Learn the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder

Is your child fidgety in a way that is normal for his age, or does he have an ADHD diagnosis that may require treatment, perhaps medication?

The first step is to look at how health care professionals define symptoms of ADHD in children. This is important, because societally we can use the term "ADHD" casually to refer to a huge spectrum of conditions.

(Similarly, we can use words like “addiction” or “depressed” in an everyday kind of way, or in a more clinically precise way.)

Try to stay calm when you read over the symptoms of attention deficit disorder below:

Probably, all of these ADHD symptoms apply to everybody at some time or another! So, after you look over the symptoms, we’ll discuss what really makes an ADHD diagnosis.

Symptoms of ADHD in Children, Relating to Inattention:

• Can’t sustain attention on tasks and get one job done



• Unusual difficulty paying attention to details



• Marked tendency to make careless mistakes



• Schoolwork that is unusually messy and careless



• Easily distracted by trivial things that most people ignore



• Excessive difficulty getting started on jobs



• Unusual disorganization



• Unusual forgetfulness – missing appointments, forgetting to bring things like lunch



• Noticeable shifts in conversation

• Fidgeting, squirming; frequently out of seat; running or climbing inappropriately



• Difficulty playing quietly



• Excessive talking

• General excessive impatience



• Doesn’t wait turn; blurts out answers; interrupts others



• Initiates conversations inappropriately



• Intrudes on others to the point of social problems



• Gets into dangerous situations without thinking through consequences (for example, climbing to a precarious place)

So, Does Your Child Really Have ADHD?

Obviously, everybody exhibits some of these symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder to some extent! So what makes an ADHD diagnosis? When do you know you need to get some help for your child?

Back to ADHD and your child.

Is he by and large successful?

Are his school grades OK?

Does he keep out of trouble at school?

Does he play well with friends?

Does he do the chores you expect of him at home?

If so, I don't think he has an ADHD diagnosis.

He may well have some challenges in focus, organization, or impulsive behavior, and there might be a lot you can do to help him, but what makes ADHD – remember the last D is for Disorder – is that the child (or adult) is rendered unsuccessful.

Here are Some Manifestations of ADHD That Would Indicate a Real Need to Address the Issue:

• Weak grades, especially grades that seem far lower than the child’s intelligence and academic interest



• Excessive discipline problems at school, especially in a child that is good natured and seems to want to do well



• Social problems, difficulties with friends related to interrupting, not following rules during games, not finishing games, wildness during sports, that sort of thing



• Worrisome dangerous behavior due to impulsivity

On the other hand, if you know your child has problems in paying attention, following directions, etc., but he has all A’s and B’s and no serious discipline problems or other issues, he might need some help with his challenges, but I would not say he has an ADHD diagnosis.

Again, the information I shared in this article is based on my own reading, my 20+ years as an educator, and my experiences with symptoms of ADHD in children in my schools.

As a responsible parent, you should consult your child's doctor if you have any concerns about ADHD symptoms in your child.

ADHD-related:
Learn more about the characteristics of attention deficit disorder.

Learn about accommodations for managing Inattentive ADHD in the classroom.

Learn about ADHD behavior modification and interventions that can help your child pay better attention in class.

Learn about Math Learning Disability (in kids with or without ADHD).

Improving Concentration Skills in kids:
Great ideas for improving concentration for elementary students

Great ideas for improving concentration for teens

More Links:
Go back to the Sensible Math Education home page.

Go back to the top of this page about the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder.

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