Children with Adhd Have Difficulties Paying Attention and Are More Impulsive
Introduction Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a common disorder that primarily affects children and adolescents. Approximately 2 to 16 percent of school aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD (Rader, Mccauley, Callen, 2009). Children with ADHD have difficulties paying attention and are more impulsive than other children. The behaviors exhibited by children with ADHD can make it difficult to function at school and at home. Treatment of ADHD can include medication, behavior modification, lifestyle changes, or therapy.
Signs and Symptoms Children with ADHD have a combination of inattentive behavior and hyperactive behavior (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). The symptoms are more evident when the child is participating in an activity that requires concentration (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). Some of the signs and symptoms include (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011):
Trouble sustaining focus during tasks
Seems not to listen when spoken to
Has problems organizing tasks
Avoids tasks that require mental concentration, like homework
Easily distracted
Forgetful
Has difficulty playing quietly
Always seems to be on the go
Talks excessively
Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
Interrupts others conversations or games
Runs or climbs excessively with it is inappropriate
While these are common symptoms of ADHD, the behaviors displayed can be different in boys and girls. Boys are more likely to be hyperactive, while girls have a tendency to be quietly inattentive (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). Boys who are inattentive often fidget and squirm while girls daydream (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). Boys behavior is often more obvious in the classroom than girls because they tend to be less compliant with teachers (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). ADHD often occurs with other conditions in children including: having a learning disability, oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), and anxiety and depression (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011).
Signs and Symptoms Children with ADHD have a combination of inattentive behavior and hyperactive behavior (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). The symptoms are more evident when the child is participating in an activity that requires concentration (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). Some of the signs and symptoms include (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011):
Trouble sustaining focus during tasks
Seems not to listen when spoken to
Has problems organizing tasks
Avoids tasks that require mental concentration, like homework
Easily distracted
Forgetful
Has difficulty playing quietly
Always seems to be on the go
Talks excessively
Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
Interrupts others conversations or games
Runs or climbs excessively with it is inappropriate
While these are common symptoms of ADHD, the behaviors displayed can be different in boys and girls. Boys are more likely to be hyperactive, while girls have a tendency to be quietly inattentive (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). Boys who are inattentive often fidget and squirm while girls daydream (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). Boys behavior is often more obvious in the classroom than girls because they tend to be less compliant with teachers (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011). ADHD often occurs with other conditions in children including: having a learning disability, oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), and anxiety and depression (Mayo Clinic staff, 2011).
References: Kottler, S. (200). A social worker’s guide to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: What is it? Who has it? And what should we do about it? . National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://www.naswma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=362 Mayo Clinic staff. (2011, February 10). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (adhd) in children. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275 The MTA Cooperative Group. (1999). A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56:1073-1086. Rader, R., Mccauley, L., & Callen, E. C. (April 15, 2009). Current strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. American Family Physician, 79, 8, 657-665. Rodriguez, D. (2009, September 23). Support for parents of ADHD kids. Livestrong. Retrieved July 20, 2011, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/24473-support-parents-adhd-kids/