The estimated number of children aged 3–17 years ever diagnosed with ADHD, according to a national survey of parents,1 is 6 million (9.8%) using data from 2016-2019.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. A chronic condition includes attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
Many children with ADHD also have other disorders
- According to a national 2016 parent survey,1 6 in 10 children with ADHD had at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.
- About half of the children with ADHD had a behavior or conduct problem.
- About 3 in 10 children with ADHD had anxiety.
- Other conditions affecting children with ADHD: depression, autism spectrum disorder, and Tourette syndrome.
Types of ADHD
1. Inattentive Type
A person with this type must have at least six of these nine symptoms, and very few of the symptoms of the hyperactive-impulsive type:
- Not paying attention to detail
- Making careless mistakes
- Failing to pay attention and keep on task
- Not listening
2. Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
To have this type, a person has to have at least six of these nine symptoms, and very few of the symptoms of inattentive type:
- Fidgeting
Squirming - Getting up often when seated
- Running or climbing at inappropriate times
- Having trouble playing quietly
3. Combined Type
This is the most common type of ADHD. People with it have symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.
Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into 2 types of behavioural problems:
- inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
- hyperactivity and impulsiveness
- Many people with ADHD have problems that fall into both these categories, but this is not always the case.
- For example, around 2 to 3 in 10 people with the condition have problems with concentrating and focusing, but not with hyperactivity or impulsiveness.
Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
The main signs of inattentiveness are:
- having a short attention span and being easily
- distracted
making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
appearing forgetful or losing things - being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
constantly changing activity or task
having difficulty organizing tasks
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:
- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- constantly fidgeting
being unable to concentrate on tasks - excessive physical movement
- excessive talking
- being unable to wait their turn
- acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
- little or no sense of danger
Causes of ADHD
- Brain injury.
- Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age.
- Alcohol and tobacco use during
- pregnancy.
- Premature delivery.
- Low birth weight.
ADHD diagnosis
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentiveness or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must also have: been displaying symptoms continuously for at least 6 months. started to show symptoms before the age of 12.
A thorough ADHD diagnosis includes symptom tests and interviews, plus a medical history evaluation to rule out any other conditions.
- References:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/
- https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/types-of-adhd
