Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), the most common behavioral disorder diagnosed among children, affects 3 to 5 percent of school age children, and is more common among boys than girls, according to Medline Plus. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), it is difficult to diagnose ADD in children younger than 4 or 5. Symptoms of ADD are mostly behavioral and include conduct that is developmentally inappropriate. Although symptoms of ADD consist of behaviors demonstrated by all children, the actions of children with ADD exceed what is typically observed. In addition, the symptoms are present in two or more settings, such as home and school, and interfere with a child's ability to function.
Inattention
Children with ADD experience difficulty paying attention to parents and teachers. They are unable to focus on tasks and are prone to careless mistakes. Schoolwork is usually messy and incomplete. Organizational skills are often lacking, and children with ADD tend to misplace or lose things regularly such as pens, pencils or books. These children have trouble following rules and are easily distracted. As a result, their conversations include numerous changes in topics. They also find it hard to listen when spoken to and frequently interrupt others.
Impulsivity
Children with ADD often cause disruptions in the classroom because they are unable to control their impulses. For instance, when a teacher poses a question to the class, children with ADD may blurt out the answer instead of raising their hands. Although this is true of children without ADD, children with ADD continue to blurt out answers even after being instructed by the teacher not to do so. This is because ADD makes it very hard for children to wait their turn. As a result, they may grab things from other children because they lack the ability to be patient. Children with ADD generally like to dominate conversations by talking excessively or always trying to get in the last word.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity may be experienced by some, but not all, children with ADD. When hyperactivity is present, the diagnosis changes to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Hyperactive children are constantly moving. They often fidget in class and get out of their seats without permission because it is difficult for them to sit still. During playtime, they are often overly loud and energetic. Children with ADHD generally run around outside during recess or after school and have trouble playing quietly in the classroom or at home.
References
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR); American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- Medline Plus - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
