It is common to hear the terms ADD and ADHD interchanged. While ADD stands for attention deficit disorder, and ADHD stands for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, Dr. Arthur Schoenstadt of eMedTV explains that ADD was renamed ADHD in 1994. Both are characterized by the same three sets of symptoms: inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Inattention
If your child suffers from inattention, you may notice he is easily distracted when performing his daily activities or chores. He may have a tendency to lose things on a regular basis, such as his homework, toys or pencils. Following instructions may be difficult as well; you may find yourself having to break a four-step process down into single steps for him to successfully to complete task.
In school, he may have a difficult time organizing his time or work, and appear as if he is not listening when being spoken to directly by his teacher. He may also avoid completing tasks that require too much concentration or thought on his part simply because it takes too much effort on his part, resulting in frustration. HelpGuide states that if the task is repetitive or boring, he may completely tune himself out, or jump back and forth from one task to another. In most situations, your child will require a quiet, calm environment to work in, as too much noise will distract him too easily.
Impulsivity
Signs of impulsivity basically means your child has no self-control. In school, she has a tendency to blurt out the answers to questions without waiting to be called on by the teacher. This goes hand in hand with not being able to wait her turn, whether it be in the classroom or during moments of play.
When talking with others, she may make comments about their appearance without tact; others may interpret comments as rude and hurtful, although this is not child's intentions. When others are having a conversation, she will interrupt, too impatient to wait before speaking.
Emotions are also difficult for her to control, and emotional outbursts are common. She may have a temper tantrum when she doesn't get her way, begin a fight with another child when she attempts to play out of turn or begin to cry for no apparent reason. Because of these uncontrolled emotions, she may be labeled weird, rude or disrespectful.
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is perhaps the most common sign associated with ADHD and is sometimes the hardest for parents to cope with. While in school, your child may have a hard time sitting still during story time or when he is expected to be working. When forced to sit in his seat, he will almost always find a way to move, whether that be by drumming his fingers or bouncing his leg. At home, meal time may be a hassle, as he attempts to eat on the go. Rather than sit in his designated spot, he will take a bite and run from the table.
Aside from meal times, he is always moving, running or jumping, even when these moments present a dangerous situation for him. These moments can include running across the road before checking for cars or climbing trees that are too high for him.
Talking is another problem, as he talks non-stop. He also speaks so fast at times that you have a difficult time understanding him.
