When you notice that your child is struggling to pay attention, is impulsive, and can never sit still, you may not realize that they may be dealing with something more severe. ADHD affects millions of children and it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of what it looks like so that your child can get the necessary care that they need. Your pediatricians at Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, can answer any questions that you may have about ADHD and how it can affect your child.

Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD

Q. What is ADHD?

A. ADHD is a developmental disorder that can cause your child to feel hyperactive and have a hard time focusing. They may have an inability to pay attention for long periods of time and struggle with impulsivity. This can affect their ability to succeed in school and can be dangerous if you’re in public and they get distracted and wander away. ADHD can follow children into adulthood and it’s important to get diagnosed so that your child is able to make changes and help themselves function more successfully.

Q. What are the symptoms of ADHD?

A. There are a number of different symptoms associated with ADHD. You may notice that your child is unable to pay attention in class or when you’re speaking to them, they aren’t organized, they’re constantly fidgeting, or they’re forgetful. Some of these may seem like normal childhood actions, but when it’s to a point that you can no longer help your child control these behaviors, it may be a sign of ADHD.

Q. How is ADHD Treated?

A. Treatment is different for everyone, but your pediatrician in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, can come up with a plan to help manage your child’s ADHD. This could be with behavioral therapy, where you and your child can learn techniques to manage ADHD. Your child may also need medication. It may help to create a consistent schedule for your child as well so that they can learn to be more organized and focused.

Contact Your Pediatrician Today

Don’t ignore the signs of ADHD. Contact your pediatricians at Downers Grove Pediatrics in Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, IL, to ask further questions about ADHD and understand what your child may be going through. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (630) 852-4551 for the office in Downers Grove, IL, and (630) 759-9230 for the office in Bolingbrook, IL.

Find out more about well-child checkups and why they are crucial for your child’s health.

From the moment your baby is born, you want to give them everything. You also want to ensure they have everything they need to grow up healthy and strong. That’s where well-child visits come in. These checkups with your pediatrician allow them to check up and monitor your child’s health when they are growing fast and reaching one developmental milestone after another. These well-child visits help your child stay healthy and detect issues early on.

But My Child Is Healthy. Do They Still Need a Checkup?

Pediatrician visits aren’t just for sick kids. In fact, healthy children still need to visit their pediatrician regularly for wellness checkups to ensure they stay healthy. After all, these visits are the best way for your child’s medical team to monitor their health and development and catch problems early on. During your child’s well-child checkup, your pediatrician will evaluate your child’s health, growth and development.

How Often Do Wellness Checkups Occur?

How often your child visits their pediatrician will depend on their age. While you can easily find the American Academy of Pediatrics’ well-child care visit schedule online, for easy reference, your child should come in for a wellness checkup at,

• Three-five days old
• One month old
• Two months old
• Four months old
• Six months old
• Nine months old
• 12 months old
• 15 months old
• 24 months old
• 30 months old
• Three years old

Once your child reaches three years old, they only need to come in once a year for wellness checkups.

What Is Involved in a Wellness Checkup?

When your child comes into their pediatrician’s office, they will first check and record their height, weight and vital signs (e.g., heart rate; blood pressure). Your pediatrician will also go through your child’s medical history and family history to understand their current health and any preexisting conditions.

From there, your pediatrician will perform a comprehensive physical evaluation of your child, checking everything from reflexes and nerve function to the heart and lungs. During these wellness checkups, your pediatrician may also administer certain vaccines to keep your child safe and healthy and perform additional screenings such as hearing, vision and behavioral screenings to check for vision or hearing loss, ADHD or other behavioral problems.

A pediatrician isn’t here just to provide sick care to children; they are also here to provide preventive care such as well-child visits to support your child’s optimal health to prevent illnesses and injuries. Call your pediatrician to schedule your child’s next well-child visit.

Downers Grove Pediatrics has a skilled team of dedicated pediatricians to help you and your child. If you're concerned your child is displaying signs of ADHD in Downer's Grove, IL, or Bolingbrook, IL, we can help with diagnosis and treatment.

What is ADHD?

Every child has trouble staying on task sometimes, so how do you know if it's something more? ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects your child's ability to focus on tasks and activities. ADHD has three main symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. Every child is different and you do not need to display all three in order to have ADHD, but typical symptoms of children with ADHD include the following:

• Easily distracted
• Impulsive
• Hyperactive
• Trouble staying focused or paying attention
• Disrupting classroom activities
• Starts chores or tasks but doesn't finish them
• Disorganized
• Forgetful
• Difficulty sitting still
• Makes careless mistakes
• Doesn't seem to listen

ADHD ends up interfering with school performance and social interactions and affecting your child's entire life. If your child exhibits several or all of these symptoms, come see us in Bolingbrook, IL, for a screening test.

Treating ADHD

There is not a physical test or a specific diagnostic test for ADHD. Instead, a screening test for ADHD is more like a thorough interview. Depending on the child's age, an in-depth evaluation of the child's history will involve input from the parent or caregiver and observation of the child's behavior.

There is no cure for ADHD but symptoms can be managed with a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy. For very young children family therapy may be recommended. ADHD often occurs with other conditions like anxiety and depression that also benefit from therapy. With appropriate treatment and your support, your child's school and social life can improve.

Downers Grove Pediatrics is here when you're concerned about your child. Our team of pediatricians is dedicated to treating children and giving your child a positive experience. Contact us for an appointment in Bolingbrook, IL, at (630) 759-9230, and in Downers Grove at (630) 852-4551.

Is your child acting up? Here’s how a pediatrician can help.

Poor grades, fighting with others, lashing out at parents—If you find yourself dealing with these issues, no doubt you’re concerned about your child’s behaviors. Whether the teachers have complained or you’ve seen these issues in your household, it’s essential to address these concerns with your pediatrician.

Pediatricians and Behavioral Health

While a pediatrician is there to provide your child with medical care, which means that they are focused on physical health, that doesn’t mean they can’t recognize behavioral, mental or emotional issues. Since pediatricians often spend the most time with your children and have seen them grow up through the years, they are often the first to spot problems. That’s why you must have a long-standing pediatrician you know and trust.

When to Be Concerned

It’s natural for a child to be sad when they get sick or lose something important to them or a date with a friend gets postponed; however, if your child is dealing with recurring emotional and behavioral issues that are impacting their daily life, well-being and routine, then it may be time to speak with your pediatrician. Behavioral health concerns that may require a further evaluation with a pediatrician include,

• Anger and irritability
• Outbursts and temper tantrums
• Defying adults and acting out
• Harmful behavior, whether harming themselves or others
• Avoiding social interactions
• Trouble focusing and a drop in academic performance
• Changes in mood
• Sadness or hopelessness that lasts more than two weeks
• Thoughts of suicide
• Stealing, lying and other risky behaviors

How a Pediatrician Can Help

There are many factors a pediatrician will take into account when a child comes in for a behavioral health assessment. Certain factors include,

• Physical
• Environmental
• Social
• Mental
• Emotional
• Socioeconomic

Any changes to your child’s environment could impact their behavioral health, leading to these problematic behaviors and habits. It’s essential to take all aspects and factors into account so that we can provide the proper diagnosis and treatment plan to help manage behavioral issues. From learning disabilities and separation anxiety to autism and ADHD, a pediatrician can help your child cope with many behavioral health problems.

Yes, kids will be kids, but that doesn’t mean you should let recurring or problematic behaviors slide. If you are concerned about your child’s behavioral health, it’s time you turned to a pediatrician to discuss behavioral health options.

Get the facts on your child’s ideal diet and more.

We know how challenging it can be for kids to get all the nutrients they need from diet alone, especially if your child has food allergies, dietary restrictions or is simply a picky eater. We’ve compiled the top questions about childhood nutrition. If you have questions, your pediatrician can provide additional info and support.

When Can I Start To Introduce Solid Foods Into My Baby’s Diet?

You should begin to incorporate solid foods into your baby’s diet at around 6 months old. By 7-8 months, your child should be eating a lot more solid foods, from veggies and fruits to yogurt, protein and whole grains. Let your child sample one food at a time, which is also the best way to spot any food allergies. Talk with your pediatrician if your child develops a rash or other problems after consuming an allergenic food.

How Much Water Should My Child Consume?

It’s important for everyone to stay hydrated, and that includes children, too. A good rule of thumb is for your child to consume as many eight-ounce glasses of water as their age. For example, if your child is six years old they should consume six eight-ounce glasses of water. Of course, if your child is out in the sun or playing sports it’s important that they consume more water. Fruit juices and sodas are not considered a good alternative for ensuring your child gets enough fluids every day. Water is always the best and healthiest choice.

Is It Okay for My Child To Eat the Same Thing Every Day?

When it comes to your child’s diet it’s best to spice things up and add variety and rotation to daily meals. Sure, there may be some foods that your child just loves more than others, but it’s important that they are getting a good balance and mix of healthy fats, protein, fiber and complex carbs.

I’m Concerned About My Child’s Weight. Now What?

If you are worried about your child’s recent weight gain or that they aren’t eating enough, you should talk with your pediatrician about the best ways to help them manage their weight through proper diet and exercise. We can provide effective solutions and advice for how to tweak your child’s current diet to support their weight gain or loss needs.

These are baseline numbers that may fluctuate based on certain factors, so it’s important to speak with your child’s pediatrician to determine your child’s own dietary needs.