Helping hands therapy centre for learning, speech and development

What are some common signs that a child has special needs?

Sometimes it will be obvious that your child has special needs. Other times it won’t be so clear. This will depend partly on the type of special need or disability your child might have, as well as its severity. For instance, a physical disability, such as blindness or deafness, may become apparent quickly. Meanwhile, a mild form of a learning disability, such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, may be harder to detect.
If you suspect your child may have a special need, you’ll want to find out as soon as possible. Early detection can allow you to understand challenges your child may encounter in the future.

Focus of today is ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

For the symptom of inattention, nine associated behaviours are described:
• failing to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
• difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
• not seeming to listen when spoken to directly
• not following through on instructions and failing to finish school work, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behaviour or failure to understand instructions)
• difficulty organizing tasks and activities
• avoiding, disliking, or being reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
• losing things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
• being easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
• being forgetful in daily activities

For symptoms of hyperactivity & impulsitivity, the following behaviours are described:

• fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in seat
• leaving their seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
• running around or climbing excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
• difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
• being ‘on the go’ or often acting as if ‘driven by a motor’
• talking excessively
• blurting out answers before questions have been completed
• difficulty awaiting turn
• interrupting or intruding on others (e.g., butting into conversations or games)