Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Doctors have identified three types of ADHD:

• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation—An individual has problems organizing or finishing tasks, paying attention to details, following instructions or conversations, focusing, and remembering details of daily routines
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation—An individual fidgets and talks a lot; has trouble sitting still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework); constantly runs, jumps, or climbs; feels restless; and has trouble with impulsivity (e.g., may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, speak at inappropriate times, and/or have difficulties waiting their turn or listening to directions)
• Combined Presentation—Have symptoms of the above two types

Symptoms may change over time. Talk to your child’s doctor if you’re concerned about your child’s behavior.

Our Community Management Department can connect you with resources in your community. Call us at 813-392-5303 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Eastern time.

Current research shows possible causes and risk factors of ADHD may include:

• Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
• Brain injury
• Exposure to environmental (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age
• Genetics
• Low birth weight
• Premature delivery

Scientists do not believe that ADHD is caused by:

• Eating too much sugar
• Parenting
• Social and environmental factors (e.g., poverty or family chaos)
• Watching too much television

Most children, from time to time, have trouble focusing and behaving. Children with ADHD do not grow out of these behaviors, according to the CDC.

Children with ADHD may:

• Daydream a lot
• Forget or lose things a lot
• Have a hard time resisting temptation
• Have difficulty at school, at home, or with friends
• Have severe symptoms
• Have trouble taking turns
• Make careless mistakes
• Squirm or fidget
• Take unnecessary risks
• Talk too much

No one test can diagnose ADHD in a child. ADHD has much in common with symptoms of other health problems, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Learning disabilities
• Sleep problems

Diagnosing ADHD in a child can include:

• A checklist for rating ADHD symptoms
• A medical exam, including hearing and vision tests
• Taking a history of the child from parents, teachers, and sometimes the child

For preschool-aged children (4–5 years of age) with ADHD, the CDC recommends:

• Behavior therapy
• Training for parents and caregivers
• Medication, if all else fails

Good treatment plans include:

• Close monitoring
• Follow-ups with your child’s doctor
• Lifestyle changes

Each child is different. What works for one child, may not work for another child.

Managing ADHD symptoms is important. A child’s health and well-being can affect how severe symptoms are. Being healthy:

• Is important for all children
• Can especially be important for children with ADHD

Behavioral therapy and medication can help children manage ADHD symptoms, as can healthy behaviors, including:

• Healthy eating habits, such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources
• Participating in daily physical activity, opens new window
• Limiting the amount of daily screen time, opens new window from TVs, computers, phones, and other electronics
• Getting the recommended amount of sleep, opens new window each night

Your child’s doctor can talk to you about how to help manage ADHD symptoms.

ADHD also affects adults. Some adults have ADHD and do not know it. Symptoms can cause difficulty:

• At home
• At work
• With relationships

Symptoms:

• May look different for adults than for children (e.g., hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness)
• Can become more severe as the demands of adulthood increase

If you have concerns about your behavior, talk to your doctor.

National resource center on ADHD, opens new window

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), opens new window