- Does my child have ADD or ADHD?
- When should I consider consulting an expert?
Recognizing the signs of ADD / ADHD in your child’s behavior is highly important. It is the first step in a process which will improve your child’s future.
ADD and ADHD are highly controversial, and following some of the public debate about the existence or non existence of ADHD is amusing. For someone who discovered just recently, at the age of 46, that he has ADD (That’s me), and have to lead with two kids with ADHD, I have not doubt of its existence.
This article’s objective is to assist you, the parent, to have some kind of guidance whether or not further diagnosis is necessary.
Signs of ADD / ADHD – Quick Evaluation Guidelines
According to Dr. Hallowell, If your child’s behavior includes at least eight of the following, for a period greater than six months, consider professional evaluation:
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (in adolescents or adults) and may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness.
- Has difficulty remaining in seat when asked to do so.
- Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
- Often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed.
- Has difficulty following through on instructions from others.
- Often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another.
- Has difficulty playing quietly.
- Often talks excessively.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others.
- Often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him or her.
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home.
- Often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering possible consequences.
