Attention deficit disorder (ADD) was changed to the term attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 1994 to better reflect both major components of the disorder, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. ADHD affects millions of children in the United States, as reported by the Mayo Clinic and is often diagnosed by the age of 7. Because all children exhibit signs of hyperactivity or lack of attention at some point, the following symptoms should occur for more than six months and occur in more than one setting, such as both home and school.
Lack of Attention
The inability to pay attention for a length of time appropriate for the age is one of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD. There are many different signs of inattention, and each child may exhibit this symptom in a different way.
Those with ADHD often have difficulty focusing on one thing and become easily distracted and bored. This may be apparent in students' schoolwork, or for adults, their work, as they miss details of an assignment, forget things and often switch from one task to another. Another sign of inattention is not being able to follow directions. This could be due to an individual's inability to listen or to process the information given.
Girls and boys often exhibit their lack of attention in different ways. Girls are more likely to daydream while boys are apt to fidget or fiddle with things.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactive is a word that is used too much, often to describe normal energetic activity. Kids have more energy than adults, so just because they seem to be able to wear down their parents, this does not necessarily mean they have ADD/ADHD. It is when the hyperactivity interferes with school, work or relationships that it may be a sign of a problem.
Being in constant motion, such as not being able to sit still, is a sign of hyperactivity. This is often referred to as fidgeting or squirming. The more obvious indicator is the child who runs around touching everything he sees. Another sign is nonstop talking. Those with ADHD are not able to sit quietly and work on independent tasks for any length of time.
Impulsivity
Exhibiting impulsive behavior is associated with the hyperactivity component of ADHD. Impulsive behavior includes habitually interrupting conversations and blurting out comments. In addition, those with ADHD are impatient and have difficulty waiting their turn. In children especially, they often are not able to restrain their emotions and will act without thinking about the consequences of their actions.
