Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in children. The CDC estimates that over 6 million children have been diagnosed with ADHD, which translates into about 9.4% of children aged 4-17. While the signs and symptoms of ADHD can vary from person to person, children with ADHD often have trouble focusing and paying attention, get easily distracted, have trouble controlling their impulses, and may be overly active.
For parents with children diagnosed with ADHD, it is important to know that an overwhelming majority are likely to be diagnosed with another psychiatric and/or developmental disorder at some point in their lifetime. Additionally, about half of children with ADHD have two co-existing conditions along with their ADHD. These comorbid conditions exist alongside ADHD and can often affect their overall plan of treatment.
The following are common conditions often found in people diagnosed with ADHD:
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Bipolar Mood Disorder
- Depression
- Learning Disabilities
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Tourette’s Disorder
As parents and caregivers, we want our children to succeed in life and to be happy. This is often harder to achieve in children with ADHD and can take multiple tries to find the right path educationally, socially, and therapeutically. It can be even harder if they have a comorbid condition. The best way to make progress is to identify if your child has any additional psychiatric or neurodevelopmental conditions and which one or ones they have. Knowing which conditions your child has is integral to finding their path to success.
If you suspect your child has ADHD or ADHD and an additional comorbid condition, Dr. Kothari, MD can provide the appropriate testing to make a diagnosis and begin a plan of treatment. As a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist serving the Boca Raton and Palm Beach areas, Dr. Kothari sees many children with ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, learning difficulties, depression, mood disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as other conditions. Dr. Kothari works as a team with parents, doctors, and other professionals to create the best treatment plan for each child, which may include academic accommodations, medications, cognitive behavior therapy, occupational therapy, as well as a variety of other options. Dr. Kothari, MD offers both initial and follow up appointments by calling her Boca Raton office at (561) 483-0844.
