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?