The primary features of ADHD include inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior. ADHD symptoms start before age 12, and in some children, they're noticeable as early as 3 years of age. ADHD symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and they may continue into adulthood. ADHD ADHD ADHD ADHD occurs more often in males than in females, and behaviors can be different in boys and girls. For example, boys may be more hyperactive and girls may tend to be quietly inattentive. ADHD There are three subtypes of ADHD: ADHD  Predominantly inattentive. The majority of symptoms fall under inattention. Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive. The majority of symptoms are hyperactive and impulsive. Combined. This is a mix of inattentive symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.  Inattention A child who shows a pattern of inattention may often:  Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores Have trouble organizing tasks and activities Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils Be easily distracted Forget to do some daily activities, such as forgetting to do chores  Hyperactivity and impulsivity A child who shows a pattern of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may often:  Fidget with or tap his or her hands or feet, or squirm in the seat Have difficulty staying seated in the classroom or in other situations Be on the go, in constant motion Run around or climb in situations when it's not appropriate Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly Talk too much Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn Interrupt or intrude on others' conversations, games or activities  Typical developmental behavior vs. ADHD Most healthy children are inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive at one time or another. It's typical for preschoolers to have short attention spans and be unable to stick with one activity for long. Even in older children and teenagers, attention span often depends on the level of interest. The same is true of hyperactivity. Young children are naturally energetic — they often are still full of energy long after they've worn their parents out. In addition, some children just naturally have a higher activity level than others do. Children should never be classified as having ADHD just because they're different from their friends or siblings. ADHD Children who have problems in school but get along well at home or with friends are likely struggling with something other than ADHD. The same is true of children who are hyperactive or inattentive at home, but whose schoolwork and friendships remain unaffected.
primary features adhd include inattention hyperactive-impulsive behavior  adhd symptoms start age 12  children  they're noticeable early 3 years age  adhd symptoms can mild  moderate severe  may continue adulthood  adhd adhd adhd adhd occurs males females  behaviors can boys girls  example  boys may hyperactive girls may tend quietly inattentive  adhd subtypes adhd: adhd  predominantly inattentive  majority symptoms fall inattention  predominantly hyperactive/impulsive  majority symptoms hyperactive impulsive  combined  mix inattentive symptoms hyperactive/impulsive symptoms   inattention child who shows pattern inattention may often:  fail pay close attention details careless mistakes schoolwork trouble staying focused tasks play listen  spoken directly difficulty following instructions fail finish schoolwork chores trouble organizing tasks activities avoid dislike tasks require focused mental effort  homework lose items needed tasks activities  example  toys  school assignments  pencils easily distracted forget daily activities  forgetting chores  hyperactivity impulsivity child who shows pattern hyperactive impulsive symptoms may often:  fidget tap hands feet  squirm seat difficulty staying seated classroom situations go  constant motion run climb situations it's trouble playing activity quietly talk blurt answers  interrupting questioner difficulty waiting turn interrupt intrude others' conversations  games activities  typical developmental behavior vs  adhd healthy children inattentive  hyperactive impulsive time another  it's typical preschoolers short attention spans unable stick activity long  older children teenagers  attention span depends level interest  true hyperactivity  young children naturally energetic — still full energy long they've worn parents out  addition  children just naturally higher activity level do  children classified adhd just they're friends siblings  adhd children who problems school well home friends likely struggling adhd  true children who hyperactive inattentive home  schoolwork friendships remain unaffected
adhd