What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to manage their attention, activity, and impulses. It is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood, affecting 6 to 12% of school-aged children. ADHD is 3 times more common in males than females. However, females may be harder to diagnose as they are more likely to have symptoms that go unnoticed.
ADHD often runs in families, and children with ADHD have lower levels of dopamine in the parts of their brain that control attention and activity level. Preterm birth and prenatal substance exposure (ex. nicotine and alcohol) can increase the risk of ADHD.
Children with ADHD have symptoms that fall into 3 groups:
- Inattention
- Often has a hard time paying attention; daydreams
- Often does not seem to listen
- Easily distracted from work or play
- Often does not seem to notice details and may make careless mistakes
- Frequently does not follow through on instructions or finish tasks
- Is disorganized
- Frequently loses a lot of important things
- Often forgets things
- Frequently avoids doing things that require ongoing mental effort
- Hyperactivity
- Is in constant motion, as if “driven by a motor”
- Has trouble staying seated
- Frequently squirms and fidgets
- Talks a lot
- Often runs, jumps, and climbs when this behavior is not permitted
- Has trouble playing quietly
- Impulsivity
- Frequently acts and speaks without thinking
- May run into the street without looking for traffic first
- Frequently has trouble taking turns
- Cannot wait for things
- Often calls out an answer before the question is complete
- Frequently interrupts others
ADHD is categorized into 3 subtypes:
- Inattentive (formerly known as ADD)
- Hyperactive/Impulsive
- Combined Type (Inattentive + Hyperactive/Impulsive)
Diagnosis of ADHD
There is no single test for ADHD. Diagnosis requires several steps and involves gathering of information from multiple sources. You, your child, your child’s school, and other caregivers should be involved. It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than 5 years old. Here are some general guidelines used in the diagnosis of ADHD:
- Symptoms occur in 2 or more settings (home, school, and social situations)
- Six or more symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity must be present
- Symptoms significantly impair your child’s ability to function in some daily activities. Examples include schoolwork; maintaining relationships with parents, siblings and friends; and ability to function in groups such as sports teams.
Your child’s physician will likely refer you to a specialist for full neuropsychological testing. This includes testing for ADHD, intellectual disability, learning disability, and mood or other behavioral disorders (such as anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder). The clinician obtaining this testing will likely ask the child’s family/caregiver(s), teachers, and coaches to fill out surveys to obtain as much information as possible.
There are no laboratory or blood tests that have been proven effective in aiding the diagnosis of ADHD.
Visit healthychildren.org for more information.
Disclaimer: This information has been adapted from information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
AAP Feed run on: 9/4/2024 Article information last modified on: 9/4/2024
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to manage their attention, activity, and impulses. It is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood, affecting 6 to 12% of school-aged children. ADHD is 3 times more common in males than females. However, females may be harder to diagnose as they are more likely to have symptoms that go unnoticed.
ADHD often runs in families, and children with ADHD have lower levels of dopamine in the parts of their brain that control attention and activity level. Preterm birth and prenatal substance exposure (ex. nicotine and alcohol) can increase the risk of ADHD.
Children with ADHD have symptoms that fall into 3 groups:
- Inattention
- Often has a hard time paying attention; daydreams
- Often does not seem to listen
- Easily distracted from work or play
- Often does not seem to notice details and may make careless mistakes
- Frequently does not follow through on instructions or finish tasks
- Is disorganized
- Frequently loses a lot of important things
- Often forgets things
- Frequently avoids doing things that require ongoing mental effort
- Hyperactivity
- Is in constant motion, as if “driven by a motor”
- Has trouble staying seated
- Frequently squirms and fidgets
- Talks a lot
- Often runs, jumps, and climbs when this behavior is not permitted
- Has trouble playing quietly
- Impulsivity
- Frequently acts and speaks without thinking
- May run into the street without looking for traffic first
- Frequently has trouble taking turns
- Cannot wait for things
- Often calls out an answer before the question is complete
- Frequently interrupts others
ADHD is categorized into 3 subtypes:
- Inattentive (formerly known as ADD)
- Hyperactive/Impulsive
- Combined Type (Inattentive + Hyperactive/Impulsive)
Diagnosis of ADHD
There is no single test for ADHD. Diagnosis requires several steps and involves gathering of information from multiple sources. You, your child, your child’s school, and other caregivers should be involved. It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than 5 years old. Here are some general guidelines used in the diagnosis of ADHD:
- Symptoms occur in 2 or more settings (home, school, and social situations)
- Six or more symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity must be present
- Symptoms significantly impair your child’s ability to function in some daily activities. Examples include schoolwork; maintaining relationships with parents, siblings and friends; and ability to function in groups such as sports teams.
Your child’s physician will likely refer you to a specialist for full neuropsychological testing. This includes testing for ADHD, intellectual disability, learning disability, and mood or other behavioral disorders (such as anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder). The clinician obtaining this testing will likely ask the child’s family/caregiver(s), teachers, and coaches to fill out surveys to obtain as much information as possible.
There are no laboratory or blood tests that have been proven effective in aiding the diagnosis of ADHD.
Visit healthychildren.org for more information.
Disclaimer: This information has been adapted from information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
AAP Feed run on: 9/4/2024 Article information last modified on: 9/4/2024
