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- What is ADHD?
- Symptoms of ADHD
- Causes of ADHD
- Prevention of ADHD
- Risk factors for ADHD
- Complications of ADHD
- When to see a doctor about ADHD
- Diagnosis of ADHD
- Conventional treatment of ADHD
- Alternative/complementary treatment of ADHD
- Living with ADHD
- Caring for someone with ADHD
Symptoms for ADHD are divided into two areas, with some people having predominantly one type of symptom over the other and some have a combination of all symptoms. Symptoms of impulsiveness and hyperactivity often precede those of inattention.
Symptoms need to be present for over 6 months before this condition can be diagnosed, as many other conditions can can also have some of the same symptoms.
Inattention symptoms
- Disorganised
- Difficulty with tasks that require organising and planning
- Are easily distracted by any type of external stimuli
- Forgetting homework, papers, pens or other items at various places
- Has difficulty listening to and following instructions
- Losing or forgetting toys, pencils, paper or other items
- Not completing activities (or projects) and leaving them unfinished to go to the next one
- Making simple mistakes in any activity that requires concentration
- Unable to give close attention to details in any activity engaged in (school work or other activity)
Hyperactivity (or impulsiveness) symptoms
- Blurts out answers to questions before the question has even been finished
- Can't sit still and enjoy quiet activities, such as reading
- Constantly interrupts others
- Runs and climbs in situations that may be inappropriate or even dangerous
- Finds it difficult to stand in line or wait their turn
- "On the go" or constantly in motion
- Restless, fidgeting and squirming if in one place for too long
- Running and climbing
- Unable to sit quietly at the table with others
- Cannot stand waiting in line, waiting for their turn
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In addition to this, children with ADHD have other symptoms associated with this condition:
Hypersensitive senses
With exaggerated senses, children with ADHD are very sensitive and all their senses are far more heightened than other children:
- Hearing - this can be a major source of distraction, as they can become distracted by any noise from the task at hand
- Smell - strong smells can overwhelm a child with ADHD and cause distress
- Taste - artificial additives can cause a great deal of abnormal behaviour
- Touch - sensitivity to touch can show up as being really ticklish, unable to wear certain fibres and having an aversion to being hugged
- Vision - bright lights can make it difficult for children with ADHD to concentrate on reading and any other activities that require any level of concentration
- Emotions - children with ADHD are usually very sensitive to the emotions of others (especially the negative ones) and will often reflect those emotions in their own behaviour
Spatial awareness issues
Children with ADHD often have problems with coordination and balance and this is thought to be due to a faulty vestibular system.
High intelligence
Children with ADHD are often highly intelligent who need this intelligence to be brought out, by the use of appropriate teaching methods. Children with ADHD are very visual and tactile and these traits need to be utilised in order to inspire them and get their attention, because if they feel that they do not understand the activity they tend to get very frustrated and switch off, giving the inaccurate impression they are slow learners.
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