Adhd - Definition, Symptoms And Facts

Understanding ADHD - Definition is much easier to understand than you might think. ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and has been called by other names like ADD which stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. They are often used interchangeably by many people. What should be known first and foremost is that ADHD is not a learning disability. Its primary characteristics, which will almost always appear before the age of seven, are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.

Different symptoms will appear in different settings ... for instance, it's pretty simple to detect hyperactivity in school; however, if the child is daydreaming or not paying attention, it could go unnoticed. The inability to stay focuses usually shows up later than the impulsive or hyperativity.

This disorder is misdiagnosed many times or not even diagnosed at all. Passive, inattentive children are often mistaken for being unmotivated or uncaring about school, while a hyperactive or impulsive child might seem more like a troublemaker. At one time or another, most kids can appear impulsive, overactive or inattentive. In both of these cases, however, the children may have one of the three types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

It is when these symptoms begin to affect their relationships with other children, family members, and their teachers; when they cannot perform appropriately in the classroom and they cannot seem to complete homework or even understand assignments, that you should consider the possibility of ADHD. Diagnosing the disorder when this happens is not that easy to diagnose.

The ADHD definition includes three different classifications:

- ADHD Inattentives: children will appear inattentive, have problems focussing on details, have trouble remembering details and are distracted easily from projects and tasks.

- ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive Type - These kids are often fidgeters, talk nonstop, interrupt, cannot sit for long periods of time, will not wait until it is their turn…are usually impulsive and constantly on the go.

- ADHD Combined - All of the above.

Anecdotal evidence tends to show that boys are two to four times more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. At this time, it appears that between 3 and 5% of children in the US have ADHD to some extent. Adults have also been diagnosed with this disorder in the range of 2-4%. An adult that has never been diagnosed with and treated for ADHD may have difficulty in relationships with others, handling their own finances, running a home, organizing, and planning.

Your child's skills and abilities will fluctuate so don't expect uniformity. He might remember a complex game or computer sequence; however, some simpler things may prove difficult. In order to get better at handwriting, a child needs to sit still, which may be too hard for a child with this disorder to do.

Family, friends and teachers will need to be patient and understanding when dealing with the ADHD person. Treatment will most often involve a combination of behavior modification and medication. While the condition was considered to be controversial for many years, most healthcare providers are now accepting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity as a real disorder to be diagnosed and treated. Now that you have the ADHD definition and symptoms, it's good to remember that children without the disorder also exhibit these types of symptoms from point to point. Predominant, consistent exhibition of these symptoms in your youngster where it affects both home and school life, is when you should talk to your family doctor for more advice.