You’ve probably heard a lot about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD. You may be wondering if your child has the disorder. The first step in finding out is scheduling an ADHD screening with your pediatrician.
Dr. Mary Ogunsanya at Maryland Children Health Center provides a wide range of medical services for children, including ADHD screenings. She has two convenient office locations in Glenn Dale, and Oxon Hill, MD, to help you and your child.
What You Need To Know About ADHD Screenings
Your child can benefit from an ADHD screening if your child is demonstrating the common signs of ADHD, which include:
- An inability to stay still for long periods
- Frequent squirming and fidgeting
- An inability to get and stay organized
- Frequently losing or forgetting things
- Not listening or paying attention
- Excessively talking and blurting out comments
- Running and climbing at inappropriate times
When you bring your child to see the pediatrician for an ADHD screening, your pediatrician will:
- Perform a comprehensive physical examination, including height, weight, and vital signs
- Record your child’s medical history, including recent illnesses, current medications, and hospitalizations
- Record current signs and symptoms, including behavioral problems
- Interview your child, you, members of your household, and possibly your child’s teachers about your child’s behavior
If your child does have ADHD, your pediatrician may treat the disorder with:
- Medication therapy, which helps to maximize brain function, sharpen focus, and control behavioral issues
- Behavioral therapy, to learn impulse control and limit or eliminate inappropriate behaviors
- Lifestyle modification, to increase nutrients, limit sugar, and increase exercise to promote healthy habits
It’s important to have your child treated for ADHD because untreated ADHD can lead to problems in school, and when your child becomes an adult. Some of the potential problems related to ADHD include:
- Learning difficulties
- Poor performance in school or work
- Aggressive, harmful behaviors
- Difficulty with relationships
- Mood swings and depression
- Sleep disorders and insomnia
Want to Know More?
To learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of ADHD, including an ADHD screening, call Dr. Mary Ogunsanya at Maryland Children Health Center. You can reach her in Glenn Dale, MD, by calling (301) 218-0398, or in Oxon Hill, MD, by calling (301) 567-1767, so call today.