What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood.  It is estimated to affect 3 to 5 percent of school-age children and affects two to three times as many boys as girls.

SYMPTOMS OF ADHD 

Inattention 

• Inability to focus
• Makes careless mistakes
• Difficulty sustaining attention
• Easily distracted
• Does not seem to listen
• Disorganized
• Often loses things
• Forgetful

Hyperactivity 

• Fidgets
• Runs around or climbs excessively
• Often “on the go”
• Talks excessively
• Difficulty remaining seated
• Difficulty engaging in quiet activities

Impulsivity 

• Acts without thinking
• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• Difficulty waiting his/her

IS IT REALLY ADHD? 

To assess whether a child has ADHD, specialists consider several critical questions:

• Do these behaviors occur more often than in other children the same age?
• Did the behaviors appear before age 7?
• Do the behaviors significantly interfere with functioning in at least two settings (e.g., classroom, at home, in social settings)?
• Are the behaviors a continuous problem and not just a response to a temporary situation?
• Are the behaviors better described as a symptom of a different problem, such as a learning disability or emotional distress?