Brighter Pathways ©  2009

1237 E. Livingston Street, Suite B

Orlando, FL 32803-5401

Ph: 407-895-0540 ~ Fax: (407) 228-9771

Licenses:  SS00305 ~ MH02676 ~ PCE-9

Individuals with AD/HD characteristics have difficulty across multiple settings including home, school and peer relationships.  AD/HD children usually do not do well at school or even fail, despite normal and above normal intelligence. They have difficulty sitting still and paying attention in class.  They often experience peer rejection and may engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors.  

 

Types

The current terminology “AD/HD” encompasses three categories:

• Inattentive Type
• Hyperactive-impulsive Type
• Combined Type

 

Symptoms

 

According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), three types of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder have been established in accordance with which symptoms are the strongest in the individual. The symptoms for each type are as follows:

 

1. Predominantly Inattentive Type: (These children are less disruptive and are often missed being correctly diagnosed.)

 

• Difficulty sustaining attention, organizing tasks or setting up tools needed for a task.
• Easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds
• Does not pay attention to detail or follow instructions carefully
• Fails to finish school assignments and chores
• Loses things and is forgetful
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
•  Lethargic or appears to be daydreaming.

 

2.  Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type:

 

• May often be “on the go”
• Restlessness, often fidgety with hands or feet, or squirming while seated
• Unable to stay seated or play quietly
• Smaller children may run, jump or climb about constantly
• Talks excessively when one should not
• Blurting out answers before questions are completed
• Trouble taking turns or waiting in line
• Interrupts or intrudes on others, grabs things from people

 

3.  Combined Inattentive/Hyperactivity Type: (This is the most common types, which includes symptoms of both the above types).

 

Inattentive symptoms:

• Difficulty keeping with one thing or getting bored with a task after only a few minutes
• Difficulty focusing
• Needs conscious, deliberate attention to organize and complete    routine tasks

Hyperactive symptoms:

• Intensely restless, touches everything, noisily taps a pencil
• Always seeming to be in motion
• Difficulty sitting still, dashes or roams around, talks incessantly

 

Impulsive symptoms:

• Unable to curb immediate reactions or think before acting
• Blurts out answers to questions or makes inappropriate comment
• Runs into the street without looking
•  Unable to wait or take turns in games
• Grabs from others or hits when upset

 

 

Adapted from an article in Psychology Today.

 

 

AD/HD:  

Types & Symptoms