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