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Does My Baby or Toddler Have ADHD? October is ADHD Awareness Month and Families takes up the baton to raise understanding about this debilitating condition. Inattention, poor impulse control and hyperactivity are some of the key characteristics that define ADHD. These difficult behaviours may slowly become apparent. Many children with ADHD will have been particularly hard to put down to sleep as infants, so you may well find yourself pacing around the house with them in the middle of the night to no avail.
Research studies1 show that infants who experienced regulatory issue problems were at the highest risk of developing behavioural problems, with temper tantrums and ADHD the most common behavioural problems to develop.
Tantrums Problems with temperament are particularly common in infants with ADHD. From rocking in their cribs or baby chairs to thumping one or both of their feet, a baby with ADHD may engage in a variety of troubling behaviours. However, it is only when the problems continue after other babies have grown out of them that the issue becomes apparent.
NICE guidelines state that “ADHD should be considered in all age groups, with symptom criteria adjusted for age-appropriate changes in behaviour.” As soon as they reach 3 years, certain researchers have suggested that a child can reliably be diagnosed with ADHD through evaluations. ADHD that’s visible in toddlerhood can be associated with a number of causes and risk factors, including: • Genes • Low birth-weight, especially caused by premature birth • Central nervous system problems at critical moments during development • Mother using drugs, alcohol, or smoking, or exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy ADHD also has a number of early indicators. Your child will not necessarily have ADHD if they have some of these signs and symptoms, but they may be worth taking into consideration: • Slowed rate of head growth • Issues with behaviour • Delay in motor development, speech, and language By Toby Buckley
For more information about ADHD, check out this helpful guide from Need2Know books at http://need2knowbooks.co.uk/product/theessential-guide-to-adhd/ Use N2K25OFF for a 25% discount.
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Around one fifth of all babies in their first year will show signs of “regulatory issues” such as sleeping issues, difficulty feeding and persistent crying. However, by the time they reach preschool, most of these infants will have adjusted and their transient symptoms will disappear.
Can Toddlers be Diagnosed with ADHD?
Where Can I find Out More?
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Nursing for long periods in the middle of the night can be particularly challenging with a baby with ADHD, who might sleep for a short while then wake up screaming and crying demanding full attention. Also, nightmares may wake them back up pretty quickly even if you do manage to get them to sleep.
It can also take a strict eye to figure out whether or not a baby is having difficulty remembering things. One issue can be food: does your infant tend to put food in their mouth but forget to chew or swallow? Do they start crying for attention in the middle of a game, seemingly forgetting that they were playing? These might be indicators of ADHD.
How to make
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Roasted Vegetable Pasta You’ll need... • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sweet Potato finely diced, 150g Oil, 6ml Mixed Peppers fresh or frozen, 96g Courgettes finely diced, 270g Red Onions finely diced, 200g Garlic Clove (grated), 1 Tomato Puree, 24g Chopped Tomato, 200g Vegetable Stock, 100ml Mixed Herbs, 1/2tspn Sweetcorn, 180g Parsley, 3g Pasta (of your choice), 210g
Sources: 1 Archive of Disease in Childhood
How to make it 1. Put two thirds of the cooking oil in a baking tin, then add the finely diced vegetables.
‘R’ You School Lunch Ready? Starting school is a huge step for young children and they can tire quickly as they become used to the school routine. But you can help them keep their energy levels high with a freshly cooked nutritious school meal from HC3S. Research suggests that wellnourished children perform better at school, allowing them to flourish in the classroom or on the sports field. Meals are carefully planned in line with school food standards, containing the right balance of calories, vitamins and other nutrients children need and are nut-free. In fact, HC3S is the first school meal caterer to be awarded the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group award for
4 Families Dorset
excellence in school catering, with no additives included its ingredients. Only one in 100 packed lunches meet required nutritional standards, and making your own lunches every day is an added stress to the morning school routine. Plus, children are good at throwing their packed lunch contents away or giving the bits they don’t want to a hungrier friend. As meals are free up to Year 3 regardless of your income, you can save your family money. Remember to find school lunch menus, healthy recipes and other useful information on the HC3S Facebook page or download our menus and calendar from www.hants.gov.uk/hc3s.
2. Roast the vegetables at 180 degrees c or gas mark 4 for 25 minutes. Check the vegetables halfway through and turn to ensure they don't burn. 3. Put the grated garlic into a saucepan with the remaining oil, add the tomato puree, the chopped tomatoes, herbs and half of the stock, stir well and bring to the boil. Add the remaining stock slowly then add the sweetcorn and simmer. 4. Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling water for approximately 10 minutes and drain well, then mix the pasta, tomato sauce and roasted vegetables and serve. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or grated cheese or serve with garlic bread and steamed vegetables. Top Tip: The pasta, tomato sauce and roasted vegetables can be served separately if required.
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