| Everyone in a private practice setting who works with | | | | About half of those diagnosed with ADHD are |
| children or adults is going to have their own opinion on | | | | hyperactive. Since the word "hyperactive" is in the |
| how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD or | | | | name itself you might think that everyone with the |
| ADHD - should be diagnosed. Some clinics take the | | | | disorder must be hyperactive, but such is not the case. |
| perspective that "more is good," and will recommend a | | | | There are probably five or six types of ADHD, each |
| large battery of tests, often costing many thousands | | | | one different from the other in terms of brain function. |
| of dollars. Other clinics, typically with hurried physicians, | | | | You can learn more about the different types of |
| will simply give a brief rating scales to the parents and | | | | ADHD at the ADHD Information Library. |
| then make a quick diagnosis and prescribe treatment, | | | | |
| usually a medication. | | | | How do you know if your child or teen is hyperactive? |
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| Unfortunately neither of these extremes is in the | | | | He has happy hands and feet which fidget and squirm |
| patient's best interest. | | | | a lot. He just can't stay in his seat for very long when |
| | | | he's supposed to at school or the dinner table. He may |
| If you are the parent of a child or teenager who is | | | | run around too much, or climb on things he's not |
| struggling in school, and perhaps at life in general, you | | | | supposed to. He is often just too loud. He is "On the |
| should be familiar with what makes this disorder we | | | | go" as if he is "driven by a motor." He talks too much. |
| call Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | He leaves footprints across the ceiling. |
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| First, the symptom of inattention. The person has | | | | It is important to note that at least some of these |
| trouble with focusing on the right thing, long enough to | | | | symptoms must have been seen before the age of |
| get it done. A lot of people, including his parents, | | | | seven. Also, that at least some of the symptoms are |
| complain that he just doesn't seem to listen when | | | | seen both at home and at school. Also, that these |
| spoken to. Because of not sustaining attention, or | | | | behaviors are really a problem. Not just a little bit, but a |
| because of acting like a "space cadet," he doesn't | | | | lot. |
| finish his chores or homework. He can't keep his mind | | | | |
| on what he's doing for very long unless it is very | | | | Please be aware that there are several reasons why |
| exciting, or very entertaining, and he doesn't pay close | | | | a child could have these symptoms besides Attention |
| attention to what he's doing, so he makes a lot of | | | | Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. For example, thyroid |
| careless mistakes. Video games are an exception | | | | problems, depression, anxiety disorders, hearing |
| because they give immediate feedback, they are | | | | problems, and so on. Please do not attempt to |
| exciting, and they are fun. Chores and homework are | | | | "diagnose" your child. See your doctor, or go to a |
| not.The inattention is seen most with homework, | | | | qualified mental health professional. This web site is no |
| chores, and other boring things that you want him to | | | | substitute for talking with an expert. |
| do. | | | | |
| | | | Keep in mind that over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit |
| He's really disorganized. Most commonly this is seen in | | | | Hyperactivity Disorder is a big problem. There are |
| spending three hours to finally finish his homework, then | | | | some children who are diagnosed as having ADHD |
| losing it at school (it's in his backpack), or forgetting to | | | | that do not have it. It is not uncommon for someone |
| turn it in. He really tries to avoid doing homework or | | | | with depression, or anxiety, specific learning disabilities, |
| chores. He gets distracted easily, or pays attention to | | | | early onset bi-polar disorder, or Tourette's Syndrome, |
| the wrong thing at the wrong time. He is often forgetful | | | | to be diagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| and has to be reminded to do things often. | | | | Disorder. This is often the result of a diagnostic |
| | | | "work-up" which is too brief and does not take into |
| The great majority of people diagnosed with ADHD | | | | account the many reasons why a child might be |
| have problems with inattention. | | | | inattentive, impulsive, or over-active. |
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| The next classic symptom is poor impulse control, or a | | | | But over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| lack of self-control. Not all people with ADHD have this | | | | Disorder is not the only problem. |
| problem, but many do. He often blurts out answers in | | | | |
| class. He can't wait his turn when he is playing games | | | | Under-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
| or at school, and pushes ahead in lines. He interrupts | | | | Disorder is also a problem. This happens most often in |
| others a lot, he just doesn't wait well. He tends to do | | | | the school setting where the school psychologist |
| things without thinking about them first, and says things | | | | writes his report perfectly describing an individual with |
| he doesn't think about first. He does not consider the | | | | ADHD, then refuses to use the label "Attention Deficit |
| consequences of his actions. | | | | Hyperactivity Disorder" in his report anywhere. |
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