Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are common in children. However, are also signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) and can lead to problems at home and school. They can also affect your child’s ability to learn and get along with others. Spotting the signs and symptoms, get help if you see them in your child.
Signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD
Thinking of attention deficit disorder, people picture an out-of-control kid in constant motion, bouncing off the walls and disrupting everyone around. However, some children with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive, while others sit quietly with their attention miles away. Putting too much focus on a task, some have trouble shifting it to something else. While some are only mildly inattentive, others are overly impulsive.
Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the three primary characteristics of ADD/ADHD. Depending on which characteristics predominate, the signs and symptoms are influenced.
Those children that only have inattentive symptoms of ADD/ADHD are often overlooked, since they’re not disruptive. These symptoms, however, have their own set of repercussions and problems that parents and teachers have to deal with.
Symptoms of inattention in children are as follows:
- Doesn’t pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- Has trouble staying focused; is easily distracted
- Appears not to listen when spoken to
- Has difficulty remembering things and following instructions
- Has trouble staying organized, planning ahead, and finishing projects
- Frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or other items
When they’re doing things they enjoy or hearing about topics they enjoy, children with ADD/ADHD can pay attention; however, they tune out when the task is repetitive or boring.
Another common problem is not paying enough attention and these children often bounce from task to task without completing any of them, or skip necessary steps in procedures. It is harder for them to organize their school work than it is for most children and trouble concentrating if there are things going on around them is also an issue – they usually need a calm, quiet environment in order to sustain attention.
Symptoms of hyperactivity in children:
- Constantly fidgets and squirms
- Often leaves his or her seat in situations where sitting quietly is expected
- Moves around constantly, often running or climbing inappropriately
- Talks excessively, has difficulty playing quietly
- Is always “on the go,” as if driven by a motor
As the name indicates, hyperactivity is the most obvious disorder and while many children are naturally quite active, ADD/ADHD kids are always moving.
Doing several things at once, these kids bounce around from one activity to the next and sitting still can be very difficult for them even when they are forced - their foot is tapping, their leg is shaking, or their fingers are drumming.
Symptoms of impulsivity in children:
- Blurts out answers without waiting to be called on hear the whole question
- Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
- Often interrupts others
- Intrudes on other people’s conversations or games
Children with ADD/ADHD are unable to keep powerful emotions in check and angry outbursts or temper tantrums result due to their impulsivity and lack of self-control. And, their lack of censorship results in them interrupting conversations, invading other people’s space, asking irrelevant questions in class, making tactless observations and asking overly personal questions. These children therefore also tend to be moody and emotional and others may therefore perceive them as weird, disrespectful and needy.