Children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder show deficits in the areas of attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children can be diagnosed as ADHD, combined type; ADHD, predominately inattentive type, and ADHD, predominately hyperactive-impulsive type. The combined type involves equal amounts of all three symptoms, and the latter two involve the prominence of either inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity. According to the American Psychiatric Association, on average children with ADHD obtain less schooling than their peers. On average, they have IQs that are several points lower than peers. In addition, prevalence rates indicate boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls.
Inattention
Children with ADHD often have difficulty maintaining attention and focus. They make careless mistakes on school work and other activities because they have difficulties paying attention to instructions. Children displaying inattention may also appear as if they are not listening when someone is speaking to them. In addition, these children often avoid tasks that require sustained attention, lose items necessary for tasks and are frequently forgetful.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity symptoms in children with ADHD include frequent fidgeting and running and climbing during situations when this behavior is inappropriate. They may also talk excessively, appear as if they are always in motion and have difficulty remaining quiet while playing or engaging leisure activities.
Impulsivity
Children with ADHD may also appear impulsive. This can mean that they blurt out an answer before a question has been completed. They may also have difficult waiting for their turn and often interrupt others' conversations.
Social Problems
Though social deficits are not part of the three primary symptoms for the diagnosis of ADHD, children with ADHD often have problems in this area of functioning. According to research conducted by Russell Barkley, a prominent ADHD researcher, children with ADHD are far more likely to receive punishment from teachers, to be criticized by adults and peers and to be suspended or expelled from school. They also have fewer friends than other children and are less liked by classmates. These problems in social relationships are because of several factors. First, they are a direct result of these children's more talkative, active and impulsive nature. Secondly, according "Child Psychopathology," these deficits seem to be the result of difficulties understanding other people's perspectives and attending to social and emotional cues.
Academic Problems
Academic underperformance is a common problem in children with ADHD, who frequently receive lower scores on standardized academic tests than their peers. They are also more likely to have a learning disability. One reason for such problems is that the area of the brain thought to be impaired in children with ADHD is also involved in academic performance. This area is in the frontal lobe and is often referred to as the executive functioning system. These deficits in executive functioning include impairment in working memory, difficulties in regulating emotions and impairment in analyzing actions.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition"; American Psychiatric Assocation; 2000
- "Child Psychopathology, 2nd Edition"; Eric J. Mash and Russell A. Barkley; 2003
