| A common misconception, when it comes to | | | | completing daily activities, and not be |
| Attention Deficit Disorder, is that it is one | | | | appropriate behavior for the age group of the |
| in the same with hyperactivity. However, this | | | | child. They must also occur for an extended |
| is far from the truth. While people with ADD | | | | period of time, at least six months and be |
| may exhibit signs of hyperactivity, it is not | | | | identifiable prior to the age of 7 and |
| an inherent trait of the disorder and often | | | | continue thereafter. |
| does not occur with sufferers of ADD. | | | | |
| | | | However, some children with ADD also have |
| Hyperactivity is a general term referring to | | | | hyperactivity, demonstrated as excessive |
| excessive and/or pathological activeness. | | | | fidgeting, running, and jumping at |
| This term is often used erroneously for an | | | | inappropriate times. They often seem to have |
| active person that does not meet the | | | | an inability to be still. If a child exhibits |
| excessive criteria. It is important to | | | | hyperactivity in addition to Attention |
| understand that all children are active to a | | | | Deficit Disorder, they are often termed |
| certain extent, and that some are even | | | | "ADHD": Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity |
| extremely active. However, this does not | | | | Disorder. While many people assume the term |
| necessarily constitute hyperactivity. A | | | | ADD is an antiquated version of ADHD, they |
| hyperactive person will seem to be driven to | | | | actually refer to two different types of |
| movement, making it almost impossible to sit | | | | disorders. |
| still. If sitting, they will often fidget or | | | | |
| talk excessively as a countermeasure. | | | | In all, there are typically three variations |
| Hyperactivity is often difficult to assess in | | | | of ADD or ADHD. These are (1) inattentive |
| adults; however, children are much easier to | | | | type, (2) hyperactive-impulsive type, and (3) |
| diagnose. | | | | combination. Obviously the inattentive type |
| | | | exhibits a difficulty in paying attention and |
| Attention Deficit Disorder, on the other | | | | completing activities, but is not |
| hand, is exhibited by inattentiveness, | | | | hyperactive. These children tend to be more |
| impulsiveness, and distractibility, but not | | | | difficult to diagnose. On the other hand, the |
| necessarily hyperactivity. A child that | | | | hyperactive-impulsive type is extremely |
| suffers from ADD may have difficulty | | | | active and has a difficulty controlling their |
| completing assignments, paying attention, and | | | | behavior. Of course, the third type is a |
| or waiting their turn. In order for any of | | | | combination of the two previous types and |
| these behaviors to constitute a disorder, | | | | displays inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and |
| they must be extreme, create difficulty in | | | | impulsiveness. |