Being inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive are the three main signs of juvenile ADHD. If you have spent any amount of time observing children then you are bound to notice that many of them seem to be bundles of energy bouncing off of the walls, seem to have very short attention spans and get bored easily, and they seem to switch from one activity to another without thought or consideration of consequences, such as the favorite playground trick of jumping out of swings. So, how can you know if you are seeing the signs of juvenile ADHD or merely witnessing the wonders of growing up?

Paying attention to the frequency and severity of the signs of Juvenile ADHD are a very important step in determining whether or not your child may have something more serious going on besides the normal angst of childhood. If you notice the following signs in your child that occur on a frequent basis and to the point that they seem to be interfering with your child's ability to learn, complete important tasks, or get along with others and is becoming extremely disruptive then speak with a mental health care provider since they are the only ones who can properly diagnose the signs of Juvenile ADHD and determine whether it is behavior prompted by other causes or if they are in fact true signs of Juvenile ADHD and if so, they can help you and your child to lean the necessary methods for coping with and controlling the behaviors associated with Juvenile ADHD.

Signs of Juvenile ADHD to watch for include:

1. Having trouble establishing or maintaining focus on a given task or event.

2. Gets distracted too easily and too frequently.

3. Can not seem to organize their tasks, desk, toys, etc.

4. Has trouble completing projects and following through on a task.

5. Has trouble paying attention to a conversation; appears as if they are ignoring you when you speak.

6. Can not follow directions on a regular and consistent basis.

7. Has a lot of trouble keeping up toys, school book, etc. and easily looses items or forgets where they were placed.

8. Interrupts conversations often or rushes to answer questions before they are completed; difficulty waiting for their turn to speak.

9. Difficulty in maintaining and controlling emotions, especially strong ones.

10. Energetic and always “on the go”.

11. Can not sit still; is always squirming or trying to get out of their seat being extremely restless when trying to sit still for any length of time.

    As a parent, you are in the best position to notice the frequency and intensity of many of these symptoms and if you feel that your child's behavior may be something more than just the general inability to sit still or lack of attention that is somewhat normal with many children then speak to a qualified mental care provider who can help you to accurately diagnose the behavior and equip your child with the tools they will need to adjust to life with ADHD.