What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect a child’s success at school, as well as their relationships. The symptoms of ADHD vary and are sometimes difficult to recognize.
Any child may experience many of the individual symptoms of ADHD. So, to make a diagnosis, your child’s doctor will need to evaluate your child using several criteria.
ADHD is generally diagnosed in children by the time they’re teenagers, with the average age for moderate ADHD diagnosis being 7 years oldTrusted Source.
Older children exhibiting symptoms may have ADHD, but they’ve often exhibited rather elaborate symptoms early in life.
For information about ADHD symptoms in adults, this article can help.
Here are 14 common signs of ADHD in children:
1. Self-focused behavior
A common sign of ADHD is what looks like an inability to recognize other people’s needs and desires. This can lead to the next two signs:
interrupting
trouble waiting their turn
2. Interrupting
Self-focused behavior may cause a child with ADHD to interrupt others while they’re talking or butt into conversations or games they’re not part of.
3. Trouble waiting their turn
Kids with ADHD may have trouble waiting their turn during classroom activities or when playing games with other children.
4. Emotional turmoil
A child with ADHD may have trouble keeping their emotions in check. They may have outbursts of anger at inappropriate times.
Younger children may have temper tantrums.
5. Fidgeting
Children with ADHD often can’t sit still. They may try to get up and run around, fidget, or squirm in their chair when forced to sit.
6. Problems playing quietly
Fidgetiness can make it difficult for kids with ADHD to play quietly or engage calmly in leisure activities.
7. Unfinished tasks
A child with ADHD may show interest in lots of different things, but they may have problems finishing them. For example, they may start projects, chores, or homework, but move on to the next thing that catches their interest before finishing.
8. Lack of focus
A child with ADHD may have trouble paying attention — even when someone is speaking directly to them.
They’ll say they heard you, but they won’t be able to repeat back what you just said.
9. Avoidance of tasks needing extended mental effort
This same lack of focus can cause a child to avoid activities that require a sustained mental effort, such as paying attention in class or doing homework.
10. Mistakes
Children with ADHD may have trouble following instructions that require planning or executing a plan. This can then lead to careless mistakes — but it doesn’t indicate laziness or a lack of intelligence.
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