As children in Iowa go back to classrooms, experts note that structured routines accentuate ADHD symptoms, prompting increased awareness and diagnosis among young students.
As children across Iowa return to classrooms, behaviours that can seem merely restless or forgetful may draw sharper attention. Local health experts say the school routine can make ADHD symptoms more visible because it adds structure, deadlines and social expectations that can be hard for some students to manage. The key distinction, they say, is whether those behaviours interfere with everyday life.
Molly Nikolas, an associate professor in the University of Iowa ADHD and Development Lab, told Local 5 that forgetfulness and losing belongings often become especially obvious during the school year. She said children with ADHD may repeatedly misplace coats, shoes and lunchboxes, or struggle with basic daily tasks such as brushing their teeth or putting on shoes. Dr Marty Francisco, a paediatrician with UnityPoint, said the disorder can be harder to spot in girls, who are more likely to appear inattentive than overtly hyperactive, while boys and younger children may be more visibly restless, fidgety or prone to running about.
The experts said some level of distraction, energy and impulsivity is normal in childhood, particularly among young children. But ADHD becomes a clinical concern when those traits consistently disrupt learning, behaviour or the ability to get through the day. The National Institute of Mental Health says ADHD is defined by persistent patterns of inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity that interfere with functioning, rather than by occasional bursts of energy or poor concentration.
Nikolas and Francisco also said ADHD can be mistaken for other conditions, including anxiety and autism, because restlessness, resistance to demands and difficulty focusing can overlap. They added that hyperactivity often changes with age: in older teenagers and young adults, it may look less like obvious movement and more like avoidance, frustration with long periods of sitting, or a preference for situations where they can control their environment. Treatment, they said, often combines therapy and medication, and schools can play an important role in support once a diagnosis is made. The CDC says 10% of Iowa children were diagnosed with ADHD in data covering 2020 to 2023, reflecting a broader rise in recognition as awareness and stigma have shifted.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
