ADHD is a neurological disorder, mostly found in children, that makes a person have a harder time focusing and keeping control of their actions. Children with this disorder have a harder time doing things that seem simple to those who don't have it. ADHD is "One of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood"(CDC, 2017). While children without ADHD also have a few problems focusing and behaving, they will soon grow out of it. Kids with ADHD, on the other hand, will not grow out of it, and the symptoms of this disorder will linger into their adulthood. The severity of ADHD can range from almost nonexistent to very severe and effective to the daily life of the patient. Not everyone who has this disorder acts the same. This can make it difficult to diagnose sometimes. Some people have such a mild case that they are not diagnosed until they are adults.
There are 3 types of ADHD (CDC, 2017), and the symptoms differ greatly in each one. The 3 types are:
There are 3 types of ADHD (CDC, 2017), and the symptoms differ greatly in each one. The 3 types are:
- Predominantly Inattentive: Easily distracted, difficulty organizing and finishing tasks, difficulty paying attention to details, can't follow along with conversations or instructions
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: Cannot sit still for long periods of time, fidgeting, talking more than others, feeling of restlessness, very impulsive, interrupts others, speaks at wrong times, grabs things from people, impatience, may get injured/ cause accidents more often,
- Combined: Almost equal balance of both of the above types. The balance can change over time.