ADD stands for attention deficit disorder, a behavioral disorder three times more common in boys than girls, and affects between 4 to 12 percent of school-aged children, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports on their website, HealthyChildren.org. The terms ADD and ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are often used interchangeably, although ADHD is more often used today. The term ADD is sometimes used to describe children whose symptoms are primarily those of inattention, HealthyChildren.org explains, with ADHD reserved for those whose behaviors are primarily that of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Inattention
Inattention, the main symptom of ADD, also occurs in ADHD. Inattentiveness without hyperactivity or impulsiveness is still sometimes classified as ADD. Inattentiveness can manifest itself in many ways, from daydreaming in class to difficulty completing tasks. Forgetfulness, distractions, difficulty organizing things and a tendency to avoid difficult tasks all indicate inattention. Children with ADD may make careless mistakes in school, may not seem to be listening when spoken to and often lose things or have difficulty keeping track of toys and school assignments, reports. Inattentiveness is the main symptom seen in girls with ADD, according to HealthyChildren.org.
Inattentiveness may occur because of short term memory problems, which make it difficult for children with ADD to hold a thought in their mind long enough to organize it, the University of Maryland Medical Center states. This also affects their ability to manage their time and complete tasks. Children with ADD may have trouble adapting to new routines or situations because of this problem as well.
Hyperactivity
Children with hyperactive symptoms often fidget, squirm, talk excessively, have trouble staying in their seats in class and have trouble playing quietly. Hyperactive children move constantly from one thing to another and frequently finger or touch everything they pass. These children are accident prone and injure themselves more frequently than other children.
Hyperactivity may be manifested only when a child becomes overloaded in stressful or busy situations and starts acting silly, erratically or strangely, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Examples of hyperactive behavior may include pulling things off shelves in a store or hitting people. Around 63 percent of children with ADD have trouble sleeping, the same source states.
Impulsivity
Symptoms of impulsivity include an inability to take turns, speaking without thinking, blurting out answers before questions are finished, and having difficulty controlling emotions. They may interrupt conversations and frequently act without thinking through the consequences. A child with ADD may have trouble controlling his temper and may lash out aggressively with hair pulling and biting when overstimulated, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.
