| Are you the parent of a young child who seems | | | | 8. Losing things necessary for tasks or activities. |
| to be perpetually moving? Does your child have | | | | 9. Difficulty in listening to others without being |
| difficulty attending to tasks? Have you been told | | | | distracted or interruption; |
| by family and friends that your child's behavior is | | | | A child can have ADD which is Attention Deficit |
| not normal. Are you concerned that your child | | | | Disorder without the hyperactivity. Those children |
| may have ADHD? This article will discuss 9 | | | | would have symptoms of inattention and |
| symptoms of ADHD, and also give information | | | | impulsivity but no symptoms of hyperactivity. |
| about a rating scale that can be used to help | | | | If your young child has several of these |
| determine if your child has the disorder. | | | | symptoms over several months, you should bring |
| ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | up the possibility of ADHD with your child's |
| Disorder. This disorder has 3 core symptoms | | | | physician. A rating scale is available to help |
| which are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. | | | | determine if a child has ADHD; the scale is called |
| There are an estimated 1 and ½ to 2 and | | | | the Connors -3: Connors Third Edition. |
| ½ million children with ADHD in the United | | | | This scale can be given by medical personnel or |
| States, which is 3-5% of the student population. | | | | educational personnel. If your child is three years |
| More boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD | | | | old and receiving special education services you |
| which is approximately 4-9 times more. | | | | may ask special education personnel to conduct a |
| According to the DSM IV ADHD can be defined | | | | Connors Rating Scale. The Connors-3 can be |
| by the behaviors exhibited. Children and adults | | | | found at: |
| have a combination of the following behaviors. | | | | The reason that it is important to determine if |
| 1. Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in their | | | | your child has ADHD : |
| seat. | | | | 1. Because of the impact ADHD can have on your |
| 2. Difficulty remaining seated when required to do | | | | child's academic success. |
| so. | | | | 2. Because of the impact ADHD can have on |
| 3. Difficulty sustaining attention and waiting for a | | | | your child's school behavior. |
| turn in tasks, games, or group situations. | | | | 3. Because many children with ADHD may have |
| 4. Blurting out answers to questions before the | | | | other disabilities; such as learning disabilities, short |
| questions have been completed. | | | | term memory disorders, sensory integration |
| 5. Difficulty following through on instructions and in | | | | disorder, anxiety or mood disorders. |
| organizing tasks. | | | | The earlier you know that your child has ADHD |
| 6. Shifting from one unfinished activity to another. | | | | the earlier that you can begin treatment, watch |
| 7. Failing to give close attention to details and | | | | for other disabilities, and help your child reach |
| avoiding careless mistakes. | | | | academic success! |