Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral and developmental disorder that may affect up to 10 percent of school-age children. Symptoms fall into three categories--inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity--and must occur in at least two settings (e.g. school and home). A child with the combined type of ADHD has symptoms of inattention and of hyperactivity-impulsivity for over six months. A child with predominantly inattentive type has mostly inattention-related symptoms; a child with predominantly hyperactivity-impulsivity type has mostly hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. These symptoms may affect the social, behavioral, emotional, and academic life of a child with ADHD.
Inattention
If at least six inattention-related symptoms are noticed by the child, parents, or teachers, and if symptoms last for more than six months, the child is meets the criteria for inattention. To meet official criteria for diagnosis, some symptoms must have been noticed before the child was 7 years old. A child with inattention symptoms may be one who is failing to pay attention to details--this may be seen as making careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities. He may have a hard time with tasks or play activities that require a sustained level of attention (for example, a multi-step art project). Other indications that symptoms of inattention are occuring include not listening when spoken to directly, becoming easily distracted, and being consistently forgetful. Parents may notice their child frequently losing toys, assignments, or books. Again, the emphasis on developmentally appropriate behavior is important--a preschooler who forgets where a stuffed animal was left is developmentally on-target; an 8-year-old who consistently loses schoolbooks is more concerning.
A child with symptoms of inattention will have difficulty with organizing tasks and activities and will avoid schoolwork, homework, or any task that needs concentration and sustained attention. Finally, parents or teachers may notice a consistent inability to finish chores around the house, tasks at work, or school work. Failure to follow through on instructions will also be observed. These behaviors are not happening because the child is being defiant or because he does not understand instructions--there is simply an inability to pay attention for long enough to complete the task at hand.
Hyperactivity
If at least six symptoms of hyperactivity and/or impulsivity are noticed by the child, parents, or teachers, and if symptoms last for more than six months, the child is meets the criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity. As with the inattention symptoms, To meet official criteria for diagnosis, some symptoms must have been noticed before the child was 7 years old. Also, symptoms must be significant enough that they are considered developmentally inappropriate and that they are causing significant difficulty in the child's life.
A child with hyperactivity symptoms will often be fidgety or squirm in her seat at school. At school, the child may frequently leave her seat. The hyperactive child will often run or climb excessively, though a teenager may simply feel restless all the time. Parents may observe that their child has a hard time with quiet activities or that she is constantly "on the move" and may act as though "driven by a motor." Finally, a child with hyperactive symptoms may be seen as a bit of a chatterbox, talking excessively on a regular basis.
Impulsivity
A child with impulsivity symptoms may frequently blurt out answers before questions have been completed, finds it difficult to wait his turn in games or other activities and consistently interrupts others, both in conversations and in game-playing situations.
References
- "CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Psychiatry"; Michael H. Ebert et. al.; 2008
- "UpToDate"; Denise Basow; 2010
