ADHD is not a problem with your child's intelligence, but with his attention. It is a disorder just like anxiety or depression and can be treated.

It starts as early as three years of age and if detected early, can be effectively treated by the time your child is 14 years.

How Do I Detect This Disorder?

You will know if your child has ADHD, when she displays the following behaviour.

• She is unable to pay attention and gets distracted very easily. 
•  She takes too long to respond.
• She is hyperactive, which means, she is unable to sit in one place for long and gets bored very easily.
• She is impulsive and very stubborn by nature.

Generally, children are stubborn and distractive, until the age of two or two and a half years. But as your kid grows up, these qualities usually fade off. In case it doesn't, you should seek a psychologist's or a psychotherapist's help.

Kids with ADHD also tend to have low self-esteem and confidence levels, as they are seen as dumb or different by their peer group. They are often poor performers due to their inability to concentrate.

Generally, genetic causes are attributed to ADHD. If you have a family history of ADHD, then your child is more likely to genetically inherit this disorder.

The neurotransmitter in the brain controls all activities and any chemical imbalance in it could lead to ADHD.

Spot the Problem

Dr. Seema Hingorrany, a child psychologist had a case of a nine-year-old boy who was hyperactive. "He couldn't sit still, even in class, and this  irritated his friends and teacher. As a result, he was excluded," explains Dr. Hingorrany.

"His mother didn't realise that it was a disorder and kept hitting him. But later, when she read an article on ADHD, she realised the problem and came to me," says Dr. Hingorrany.

The boy is now under medication and is showing lot of improvement.

It is important to observe your child and detect the problem.