There are three main symptoms of ADHD:
- trouble paying attention (inattention)
- trouble staying still (hyperactivity or overactivity)
- trouble controlling impulses (impulsivity)
Children who have trouble paying attention may
- have a hard time staying focused on one thing
- become bored easily
- be distracted easily
- have difficulty organising and completing tasks
- lose or forget things often
- make frequent careless mistakes
Children who have trouble staying still may
- be always on the go
- squirm and fidget often
- run around or climb on things often
- talk too much and have difficulty playing quietly
Children who have trouble controlling their impulses may
- act before they think
- shout out inappropriate comments
- grab toys from other children
- often be unwilling to take turns
Girls with ADHD sometimes have different symptoms to boys. Girls often have more trouble paying attention, while boys may be more hyperactive. More boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD, although this may be because girls with inattentive behaviour are more likely to be overlooked at home or school.
As children grow older, their ADHD symptoms may change. For example, they may become less hyperactive but still have trouble paying attention and being organised.
All children show these behaviours from time to time. However, children with ADHD show them more often and more intensely.
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