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Fact Sheet ADHD
Fact Sheet ADHD
WHAT IS
ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological condition that
presents as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-
impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.
COMMON Inattention
FEATURES
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
HOW COMMON
IS ADHD?
ADHD affects about 7.2% of school-age children
Symptoms continue into adulthood in more than 75% of cases
ADHD is more often diagnosed in boys than girls
COMMON
DIFFICULTIES
Difficulty attending to task
Being fidgety with hands or feet
Squirming in the seat or getting up when they should be seated
Slow to complete or rushing through tasks
Difficulty settling to begin a task
Missing details or making careless mistakes
Having trouble organising tasks and activities
Often losing things
Has trouble sticking to tasks or play activities
Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly
Failing to follow through with instructions that they are able to understand
and not finishing tasks that require a lot of thinking and concentrating (as
these are hard work and tiring)
Is easily distracted and forgetful in daily activities
Runs about excessively (more than most other children)
Has trouble playing quietly
Is continually ‘on the go’ and may talk ‘all the time'
Blurts out answers before the questions have been completed
Has difficulty awaiting their turn and interrupts conversation or games
CO-OCCURING
CONDITIONS
More than 2/3 of children with ADHD have at least one other co-existing
condition. Any disorder can co-exist with ADHD, but certain disorders
seem to occur more often.
WHO CAN
DIAGNOSE Educational psychologists
ADHD? Psychiatrists and pediatricians
Neurologists
ADHD
MANAGEMENT ADHD in children often requires a comprehensive approach to management
that includes the following:
ADHD &
SCHOOL
School success may require a variety of classroom accommodations and
behavioural interventions. Most children with ADHD can be taught in the
regular classroom with minor adjustments to the environment.
SOME TIPS
TO HELP Break tasks into smaller component tasks
Provide breaks during and between tasks
Provide explicit step by step instructions
Use simple concise language
Allow longer time frames in which to complete tasks
Have regular exercise and physical activity breaks throughout the day
Celebrate the small wins
UPSIDE OF
ADHD
People with ADHD can be:
Generous, Fair, Funny, Smart, Empathetic, Caring, Compassionate, Witty,
Spontaneous, Creative, Exciting, Persistent, Innovative, Tenacious, Warm-
hearted, Helpful, Ingenious, Accepting, Forgiving, Resilient, Intelligent