Concerned That Your Child Has ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a developmental/behavioral condition affecting millions of children and adults in the ADHDUS. Quirky and difficult to diagnose, ADHD presents significant challenges to children, parents, caregivers and educators. At White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC, the team of five pediatricians helps families navigate the diagnosis, treatment, and everyday coping associated with ADHD.

What you should know about ADHD

Does your child behave in ways other children do not? Are they super active, restless, and can't stay on task? These behavior patterns could constitute ADHD, but questions about and evaluation of symptoms should begin with your Raleigh, NC, pediatrician.

Symptoms of ADHD often include:

  • Extreme rowdiness
  • Inability to concentrate and finish tasks
  • Difficulty remembering things and staying organized
  • Procrastination
  • Constant talking
  • Poor listening skills

The National Resource Center on ADHD says these symptoms must be "extreme, pervasive, and persistent" to constitute an actual diagnosis. To determine what's happening with your child, your pediatrician may refer you to a neuropsychologist or other specialist for further testing. With a diagnosis, your pediatrician can reach out to your child's school for input on their IEP, or Individualized Education Program, and prescribe medications to normalize the most disruptive of ADHD behaviors.

ADHD is becoming more common

For reasons, yet to be uncovered, ADHD affects more individuals with each passing year. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta (CDC) reports a recent rise to 6.4 million American children ages 7 to 14.

However, parents should understand that this problem affects adults, too, and often goes undiagnosed and untreated. ADHD definitely runs in families; so if your child has this brain-based disorder, likely someone else in your family does as well.

Besides stimulant medications such as Adderall and Ritalin, your child's doctor may recommend positive reinforcement (rewarding desired behaviors) as an effective therapy. Additionally, parents should understand that while boys receive the official diagnosis of ADHD more frequently than girls, this disorder truly does cross lines of gender, socioeconomic status, race, and more.

Find out more

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else. If you observe behaviors in him or her that seem very different from those of other youngsters and wish to talk about them, please call (919) 787-0266 to schedule a consultation at White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC. Our professional team is eager to help all children be healthy and well-functioning in all areas of their lives.

White Oak Pediatrics

Address

4414 Lake Boone Trail,
Suite 103,
Raleigh, NC 27607

Monday  

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday  

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday  

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday  

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Friday  

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday  

8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday  

Closed

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