Children's ADHD symptoms similar to those for chronic stress

At a time when many families are looking for back-to-school bargains, others are coming into their pediatricians' offices looking for answers about their children's behavior.

"He never stops moving." "His teacher thinks I should have him tested." "She can't pay attention in class." "I think he needs medication to keep him still."

Pediatricians hear these concerns year-round, but they take on a more frantic urgency as school approaches. Many of these concerns are legitimate. But the more we learn about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the more we realize one label does not fit all, especially for more impoverished or stressed households.

A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that about 10 percent of American children have a diagnosis of ADHD. According to the CDC, some signs that a child might have ADHD include squirming or fidgeting, difficulty getting along with others, talking too much, daydreaming a lot, often forgetting or losing things, taking unnecessary risks, making careless mistakes, and having a hard time resisting temptation.