Does your child have trouble sitting still or paying attention? You may have been told that ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) may be the cause. A child with ADHD might have a hard time staying focused (attention-deficit). They may also have trouble controlling impulses (hyperactivity disorder). ADHD symptoms like these can interfere with school, work, and other activities. They can also strain social relationships. ADHD is one of the most common brain-related disorders in children. It is also no one's fault. But if it's not treated, it can hurt a child's confidence, make it hard to make friends, and affect how well they do in life. Effective treatment is available.

These are some of the symptoms of ADHD:

Symptoms of attention deficit include:

• Lacking mental focus
• Performing inconsistently
• Being easily distracted
• Having trouble shifting between tasks or settings
• Being messy, or losing things
• Being forgetful

Symptoms of hyperactive or impulsive behavior include:

• Having trouble controlling impulses (talking too much, interrupting, or having a hard time taking turns)
• Being easy to upset or anger
• Always moving (sometimes without purpose)
• Not learning from mistakes

The brain controls your body, thoughts, and feelings. It does so with the help of neurotransmitters. These chemicals help the brain send and receive messages. With ADHD, the level of these chemicals often varies. This may cause signs of ADHD to come and go.

ADHD can happen when the brain doesn't have enough of certain chemicals. This can cause trouble with sending messages in the brain. As a result, it can be hard for someone to focus or stay in control of their actions. As a result, traits common to ADHD may happen.

Children with ADHD can be challenging to raise. Because of this, it's easy to overlook their good traits. Focus on their positive traits. Think about what is special about your child. Do your best to value and support their unique talents, strengths, and interests. To nurture and support your child's self-esteem, share your positive thoughts and feelings with them as often as possible.

To learn more, go to the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder website at www.chadd.org