ADHD in Children: What Parents in Hyderabad Need to Know

Does your child struggle to sit still for even a few minutes? Are teachers saying they are always distracted or interrupting others? If this pattern has gone on for months and is affecting school or home life, ADHD may be worth considering.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition — meaning it is related to how the brain is wired, not a character flaw or parenting failure. Children with ADHD have difficulty with attention, impulse control, and/or activity levels compared to their peers.

ADHD is estimated to affect about 5–8% of school-age children in India. Boys are diagnosed more often, but girls can have ADHD too — often the "inattentive" type, which is easier to miss.

The Three Types of ADHD

• Predominantly Inattentive: The child loses focus easily, forgets instructions, makes careless mistakes, and daydreams. Often mistaken for laziness or low intelligence.
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: The child is always moving, talks too much, interrupts others, and cannot wait their turn.
• Combined Type: Both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity are present. This is the most common type.

Signs of ADHD in Children

In school-age children, typical signs include:

• Cannot focus on tasks for more than a few minutes
• Frequently loses stationery, books, or belongings
• Forgets daily routine tasks (homework, packing bag)
• Constantly fidgeting, squirming, or leaving their seat
• Interrupts conversations or blurts out answers before questions are finished
• Difficulty waiting for their turn in games or activities
• Often acts without thinking of consequences

Importantly, these behaviours need to occur in more than one setting (home and school), have been present for at least 6 months, and cause actual problems in the child's life. All children are sometimes restless — ADHD is about a persistent pattern.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

There is no single blood test or brain scan for ADHD. Diagnosis is clinical — done by a specialist (paediatric neurologist or developmental paediatrician) through detailed interviews with parents, structured questionnaires completed by parents and teachers, behavioural observation, and ruling out other causes like vision/hearing problems, anxiety, sleep disorders, or learning disabilities.

ADHD Treatment Options

ADHD is highly manageable. Treatment typically includes:

• Behavioural Therapy: First-line treatment, especially for children under 6. Teaches organisational skills, impulse control, and coping strategies.
• Classroom Modifications: Seating near the teacher, extra time for tests, breaking tasks into smaller steps.
• Parent Training: Learning how to respond to challenging behaviours consistently and calmly.
• Medication: For school-age children with moderate to severe ADHD, medications (methylphenidate is the most common) can significantly improve focus and reduce impulsivity. Medication is always used alongside therapy, not instead of it.

"ADHD is not about effort or intelligence. Many children with ADHD are highly creative, energetic, and capable — they just need the right support and strategies to channel their strengths."

Dr. Anand Karnam evaluates and manages ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions at Sri Anand Child and Neuro Center, Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad. Call +91 90633 66983 to book an assessment.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand Karnam, MBBS · DNB · DrNB · FWHS. Follows IAP ADHD management guidelines.