Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Early Childhood Education

Georgia CTAE Resource NetworkInstructional Resources Office

July 2009

Common Behaviors

• Being inattentive (for example, not seeming to listen when spoken to)

• Being overly active (hyperactive) or having weak impulse control (impulsive)

Some people with ADHD may be mainly inattentive or mainly hyperactive. Most people with ADHD show a combination of behaviors.

Conduct Disorder

• Bullying or threatening others

• Starting fights

• Purposely setting fires or destroying property in other ways

• Telling lies in order to get things or get out of doing things

• Stealing valuable items or stealing directly from a person

Oppositional Defiant Disorder• Loss of temper

• Refusing to follow rules of adults

• Purposely doing things to annoy others

• Negative, defiant, disobedient and hostile toward authority figures

Other Conditions

Anxiety disordersMood disorders, such as depressionLearning or communication disorders

(trouble with language or other skills, such as math)

What causes ADHD?

Researchers don’t know the exact cause(s) yet…

• Differences in the brain

• Genetics

• Other possible causes:

Problems during pregnancy or childbirth

Problems in the child’s environment, such as high lead levels

Diagnosing takes a complete evaluation…• A medical exam

A physical exam Lab tests Mental health screening tests (for conditions such as

depression)

• A personal and family medical history Rule out – or diagnose – other conditions that may be

causing symptoms Find out if any other family members may have ADHD

• Interviews and observations

• Rating scales

ADHD brings many challenges• At home

Relationships with family Cause stress and low self-esteem

• At school Low test scores and grades Trouble staying seated quietly, taking tests, writing or

studying Disorganization Trouble starting or finishing work Lose books and assignments Become bored easily

• In other settings Difficult to make or keep friends In later years, success at work may be affected