Attention deficit disorder, or ADD ,is marked by several typical symptoms. Today, ADD is officially called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-inattentive type. While all children display signs of ADHD some of the time, a child with the disorder will display these qualities a majority of or all of the time. Parental interviews, interviews with the child, and psychological testing all play a part in making an official diagnosis of ADD, but you can review a checklist of symptoms to see if any fit your child.
Selective Attention
Attention deficit disorder may be characterized by extremes of both inattention and hyperfocus, according to AskDrSears.com. Inattention may appear as forgetfulness, daydreaming, and an inability to focus. He may make careless mistakes, be forgetful and disorganized or lose things. Teachers may say that she is bright, but not working up to her potential and she may avoid activities that require significant mental attention. The same child may be able to spend hours engrossed in chosen activities, whether something new or an activity she especially enjoys.
Distractibility
Children with attention deficit disorder are easily distracted by their own thoughts and by external sensory input, including lighting, noise, or other children. Many children with attention deficit disorder will jump from subject to subject in conversation, or will seem to not be listening. These distractions may throw the child off an assigned task or cause them to change activities frequently, suggests ADDitudeMag.com. Children with the inattentive type of ADHD do not get in trouble in school, but may not do well academically.
Impulsivity
While a child with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-inattentive type will not display significant hyperactivity, most children with ADHD have a combination of hyperactive and inattentive attention deficit disorder. While the inattentive child may not be hyperactive, she is apt to be impulsive. She may interrupt, blurting out answers in class or at home. He may find it difficult to wait his turn or be intrusive in play with other children. Impulsivity may make it harder for the child to see the consequences of his actions, according to ADHDStrategies.com.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is typically the trait which distinguishes the inattentive types of attention deficit disorder from the hyperactive ones. The hyperactive child is fidgety and constantly in motion. He may act out physically, bothering others in class or at home. She may talk constantly and be incapable of staying in her seat, according to ADDitudeMag.com. He likely avoids quiet play or leisure activities.
