Symptoms of ADHD in Children: Inattentive Type and Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

Does your child have trouble sitting still or paying attention? Is he or she impulsive and disruptive? Have you ever found yourself wondering whether this is normal behavior for a child their age or whether it might be a sign of ADHD? If so, this article on the symptoms of ADHD in children may contain the answers to your questions and help you understand the difference.

What is ADHD?

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that typically appears in early childhood and affects a child’s behavior, causing difficulties in their day-to-day life. Symptoms are categorized in one of three ways – predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or a combination of the two.

Taken individually, symptoms such as a short attention span or hyperactivity do not necessarily mean your child has ADHD. Nearly all children at one time or another do things that children with ADHD do, such as not pay attention, fidget, get distracted, have trouble waiting their turn, act impulsively, or run when told to walk.

But if they are also able to sit still, be focused, and control themselves at least part of the time, it is probably not an indicator of ADHD. Children with ADHD are not able to do that. For them, it’s not a sometimes thing.

Symptoms of ADHD in children

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) there are eighteen behaviors that can indicate that a child might have ADHD. Nine of these fall under the category of inattention, and the other nine under hyperactive-impulsive.

To be diagnosed with ADHD, children under 17 years of age must exhibit six or more symptoms in either category (five or more if they are 17 or older), have had them for at least six months, and several of the symptoms must have been present before the age of 12.

Additionally, the symptoms must be persistent and occur often; be inappropriate for the child’s developmental level; significantly impair his or her functioning in two or more settings, such as home and school, social situations, or other activities such as sports; and not be due to any other factors or conditions such as stressful life events or another mental, medical, or mood disorder that can cause similar symptoms as ADHD.

Predominantly inattentive type ADHD

The nine signs of predominantly inattentive type ADHD in children are:

• Not paying attention to detail and making careless mistakes.
• Having trouble staying focused on what they are doing.
• Daydreaming and appearing not to be listening when spoken to.
• Not following through on instructions or finishing projects, homework, or chores.
• Having trouble keeping track of things or being organized.
• Expressing a dislike for or avoiding anything that requires prolonged mental effort.
• Frequently misplacing or losing things they need such as eyeglasses, keys, books, pencils, or schoolwork.
• Forgetting to do things that are part of their daily routine.
• Being easily sidetracked or distracted.

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD

The nine signs of predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD in children are:

• Constant fidgeting, squirming in their seat, or tapping their hands or feet.
• Getting out of their chair and walking around when they are expected to remain seated.
• Running around, climbing on things, and/or jumping in situations where it is not appropriate.
• Being unable to sit still or play quietly.
• Constantly on the go as though they are driven by a motor.
• Talking nonstop.
• Blurting out answers before a question has been completed.
• Having trouble waiting their turn.
• Interrupting or butting into other people’s conversations or intruding in games and activities that they are not a part of.

If after reading this article on symptoms of ADHD in children you feel that your child is struggling with ADHD, the good news is that help is available. Your child’s pediatrician is a good place to start to rule out any other conditions that might be contributing to their symptoms.

You may then be referred to a trained mental health professional who specializes in the assessment and treatment of ADHD and can provide your child with the necessary support and training he or she needs to navigate life with ADHD.

If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors in Grapevine, Texas, please give us a call today at Grapevine Christian Counseling in Texas.