Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD affects about 2% of boys and a much smaller percentage of girls. Although this disorder is generally not diagnosed until the age of nine, symptoms typically begin before the child goes to school (Morrison, 1995). Although the behaviors associated with ADHD (listed below) usually decrease during adolescence, this disorder affects many individuals into and throughout adulthood (Kaplan & Sadock, 1996).
General characteristics of ADHD include:
For inattention--Individual often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in work, schoolwork, or other activities, often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks and activities, often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities, often does not follow through on instructions and fails to complete duties, chores, work, schoolwork, often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, often loses things that are necessary for tasks or activities, often is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli, is often forgetful in daily activities.
For hyperactivity-impulsivity--Individual often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat, often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly, is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor," often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents and adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness), often leaves classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected, often blurts out answers before questions have been completed, often has difficulty waiting for his/her turn, often talks excessively, often interrupts or intrudes on others (Kaplan & Sadock, 1996).
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