ADD, now commonly called attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a common childhood disorder characterized by varying degrees of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. To diagnose this disorder, doctors look for a number of outward signs or behaviors. These signs vary from person to person, and may appear in a wide variety of forms and combinations.
The Basics
ADHD has two main diagnostic categories: hyperactive-impulsivity and inattention, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although your child may have signs or symptoms that belong primarily to one of these two areas, in most cases children with ADHD have combined features of both categories. In the majority of cases, signs of ADHD manifest before a child’s 7th birthday, with signs arising in some individuals shortly after birth. Typically, your child will exhibit the clearest signs of ADHD during situations that demand strong mental focus.
Signs of Hyperactive-Impulsivity
The National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, lists potential signs of ADHD-related hyperactivity in children, which include constant body motion; nonstop talking; squirming or fidgeting while seated; playing or touching with various items in the local environment; and having problems with activities or tasks that require quiet. Your child may also have problems remaining still during ritualized activities such as story time in school or dinner. Potential signs of impulsivity include impatience; frequent interruption of conversations; difficulty waiting during turn-based activities; the voicing of inappropriate comments; and a general disregard for the consequences of disruptive actions.
Signs of Inattention
NIMH lists potential signs of ADHD-related inattention in children that include difficulty focusing during organized activities; difficulty learning new things or completing tasks; easy distraction or boredom; frequent losing of items needed for task completion; lack of responsiveness during conversations; and inability to retain conversational details. Your child may also exhibits additional signs, such as slow processing of information when compared to other children, rapid switching between different activities, slow movements, daydreaming and easy confusion.
Making a Diagnosis
Doctors do not base ADHD diagnoses on the presence of isolated signs or symptoms, NIMH notes. Additionally, no one single test can support an ADHD diagnosis. Rather, doctors look for collections of signs or symptoms. Before diagnosing predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD in your child, a doctor must note six or more signs of hyperactive or impulsive behavior, while simultaneously noting fewer than six signs of inattention. Before diagnosing predominantly inattentive ADHD, a doctor must note six or more signs of inattention, while simultaneously noting fewer than six signs of hyperactive-impulsivity. Before diagnosing combined hyperactive-impulsivity and inattention, your child’s doctor must note the simultaneous presence of six or more signs from each diagnostic category.
Considerations
Most children without ADHD exhibit behaviors that could fall into an ADHD category, the Mayo Clinic notes. In addition to looking for the clinical signs, your child’s doctor will look for non-ADHD-related causes to explain your child’s behavior before making a diagnosis. Potential causes include learning disabilities, psychiatric problems such as depression or anxiety and undiagnosed problems with vision or hearing. Your child’s doctor will also consider the length of time ADHD signs have been present, as well as their impact on your child’s quality of life.
