ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that is more common in boys than girls. 3-5% of all school age children have ADHD. Such children may seem less mature and responsible than their peers. They tend to be `on the go’ most of the time and often remain restless and fidgety into adulthood.
Signs of ADHD usually emerge before the age of 7 and often persist into adulthood, posing lifelong challenges. Children with ADHD often have co-occurring problems such as school failure, problems with relationships, speech and language difficulties and various other social, emotional and behavioral disorders.
Signs of ADHD:
ADHD predominantly inattentive type:
- Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- Has difficulty sustaining attention
- Does not appear to listen
- Struggles to follow through on instructions
- Has difficulty with organization
- Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Loses things
- Is easily distracted
- Is forgetful in daily activities
ADHD predominantly hyperactive type:
- Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair
- Has difficulty remaining seated
- Runs about or climbs excessively
- Has difficulty engaging in activities quietly
- Acts as if `driven by a motor’
- Talks excessively
ADHD predominantly impulsive type:
- Blurts out answers before questions have been asked
- Difficulty waiting or taking turns
- Interrupts or intrudes upon others
