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