Learn about Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects children in lots of different ways.

Some children are much more active than most children their own age. They are always "on the go" and can't sit still. If these children have ADHD, they are usually diagnosed quickly because their symptoms are obvious.

School can be a struggle for children with ADHD.

Other children pay less attention and do things without thinking more than most children their age. If these children have ADHD they may not be diagnosed for years. Parents and teachers may just think they are lazy or dreamy.

Three problems

Children with ADHD may have three basic problems:

They can't pay attention
They are hyperactive
They act on impulse.

Of course, all children are like this at times. But children with ADHD are much more likely to act like this than children of the same age, at home and at school.

Not paying attention

Children with ADHD find it difficult to keep their mind on one thing, and may get bored after only a few minutes.

Children who are inattentive often seem as if their mind is elsewhere.

Most children can sit happily in a room playing with a toy while the television is on, two adults talk and a car honks in the background. But a child with ADHD may find this impossible.

Source:
National Institute of Mental Health.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
National Institute of Health. 2003. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#cause (accessed 6 October 2008).

Each sight and sound competes for their attention, and it becomes impossible for these children to tell which is most important. Their attention drifts from one thing to another.
Because they can't concentrate, they get bored quickly. They are easily distracted and drift from one thing to the next.
All this can make life difficult for both the child and those close to them. The child gets into trouble because their schoolwork is messy, their room is scattered with toys and their things are often broken.
It can seem as if the child's mind is elsewhere. They don't listen when they're spoken to. Halfway through a sentence, they may forget what they were going to say.
A child with ADHD may also find it difficult to communicate and make friends. They will give up during games and sports that require them to listen and follow rules.
Children with ADHD will find anything that requires concentration almost painfully hard and will try to avoid it. Homework may be a struggle. Planning ahead is difficult.

It is important to realize that your child is not simply being dreamy, with his or her head in the clouds. Many inattentive children struggle very hard to concentrate and get things done.

Being hyperactive

Children with ADHD find it almost impossible to stay still. They will squirm in their seat, constantly fidget, wiggle their feet and get up all the time.

Source:
Finkel MF.
The diagnosis and treatment of the adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.
Neurologist. 1997; 3: 31-44.

Hyperactive children seem to have unlimited energy.

Hyperactive children never seem to run out of energy. They run around all the time and try to climb on furniture, trees, walls and even people. They chatter constantly and find it difficult to sit quietly. They may want to listen to a story, but rush off after just a few pages.
This kind of behavior is most noticeable in toddlers and preschool children.
By the time these children reach school age, they are not as hyperactive. But they still have a need to release pent-up energy. If they have to sit down at school, they might squirm or sit on the edge of their seat, fidget, tap their hands or shake their feet and legs. They tend to be noisy when they are supposed to be quiet.
As children get older, they will be less hyperactive. But even teenagers and young adults with ADHD get restless and find it difficult to stay still.

Acting on impulse

Children with ADHD often can't stop and think before they act.

Source:
Finkel MF.
The diagnosis and treatment of the adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.
Neurologist. 1997; 3: 31-44.

They might seem very impatient. They blurt things out, find it difficult to wait for their turn, and often interrupt conversations. Other people may complain that they can't get a word in edgewise.
Because of this, your child may have difficulty making friends. Other children might think he or she is just rude or embarrassing.
Your child may get in trouble with teachers. Children who are impulsive often talk when it's not their turn, don't listen and can't follow even simple instructions. They may grab things from other children, touch things they are not supposed to and clown around.
You will need to keep a careful eye on your impulsive child, because he or she may be accident-prone. A child with ADHD may knock things over or do dangerous things without thinking, such as running across the road.

Sources for the information on this page:

National Institute of Mental Health.Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.National Institute of Health. 2003. Available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#cause (accessed 6 October 2008).

Finkel MF.The diagnosis and treatment of the adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.Neurologist. 1997; 3: 31-44.

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

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