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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the most common behavioral disorder of childhood. Expert estimate that if affects between 3 and 5 percent of all school-age children, so it's quite likely you know a child who's been diagnosed as having ADHD. These children find it hard to sustain attention, and often display unusually high levels of activity and impulsive behavior. Some have suggested that ADHD is just normal childhood behavior, and many believe that it might be diagnosed too frequently these days. Most experts agree, though, that ADHD is real -- and that ADHD children usually have difficulties at home, at school, and with their peers. Without help, these children are likely to have academic, vocational, social, and psychiatric problems later in life. Recent research has linked ADHD to drug abuse. What are the symptoms of ADHD? Inattention. Children who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. They may give effortless, automatic attention to activities and things they enjoy. But focusing deliberate, conscious attention to organizing and completing a task or learning something new is difficult. Hyperactivity. Children who are hyperactive always seem to be in motion. They can't sit still. They may dash around or talk incessantly. Sitting still through a lesson can be an impossible task. Hyperactive teens and adults may feel intensely restless. They may be fidgety, or they may try to do several things at once, bouncing around from one activity to the next. Impulsivity. Children who are overly impulsive seem unable to curb their immediate reactions or think before they act. They may blurt out inappropriate comments, or run into the street without looking. Their impulsivity may make it hard for them to wait for things they want or to take their turn in games. They may grab a toy from another child or hit when they're upset. Everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, so clearly, they don't always indicate ADHD. Doctors look for behaviors that appear early in life, before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. In children, they must be more frequent or severe than in others the same age. Above all, the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. Someone whose work or friendships are not impaired by these behaviors would not be diagnosed with ADHD -- nor would a child who seems overly active at school but functions well elsewhere. At some point, many children with ADHD--mostly younger children and boys--experience other emotional disorders. About one-fourth feel anxious. They feel tremendous worry, tension, or uneasiness, even when there's nothing to fear. Because the feelings are scarier, stronger, and more frequent than normal fears, they can affect the child's thinking and behavior. Others experience depression. Depression goes beyond ordinary sadness -- people may feel so "down" that they feel hopeless and unable to deal with everyday tasks. Depression can disrupt sleep, appetite, and the ability to think. What causes ADHD? Nobody knows what causes ADHD, but scientists are finding more and more evidence that it does not stem from home environment, but from biological causes. The parents of an ADHD child should not waste time feeling guilty, but should move forward in finding ways to get the right help. How can I tell if my child has ADHD? Many parents see signs of an attention deficit in toddlers long before the child enters school. In many cases, though, the teacher is the first to recognize that a child is hyperactive or inattentive, and may consult with the school psychologist. Because teachers work with many children, they come to know how "average" children behave in learning situations that require attention and self control. Not all ADHD children are hyperactive, however. Teachers sometimes fail to notice the needs of children who are quiet and cooperative, but still have difficulty concentrating. This is especially true when class sizes are large. When parents and school personnel disagree on whether or not a child may have ADHD, the best person to consult is the family doctor or the child's pediatrician. A doctor who does not do ADHD evaluations will refer the family to an appropriate specialist. The most important thing to remember about ADHD is that it can be treated -- and that ADHD children can grow up to be happy and successful adults. For more complete information, we recommend Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a booklet from the National Institutes of Health. An exhaustive collection of web resources on ADHD is available from Attention Deficit Today. Top of page