Childhood Symptoms

Primarily Inattentive

  • 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.
  • Is easily distracted.
  • Is forgetful in daily activities.

Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive

  • Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
  • Has difficulty remaining seated.
  • Runs about or climbs excessively.
  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
  • Acts as if driven by a motor.
  • Talks excessively.
  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
  • Difficulty waiting or taking turns.
  • Interrupts or intrudes upon others.

AD/HD combined type

  • Individual meets both sets of attention and hyperactive/impulsive criteria.

A number of disorders mimic ADD/ADHD symptoms or may accompany ADD/ADHD. Such disorders include Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (manic depression), lead poisoning, Hyperthyroidism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or Sleep Apnea/sleep deprivation.

Because everyone shows signs of these behaviors at one time or another, the guidelines for determining whether a person has ADHD are very specific and are covered in detail in the diagnosis section of this web site.