Signs and Symptoms of ADHD in Children

Every child has trouble paying attention or behaving now and then. Children with ADHD are different: they do not simply grow out of it. Their symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause problems at school, at home and with friends.

ADHD begins in childhood and can last into adulthood, although the signs may look different in adults.

Signs to look for

A child with ADHD might:

• daydream a lot;
• forget or lose things often;
• squirm or fidget;
• talk too much;
• make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks;
• find it hard to resist temptation;
• have trouble taking turns;
• have difficulty getting along with others.

Three presentations

ADHD shows up in three ways, depending on which kinds of symptoms a person has:

• Predominantly inattentive. Organizing or finishing a task, paying attention to details, and following instructions or conversations are hard. The person is easily distracted and forgets details of daily routines.
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive. The person fidgets and talks a lot, and finds it hard to sit still for long — through a meal or homework, for example. Younger children may run, jump or climb constantly. The person feels restless and acts on impulse: interrupting others, grabbing things from people, speaking at the wrong moment, and struggling to wait their turn or listen to directions. Impulsive people may have more accidents and injuries than others.
• Combined. Symptoms of both types are equally present.

Because symptoms can change over time, a person's presentation can change too.

When to see a provider

If you are worried that a child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a health care provider to find out whether the symptoms fit an ADHD diagnosis. A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, or a primary care provider, such as a pediatrician, can make the diagnosis.

There is no single test for ADHD. Diagnosis takes several steps, partly because many other problems — sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and some learning disabilities among them — can cause similar symptoms.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Symptoms of ADHD."