Flag as Not Acceptable?
We review flagged content and enforce our Terms of Use, in which content must never be:
- Profane or sexually explicit
- Disrespectful or abusive
- Infringing of copyright
Parentpedia
ADD and ADHD
What Experts Say
How do you tell if your child is just really, really rambunctious or if he has attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? (ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder [ADD].)
The only way to know for sure is to have him examined by a trained mental health professional such as a school psychologist, child psychologist, or psychiatrist. This professional will conduct a full psychological assessment.
That said, here are some symptoms that you can look for.
ADHD Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is generally thought to be caused by a genetic and/or neurobiological condition that's made worse by environmental factors such as exposure to drugs in utero or lead exposure.
Symptoms of ADHD fall into three categories:
- Inattention. Symptoms of inattention include difficulty sustaining attention, being easily distracted, and difficulty with organization.
- Hyperactivity. Symptoms of hyperactivity include fidgeting, difficulty playing quietly, and talking excessively.
- Impulsiveness. Symptoms of impulsiveness include difficulty waiting turns and interrupting others.
To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, a child must show some of these symptoms before age 7 and the symptoms must cause impairment in at least two settings, such as home and school.
ParentPedia contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of ParentPedia, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.
The contents of ParentPedia are intended for educational purposes only. Such contents are not intended to, and do not, constitute medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on information presented on ParentPedia is at your own risk.
Thank You!
Thank you for helping us maintain a friendly, high quality community at Family.com. This comment will be reviewed by a community moderator.
