NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A non-profit says they are seeing a dramatic increase in parents worried their child has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The group Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder says calls to their help line have increased by 62% since the pandemic, and more than half of them are from parents looking for a doctor who specializes in ADHD.
So why are parents noticing these problems now? One child psychiatrist says it has to do with the environment. In a classroom, a child has a set of rules and a schedule to follow. While at home, it's just not the same.
Now doctors say to actually determine if your child has ADHD, they must show at least six out of 18 symptoms. While it's good to seek professional help, there are some home remedies as well.
“The important thing is structure. The person with ADHD has trouble organizing things and following a schedule on their own, so the parent would need to make sure they get up on time that they tune in for the virtual learning on time, the same way, they would get them off to school,” said Dr. L Eugene Arnold, a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
Children aren't the only ones having problems focusing during this pandemic. Even adults working from home are struggling. If you'd like to get help from a specialist for yourself or your child, you can call 1-866-200-8098.
