Although all individuals are restless and inattentive occasionally, these qualities are more severe, persistent, and impairing in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, these behaviors must cause difficulty in multiple areas such as at home, in school, or with friends. ADHD is more prevalent in boys than girls. Children with ADHD have problems in the following symptom areas:
- Inattention—difficulty sustaining attention, listening, and attending to detail; easily distracted and forgetful; poor organization and study skills.
- Impulsivity—tendency to blurt out answers, interrupt, or intrude on conversations; difficulty being patient or waiting one's turn in school and in play situations; tendency to get in trouble for acting without thinking.
- Hyperactivity—being in constant motion; fidgeting, squirming, running, climbing, or talking excessively.
- There are three subtypes of ADHD:
- Combined Type. This is the most common subtype and involves inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive symptoms.
- Predominantly Inattentive Type. These children often lose things, forget their homework, daydream, and have trouble managing their time, planning, and organizing their things.
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. This is the least common type and is characterized by restlessness and fidgetiness, but few or no problems with attention or concentration.
Cause: ADHD is thought to result from developmental and genetic factors affecting biochemical and metabolic functions
Treatment: Stimulant medication is the primary effective treatment. Behavioral treatments such as Behavioral Parent Training [link to ADHD service and target this subheading] are useful for children who exhibit problematic behaviors in home, school, or peer settings.
