Signs of Attention Deficit

There are two types of attention disorder, plus a combined type. Age seven is the average age when children begin showing signs, although they can be much younger or older. Attention-deficit disorder, or ADD, is the predominantly inattentive type. When excessive hyperactivity is a large part of the problem, the condition is called attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type. Attention deficit can lead to problems at home, at school and socially. Children with the disorder often have a difficult time inhibiting spontaneous responses and maintaining attentiveness. It is important to recognize the signs of attention deficit to determine if your child needs help.

Basics

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV lists nine symptoms each for the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsivity types of Attention Deficit. The sufferer must have experienced at least six of the symptoms over a period of at least six months to be diagnosed with the disorder. A child with ADD may be able to sit quietly but their inattentiveness causes problems. All children can be occasionally impulsive, hyperactive or inattentive, but children with ADHD often are labeled as lazy, undisciplined troublemakers by people who don't understand the disorder. If a child displays a number of the signs associated with the disorder, it is important to have them evaluated.

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

• Although most children are active with bouts of hyperactivity, children with ADHD are unable to sit still for a given period of time because they are in constant motion. Children with ADHD constantly tap their foot; shake their leg or drum their fingers; have trouble remaining seated; blurt out answers before questions are completed; and talk, run around and climb excessively. Because they are always moving, they may attempt to complete multiple tasks at once, jumping from one activity to the next. Although the symptoms of hyperactivity may diminish with age, some linger into adulthood.

  Children who display signs of impulsivity typically act before thinking things through. This results in poor organization and jumping between tasks. They also display a lack of self-control or censorship, invade personal space, interrupt and ask overly personal, irrelevant or tactless questions. Signs of impulsivity also include moodiness and overreacting emotionally.

Inattention

• Children with ADD are often overlooked because they are not causing a disruption. However, these children have trouble in school, at home and with their peers due to their inability to follow directions. Signs of inattention include failing to finish tasks, seeming to not listen when spoken to directly, having difficulty organizing tasks and activities, avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort and having difficulty concentrating. Inattentive children may be able to concentrate on a subject they enjoy, but they lose all focus when they find a topic boring or repetitive. They bounce from task to task without completion, skipping necessary steps along the way. They often need a quiet place that's free from all distractions to pay attention.

Adult Attention Deficit

• Although the signs of adult attention deficit can be similar, they differ in that adults have more mature and developed coping mechanisms than children. Signs of adult attention deficit include impulsive spending, impulsive job changes, chronic lateness or rushing, difficultly sustaining relationships and procrastination. Adults also experience a continual internal sense of anxiety, trouble with organization, mood swings and feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks. Adults with the disorder tend to be argumentative and have exaggerated emotional responses.