ADD, or attention deficit disorder, was renamed ADHD, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, in 1994, according to KidsHealth. ADHD is diagnosed in a child when he has exhibited six of the specific symptoms of the disorder for more than six months. These symptoms can all be grouped into three general groups: inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Understanding the symptoms that can appear in a 5- or 6-year-old child can help a parent understand if his child possibly has the disorder.
Inattentiveness
A kindergarten-aged child may exhibit symptoms of inattentiveness if she has ADHD. These symptoms could include having difficulty maintaining focus on a single task, having trouble listening to someone when she is being spoken to, being distracted easily while performing a task, being forgetful and becoming easily and quickly bored when performing a task. These children can also skip steps while performing a task. These children also have problems organizing and doing their schoolwork. It will take them more time to complete the tasks than other children as well.
Impulsivity
According to National Institute of Mental Health, children with symptoms of impulsivity may be impatient; can interrupt others while they are conversing with someone or while they are performing a task; and have difficulty waiting their turns for anything, including in games, food and to talk. They may also say inappropriate comments and express their emotions at inappropriate times without thinking about consequences. These children can become extremely moody and can overreact emotionally. This can also affect how other children treat them.
Hyperactivity
Children who exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity can talk constantly, always be in motion, have problems performing tasks or activities quietly, run around without stopping, have trouble sitting still and squirm while they are sitting. One symptom that shows up in a kindergarten-aged child with ADHD is that he taps his foot or shakes his leg while sitting down, because he has an inability to remain motionless while he is seated. A child may also drum his fingers on his leg, the table or any other object because of the trouble he has sitting still.
