ADHD

What is ADHD?

According to the National Resource Center on AD/HD, "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. AD/HD is a neurobiological disorder that affects 3 to 7 percent of school-age children."

Symptoms of AD/HD:

There are three primary subtypes of AD/HD:

Predominantly Inattentive Type (ADHD-I)
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI)
Combined Type (ADHD-C)

Symptoms of ADHD-I:

Doesn't pay attention when given directions, leading to decisions made based on partial information, incomplete or forgotten chores or schoolwork.
Unable to remember simple tasks such as a small number of items to get at the grocery store.
Difficulty with focused and sustained attention when involved in laborious or routine activities.
Tend to be "hyperfocused" when involved in high-interest activities.
Constantly scanning the environment, distracted by all things around him except what he needs to attend to at the time.
Difficulty engaging in free play for long periods of time and playing in organized sports.
May seem insensitive to pain, and when injured may not report it until much later.
Inattentive to their internal body states-leading to problems with bowel and bladder control.
Difficulty with organization, loses things.

Symptoms of ADHD-HI:

High activity that is disorganized and purposeless.
Excessive body movements ranging from restless, incessant fidgeting while seated, to frantic running around the room for no apparent reason.
Difficulty playing and engaging in leisure activities and is accident-prone.
Talks excessively or makes excessive noises during quiet time.
Constantly loud and noisy when playing.
Tendency to touch or grab things when he shouldn't.
Get bored easily
Not cautious
Easily distracted by outside noises and events.
Difficulty waiting one's turn
Blurting out before thinking
Interrupting or intruding on others' time and space
Comes across as demanding and inflexible, appearing selfish.
Difficulty keeping playmates because of his impulsive behavior.
"Driven by the moment"
Noncompliant and oppositional

Symptoms of ADHD-C:

Individual meets both sets of inattention and hyperactive/impulsive criteria.

DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Either (1) or (2):
1. inattention: six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
  1. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
  2. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
  3. often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
  4. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
  5. often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  6. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
  7. often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
  8. is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
  9. is often forgetful in daily activities
2. hyperactivity-impulsivity: six (or more) of the following: Reference symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:
  Hyperactivity:
  1. often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
  2. often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
  3. often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
  4. often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
  5. is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
  6. often talks excessively
  Impulsivity
  1. often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
  2. often has difficulty awaiting turn
  3. often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games
Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused impairment were present before age 7 years.
Come impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g., at school [or work] and at home).
There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
The sypmtoms do not occur exclusively during the course of Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorders, or a Personality Disorder).

The information on this page was taken from the following sources:

National Resource Center on ADHD- (www.help4adhd.org)- ADHD Fact Sheet PDF

ADHD: A Survival Guide for Parents and Teachers by Richard A Lougy, MFT and David K Rosenthal, MD

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