Your child daydreams a lot at school and is easily distracted when he’s doing homework or chores. Maybe he fidgets constantly. You might wonder if he has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms. But they can learn strategies to be successful.

Types

1. Hyperactive/impulsive

This type occurs when a person has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity but not inattention.

Children with this form of ADHD have tons of energy and are constantly moving in a way that causes problems. It’s diagnosed if a child under age 16 has 6 or more hyperactive/impulse symptoms for at least 6 months (5 or more for older teens). This form is more noticeable than the inattentive type.

Symptoms include:

• Blurting out answers before a question is finished
• Constantly interrupting others
• Trouble waiting his turn
• Talks too much
• Fidgeting, tapping, and squirming
• Gets up when it’s not appropriate (such as when the teacher is talking or in the middle of dinner)
• Running or climbing in inappropriate situations
• Unable to play quietly

2. Inattentive

Inattentive ADHD is what’s usually meant when someone uses the term ADD. This means a person shows enough symptoms of inattention (or easy distractibility) but isn’t hyperactive or impulsive.

ADD is diagnosed if a child under age 16 has 6 or more symptoms of inattention (5 or more for older teens) for at least 6 consecutive months but no signs of hyperactivity/impulsivity.

The symptoms include:

• Trouble paying attention (easily side-tracked)
• Doesn’t like or avoids long mental tasks (such as homework)
• Trouble staying on task during school, at home, or even at play
• Disorganized and seems forgetful
• Doesn’t appear to listen when directly spoken to
• Doesn’t pay close attention to details
• Loses things often
• Makes careless mistakes
• Struggles to follow through with instructions

Children with this subtype of ADHD may go undiagnosed because the symptoms may be chalked up to daydreaming.

3. Combined

Combined ADHD is when a person has symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Causes

While the exact cause of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is not clear, research efforts continue. Factors that may be involved in the development of ADHD include:

Genetics. ADHD can run in families, and studies indicate that genes may play a role.
Environment. Certain environmental factors, such as lead exposure, may increase risk.
Development. Problems with the central nervous system at key moments in development may play a role.

Complications

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can make life difficult for children. Children with ADHD:

• Often struggle in the classroom, which can lead to academic failure and judgment by other children and adults
• Tend to have more accidents and injuries of all kinds than do children who don’t have ADHD
• Tend to have poor self-esteem
• Are more likely to have trouble interacting with and being accepted by peers and adults
• Are at increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse and other delinquent behavior.

Diagnosis

There’s no specific test for ADHD

Treatment

While treatment won’t cure ADHD, it can help a great deal with symptoms. Treatment typically involves medications, education, training and counselling. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome.

Currently, stimulant drugs (psychostimulants) are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. Stimulants appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These medications help improve the signs and symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity — sometimes effectively in a short period of time.