Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms
The principal characteristics of
ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These
symptoms appear early in a child's life.
Because many normal children may have
these symptoms, but at a low level, or the symptoms may be caused by
another disorder, it is important that the child receive a thorough
examination and appropriate diagnosis by a well-qualified
professional.
Symptoms of ADHD will appear over the course of many months,
often with the symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding
those of inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. |
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Different ADHD symptoms may
appear in different settings, depending on the demands the situation
may pose for the child's self-control. A child who "can't sit still"
or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the
inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked.
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The impulsive child who acts before
thinking may be considered just a "discipline problem," while the
child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as merely unmotivated.
Yet both may have different types of ADHD. All children are
sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking, sometimes daydream
the time away. When the child's hyperactivity, distractibility, poor
concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school,
social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD
may be suspected. But because the symptoms vary so much across
settings, ADHD is not easy to diagnose. This is especially true when
inattentiveness is the primary symptom.
According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders2 (DSM-IV-TR), there are three patterns of
behavior that indicate ADHD. People with ADHD may show several signs
of being consistently inattentive. They may have a pattern of being
hyperactive and impulsive far more than others of their age. Or they
may show all three types of behavior. This means that there are three
subtypes of ADHD recognized by professionals. These are the
predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (that does not show
significant inattention); the predominantly inattentive type (that
does not show significant hyperactive-impulsive behavior) sometimes
called ADD—an outdated term for this entire disorder; and the combined
type (that displays both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive
symptoms).
Cheap AirfairesHyperactivity-Impulsivity
Hyperactive children always seem to be "on the go" or constantly in
motion. They dash around touching or playing with whatever is in
sight, or talk incessantly. Sitting still at dinner or during a school
lesson or story can be a difficult task. They squirm and fidget in
their seats or roam around the room. Or they may wiggle their feet,
touch everything, or noisily tap their pencil. Hyperactive teenagers
or adults may feel internally restless. They often report needing to
stay busy and may try to do several things at once.
Impulsive children seem unable
to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. They will
often blurt out inappropriate comments, display their emotions without
restraint, and act without regard for the later consequences of their
conduct. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for
things they want or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy
from another child or hit when they're upset. Even as teenagers or
adults, they may impulsively choose to do things that have an
immediate but small payoff rather than engage in activities that may
take more effort yet provide much greater but delayed rewards.
Some signs of hyperactivity-impulsivity are:
- Feeling restless, often
fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming while seated
- Running, climbing, or leaving
a seat in situations where sitting or quiet behavior is expected
- Blurting out answers before
hearing the whole question
- Having difficulty waiting in
line or taking turns.
Inattention
Children who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their minds
on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few
minutes. If they are doing something they really enjoy, they have no
trouble paying attention. But focusing deliberate, conscious attention
to organizing and completing a task or learning something new is
difficult.
Homework is particularly hard for these children. They will forget to
write down an assignment, or leave it at school. They will forget to
bring a book home, or bring the wrong one. The homework, if finally
finished, is full of errors and erasures. Homework is often
accompanied by frustration for both parent and child.
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