ADHD Overview

ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is defined as a neurobiological disorder. It is a life long condition characterised by developmentally inappropriate, pervasive (across different situations such as home and school) and persistent pattern of severe inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. It is four times more frequently found in boys than in girls and affects approximately 5% of the school going population. It is unusual to find a pure case of ADHD, it is in fact more frequently found in association with comorbidities such as: oppositional defiant disorder, fine and gross motor difficulties, learning and language problems, anxiety and depression. These will continue to persist into adulthood with different symptomology.

At home

• Demands attention frequently
• Frequently forgets demands
• Procrastinates, avoids or strongly protests doing tasks like homework
• Constantly looses or misplaces things
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Difficulties staying seated during mealtimes
• Can be sensitive to light and loud noises
• Difficulties with siblings and peers
• Easily gets frustrated
• Unplanned changes can be difficult and may be challenged

At school

• Poor short term memory
• May have gross and/or fine motor coordination problems
• Difficulties with processing in areas such as language, reading, spelling and calculations
• Difficulties in sustaining attention to a task they are not interested in
• Difficulties organising assignments, projects and homework
• Behavioural problems where they are frequently avoiding tasks, breaking rules, unable to take turns, argumentative and challenging authority

In a group

• Frequently oppose or challenge rules
• Lacks empathy
• Difficulties in making and keeping positive friendships
• Gets frustrated easily and has very low levels of tolerance
• Tends to be inflexible and has an inability to adapt to changes
• Unable to wait their turn in activities or games
• Impulsive behaviours
• Shows physical and verbal aggression