Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The main characteristics of ADHD include a short attention span, being easily distracted, and impulsive. It is normal for all children to be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive sometimes, but for children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. As many as 5-12 % of children and adolescents (more often boys than girls) may suffer from this disorder. Children with ADHD often have difficulty with things like remembering what you’ve told them to do, finishing homework without jumping out of their chair, reacting without thinking first, and calling out in class. They seem to not listen to you, they get easily excited and it is difficult to calm them down. Even though we sometimes call this “hyperactivity,” moving around a lot is not the key symptom. Some children have great difficulty paying attention, but are very quiet about it, staring off into space.  Children with ADHD do not react the same way as other children to rewards.  Saying “good job,” might be enough to keep some kids on track, but the average child with ADHD may not even register that you have praised them. They tend to miss much of what is being told to them in class and, so, also fall behind in their schoolwork.  It is easy to mistake this behaviour for being too lazy or not smart enough to understand what is being taught, however, they are generally as bright as their peers.

Children who have symptoms of inattention may:

• Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
• Have difficulty focusing on one thing
• Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
• Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new
• Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
• Not seem to listen when spoken to
• Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
• Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
• Struggle to follow instructions.

Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may:

• Fidget and squirm in their seats
• Talk nonstop
• Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
• Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
• Be constantly in motion
• Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may:

• Be very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
• Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
• Often interrupt conversations or others’ activities.

Subtypes of ADHD

There are three subtypes of ADHD. Depending on his symptoms, a child may be diagnosed with:

• Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive presentation: mainly hyperactive or impulsive symptoms, few or no inattentive symptoms. This subtype is rare compared to the others.
• Predominantly Inattentive presentation: mainly inattentive symptoms, few or no hyperactive symptoms.
• Combined presentation: both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.

Treatment for ADHD often involves some combination of
i) helping children focus on the behaviours they need to produce by exchanging them for the rewards and privileges they want to work for;
ii) helping parents understand and put into practice techniques that have been found to work best with ADHD children;
iii) social skills training for the children;
iv) in-class strategies to help teachers structure activities so that these children can reach their potential; and
v) discussions with the pediatrician about the potential for medication to help the child with focus.

Adult ADHD

Over the past few years, research has revealed that ADHD often continues on into adulthood. Adults with ADHD may have difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, organizing tasks, or completing work within time limits. If these difficulties are not managed appropriately, they can cause associated behavioral, emotional, social, vocational, and academic problems.

If you suspect you, or your child, might be suffering from ADHD, the first step is a comprehensive psychological assessment to verify that the cause of the symptoms is, in fact ADHD, and not other difficulties that also include difficulties with attention (e.g. high stress, anxiety, depression, etc.).