Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Defining ADHD

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose essential characteristic is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity.

This pattern of behavior significantly interferes with a person's normal functioning or development in different areas of their life.

Children with this disorder have great difficulty paying attention to tasks or behave in a way that is overly active and impulsive.

It is important to note that symptoms must be beyond what is considered normal for the person's developmental level in order to be diagnosed.

Often, this disorder appears before a child starts school, although a formal diagnosis may come much later in life.

The Inattention Component

The first group of symptoms relates to inattention, which is the child's great difficulty paying attention to tasks. tasks.

This manifests itself in failure to pay proper attention to details or in making careless mistakes on schoolwork.

They often appear not to listen when spoken to directly and have trouble following instructions and completing assignments.

They also often have difficulty organizing their tasks and activities and frequently lose necessary items, such as pencils or books.

They frequently avoid or are reluctant to participate in tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as homework or long reading.

The Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Component

The second group of symptoms refers to hyperactivity-impulsivity, which is behavior that is excessively active and without adequate control.

Hyperactivity manifests itself in constant twitching of the hands and feet, or an inability to remain seated when the situation calls for it.

Impulsivity is observed when the child responds before a question has been completed or has difficulty waiting their turn in conversations.

They often interrupt or intrude on others' conversations and play and seem to be driven by an internal engine that just won't stop.

The Different Presentations of the Disorder

ADHD can be diagno