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The Symptoms of ADD in a Five Year Old Boy

Children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder generally meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV criteria for impulsiveness, hyperactivity and/or inattention. These behaviors can be caused by brain defects, "giftedness" or a number of other factors. According to Tess Thompson, a writer for Native Remedies, 2 to 5 percent of children in the United States have ADD. Children with ADD demonstrate six or more of the following symptoms.

  1. Careless Behavior

    • Your child does not pay attention to details and makes frequent careless mistakes in school and play.

    Short Attention Span

    • Your child cannot maintain his attention on tasks or activities.

    Issues with Listening

    • Your child does not appear to be listening when you are talking to her directly.

    Lack of Follow-Through

    • Your child lacks follow-through when given instructions and does not complete his school work or chores.

    Unorganized Behavior

    • You child has poor organization skills.

    Issues with Sustained Mental Effort

    • Your child does not like, or is reluctant, to engage in activities that require sustained mental effort.

    Frequently Loses Things

    • Your child frequently loses things he needs or wants.

    Easily Distracted

    • Your child is easily distracted by external factors.

    Forgetful

    • Your child demonstrates forgetfulness in her daily life.

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