Pediatric ADHD Treatment

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 8.5% of children and 2.5% of adults, characterized by either inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or a combination of all three. It significantly impacts various areas of life, including academics, relationships, and self-esteem.

ADHD in Children

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, with the brain undergoing significant development in the first few years of life.

The first 9 months after birth, known as “exterogestation,” are crucial for brain development, where consistent care, touch, and breastfeeding play vital roles.

Positive interactions with the mother, such as recognizing her scent and focusing on her face, stimulate the formation of neural networks in the child’s brain, controlled by the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC).

Disruptions in this early bond and brain development can contribute to ADHD.

The OFC in children with ADHD shows abnormal electrical brain activity, with decreased activity when focusing on tasks, leading to inattention and poor reaction control.

The OFC is responsible for filtering emotions, thoughts, and impulses, and disturbances in this process may cause emotional overload, impairing attention and memory.

It also plays a role in short-term memory and emotional processing, which can result in symptoms like memory loss and emotional dysregulation in ADHD.

Types of ADHD in Children

There are three main types of ADHD:

1. Inattentive type: It is characterized by difficulty staying focused, organizing tasks, and following instructions, often leading to mistakes and forgetfulness. Individuals with this type may struggle with activities requiring sustained mental effort and frequently loose
2. Hyperactive/impulsive type: it involves excessive movement, difficulty staying seated, impulsive behavior, and challenges with waiting one’s turn or interrupting others. This type is marked by restlessness, excessive talking, and difficulty controlling actions in social or structured settings.
3. Combined type: it includes symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Individuals with this type experience difficulties in multiple areas, as they meet the criteria for both types of ADHD.

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Signs and symptoms of ADHD in Children

Children with ADHD often struggle with various challenges, including:

• Difficulty following directions or remembering instructions: For example, they may forget what their mother told them at the doorstep or have trouble recalling simple tasks. This is often related to deficits in short-term memory, making it hard to retain and act on instructions.
• Interrupting others during conversations: Children with ADHD may have trouble waiting their turn to speak, blurting out answers or interrupting others.
• Excessive movements or talking: This includes restlessness like excessive fidgeting, continuous talking, or habits like nail-biting. In some cases, children may have extraordinary motor skills, but their energy can become overwhelming and difficult to manage in social situations.
• Incoordination in movement: Some children may show signs of physical clumsiness, having trouble with tasks that require fine or gross motor skills, like tying shoelaces.
• Difficulty understanding social cues and interpersonal relationships: They might not pick up on subtle social signals, such as when it’s time to leave a friend’s house. A child with ADHD could stay longer than expected without realizing that their friends need rest, highlighting challenges in reading social situations and understanding boundaries.
• Over-shopping or impulsive buying: Children may act impulsively, buying things they don’t need or spending more money than they intended.
• Time illiteracy: When engaged in activities like playing video games, children with ADHD can lose track of time, spending hours without realizing how much time has passed. This is because they can become hyperfocused on tasks that are stimulating but struggle to manage time effectively or switch between tasks.

Causes of ADHD in Children

• The exact causes of ADHD are not fully identified, but genetics play a significant role in its development.
• Perinatal factors, such as low birth weight, premature birth, exposure to toxins or stress during pregnancy, and disruptions in early mother-child bonding or family stability in the first 9 months, are linked to the onset of ADHD.

These factors contribute to imbalances in brain chemicals and structural changes in the brain, which are responsible for the behaviors associated with ADHD.

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Pediatric ADHD treatment in Abu Dhabi

ADHD treatment typically involves a combination of therapy and medication.

For preschool-aged children, first-line treatment includes behavioral strategies like parent management training.

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based therapy for young children with ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder.
• Occupational therapy helps in enhancing functions of pre frontal cortex, executive functioning, planning and organization. It also helps to improve the clumsiness and fine motor coordination and works on sensory needs of the child.
• Psychostimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate) are the first-line pharmacological treatments for ADHD, helping to rebalance brain chemicals.

The goal of treatment is to improve symptoms and restore functioning at home and school, with families potentially adjusting medications based on efficacy and tolerability.

When to see a Pediatric Neurologist?

You should consider seeing a Pediatric Neurologist if your child:

• Has been showing symptoms for at least 6 months without significant improvement.
• Exhibits symptoms that appeared before the age of 12, suggesting early onset.
• Displays symptoms in at least two different settings, such as home and school, to rule out situational factors like specific teachers or parental control.
• Experiences significant difficulties in social, academic, or occupational areas of life due to the symptoms.
• Shows symptoms that cannot be better explained by another condition.

Why Choose Reem Hospital for ADHD Treatment in Children?

At Reem Hospital Abu Dhabi, we provide expert care for ADHD. Our top specialists utilize advanced treatments and state-of-the-art technology to deliver the best possible care for your little ones. From diagnosis to a specialized rehabilitation program, patients receive personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs, helping them manage this challenging condition and achieve optimal results. Our seamless booking system ensures scheduling appointments and checking OPD timings is quick and hassle-free.

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