What are the symptoms of ADHD in children?
ADHD’s principal characteristics are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children may exhibit one or all of these three behavioral subtypes of ADHD: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (without significant inattention); predominantly inattentive type (without significant hyperactive-impulsive behavior) sometimes called ADD—an outdated term formerly used for the entire disorder; and combined type (that displays both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms).
ADHD symptoms appear over many months, often with impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding those of inattention. Different symptoms may appear in different settings, depending on the demands the situation poses for the child's self-control.
It is normal for all children to be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive sometimes, but for children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age.
Children who have symptoms of inattention may:
- Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
- Have difficulty focusing on one thing
- Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
- Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
- Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
- Not seem to listen when spoken to
- Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
- Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
- Struggle to follow instructions.
Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may:
- Fidget and squirm in their seats
- Talk nonstop
- Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
- Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
- Be constantly in motion
- Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.
Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may:
- Be very impatient
- Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
- Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
- Often interrupt conversations or others’ activities.
Symptoms of Hyperactivity- -Impulsive Type:
- Restlessness, 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
- Difficulty waiting in line or taking turns
Symptoms of Inattention Type:
- Ignores details; makes careless mistakes
- Has trouble sustaining attention in work or play
- Does not seem to listen when directly addressed
- Does not follow through on instructions; fails to finish
Symptoms of Combined Type( (most childreen and adolescents s with ADHD have this type):
- Demonstrates symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity (six or more symptoms of both)
- Has symptoms that have persisted for at least six months
- Difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Avoids activities requiring sustained mental effort
- Loses needed items
- Forgetful of daily activities
