is genetic and it impacts neurological processing is important as we grow and educate ourselves as a community. Most of the time kids want to behave yet they can’t always control their actions. Moving forward, there is a lot of positive news with ADHD and other neurological conditions in addition to resources available - please see below.

Looking for a parent community and/or have more resources to share? Please reach out to us at spa@sikhparentassociation.org

Some resources you might find beneficial are:

Dana Kay: The Thrive Institute – Fighting ADHD, the natural way: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com

Brown Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders: https://www.brownadhdclinic.com/helpful-links

Natural Remedies for ADHD: https://www.psycom.net/adhd/natural-remedies-for-adhd

Everything you need to know about ADHD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouZrZa5pLXk