Long Term Consequences of ADHD in Kids

Ten percent of children in the United States have ADHD. This neurodevelopmental disorder makes paying attention in school and at home extremely difficult. But it can be hard to determine whether or not your child has ADHD in the first place. The symptoms of ADHD are commonly misdiagnosed, especially among children. Having your child diagnosed with ADHD can be a long and nerve-wracking process. It might take some time and experimentation to find the right doctors and treatment for not only your child but for your family as well. While future obstacles as a parent are inevitable, getting your child evaluated if you suspect they have ADHD is extremely important. Letting ADHD go untreated could potentially leave your child lacking social skills, which could lead to criminal activity.

 

Check out our similar articles:

What Makes ADHD Difficult to Diagnose?

According to the National Library of Medicine, ADHD is the most commonly misdiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder among children. If your child struggles at school and at home, it is possible that it is ADHD, but this isn’t always the case. There are a multitude of reasons why ADHD holds the number one spot for misdiagnosis. Oftentimes, ADHD may even be confused with many other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism. It is beneficial to have your child diagnosed as early as possible, but at times rushing into a diagnosis will have its own side effects. Children who are born closer to the age cut off for school may experience what is called the relative age effect. These children (who are the youngest in their class) may be struggling more in school, but it may just be because of their age. On the opposite end of the scale, your child’s ADHD could be overlooked if you assume that hyperactivity is simply because they are a kid. “Kids will be kids” as they say. 

Other factors influencing a difficult diagnosis are gender, race, and the child’s family’s ability to pay. ADHD is most commonly overlooked in children born female, rather than children born male. This is because ADHD shows up differently. You may imagine a young boy with ADHD bouncing off the walls. But when it comes to young girls, ADHD may present as being “spacey”, with trouble staying organized and remembering things in school, as well as at home. Recent studies published by the NIH (National Library of Medicine) are showing race and family income plays an important role in a family’s ability to get their child to a psychologist. The topic of misdiagnosed ADHD is a topic that is still being studied today.

Your Child Was Just Diagnosed With ADHD, Now What?

Most likely, your medical professional has suggested prescription medications. The medication most professionals recommend will be a stimulant such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Focalin. A stimulant is a drug that “wakes up” the body. It increases heart rate and allows for faster communication between neurons in the brain. There is evidence supporting that stimulants reduce the symptoms of ADHD. They work the same way your morning cup of coffee helps you get through the day at work. Although stimulants work for some families, there are many options that you as a parent should explore to treat your child with ADHD. Alternative ways to treat ADHD may be a better fit for your child and your family. Adderall and other stimulants have short and long-term side effects from loss of appetite to personality disorders. 

Research Shows: ADHD Left Untreated, May Lead to Lifelong Consequences.

Research from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the National Library of Medicine (NIH) suggests untreated childhood ADHD may lead to social, learning, and Psychological impairment as well as an increased risk for criminal activities. The CDC does an excellent job at describing many comorbid (a disorder that exists at the same time as another) disorders, and health risk behaviors (destructive behaviors). Estimates for comorbid disorders among people with ADHD range from 30-60%. A vast majority of these adults with comorbid disorders have learning disorders and mood disorders. Health risk disorders associated with adults with ADHD include smoking, risk-taking, substance abuse, and criminal behavior. The NIH collected data from national research studies on the link between ADHD and criminal activities. “Individuals with ADHD have been shown to be more likely to commit both minor offenses such as traffic violations and speeding as well as crimes leading to incarceration. In particular, property theft, carrying a concealed weapon, illegal drug possession, and arrests rates have been shown to be positively related to ADHD”.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Experimentation with various treatment options will help you find the right treatment for your child.

Alternative Treatment Options

  • Speech-Language Pathology: A speech-language pathologist is a professional therapist. This type of professional will work with your child to help them develop their language skills. Speech-Language Pathology works with children to develop their social skills, reading and writing skills, memory, and organizational skills.
  • Vitamins and minerals: According to the Journal of Plant Medicine, vitamins and minerals such as omega-3 and omega-6, and zinc can help improve symptoms of ADHD in children. 
  • Equine Therapy: Equine therapy is a type of therapy that originated with the Greeks. It helps treat people with ADHD, autism, and mental health conditions. A session with an equine therapist or on an equine simulator chair works by calming children down. 

Traditional Treatment Options

  • Prescription Stimulants: Prescription stimulants work in a similar way to coffee. They help “wake up” the body by telling your heart to pump faster, and your brain to form more pathways. This form of medication helps children focus.
  • Psychotherapy: A psychotherapist, also known as a talk therapist can help your child by allowing them a place to open up. They can also help target specific side effects of ADHD such as poor organizational skills, poor social skills, and extreme emotional reactions.

The Difference the Right Treatment Makes

Finding the right treatment for your child and family may take some time. There are a lot of factors to consider. What risks are you willing to take? Can your family afford it? Is it working for your child? If the treatment you are using for your child is not working, it may still lead to negative lifelong consequences.

REST: Because it works

It’s time to put REST into your life. And take advantage of all of the benefits equine motion has to offer any time, any place. At Gait, we firmly believe it will be a powerful, rewarding, and effective tool for helping treat your special needs child, children, or adult.

$3,495

Includes shipping and handling. Sales tax where applicable.

Orders will be processed in the sequence in which they were received.

Please allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery.