According to Kidshealth.org, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a disorder that affects between 8 and 10 percent of school-age children. The disorder appears in boys three times more than it does in girls. For children ages five and six, there are specific symptoms that appear that can help a parent or psychologist determine if the child has ADHD.
Inattention
According to the National Institutes of Health website, there are three categories of symptoms that a child with ADHD may show: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with inattention symptoms have a tough time focusing on single tasks, become easily bored after working on a task for just a few minutes and are easily distracted. The child can also miss and forget details while being told instructions. These children can also daydream while performing a task or even while being spoken to. They cannot process information as easily as others and often have a hard time following instructions.
Hyperactivity
Some children exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity when they have ADHD, according to NIMH.NIH.gov. These children are always moving around, squirm while sitting and generally have trouble sitting still. They continuously talk, even after being asked or told to be quiet. They have trouble performing tasks because of an inability to stay in one place and focus. Children with symptoms of hyperactivity can also run around constantly, playing and touching whatever they can find.
Impulsivity
According to NIMH.NIH.gov, children with ADHD that exhibit symptoms of impulsivity are extremely impatient. They have trouble waiting for anything, including waiting for their turn in a game, waiting for something to be handed out and even waiting for story time to begin. They interrupt others' conversations or activities and also blurt out inappropriate comments. They often act without thinking, as impulsive people do. Lastly, a child showing symptoms of impulsivity will not restrain showing any emotion they have and will act without any concern of the consequences.
