Smart Kids With LD

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is the diagnosis for an array of difficulties, but the common thread that unites all who have it is their difficulty in regulating attention—paying the right amount of attention for the appropriate amount of time. In addition, symptoms typically include distractibility, and often impulsivity and/or hyperactivity.

	Is this your child? Is often fidgety and squirmy Sits only if absorbed Is easily bored Listens poorly Has a short attention span Resists authority Frustrates easily Is a novelty or thrill seeker Is highly impatient

Gender Bias

Boys are three times more likely than girls to be screened for ADHD. Girls with ADHD may not act out in the classroom as boys often do, and therefore are not referred for evaluation as often as their male peers. Girls with ADHD may be quiet and cooperative, hoping not to be noticed. They may also present with physical complaints, anxiety, dreaminess or extreme disorganization.

	Strengths Children with ADHD tend to have a great deal of energy and curiosity. They often function best when problem-solving, figuring out how things work and seeking insights beyond rote learning. They’re “big picture” thinkers, more interested in searching for relevance, meaning, and understanding relationships than names, dates, and other bits of information. Not all children with ADHD, whose symptoms usually appear before the age of 7, display the same behaviors. There are three subtypes of ADHD. If your child falls into one or more of these categories consider having him or her evaluated for ADHD.

ADHD Subtypes

• Inattentive (sometimes called ADD) does not include hyperactivity. A child may appear “spacey” or “not all there,” and often fails to pick up on some part of the information provided whether presented verbally or in writing.
• Hyperactive includes many of the stereotypical behaviors associated with ADHD such as constant fidgeting, shifting or moving, difficulty staying seated in school, and the inability to stay focused on one task.
• Impulsive is characterized by a tendency to act before thinking about consequences. It can impact academics (e.g., students jump to the wrong conclusion), teachers’ perceptions (e.g. students are thought to be “talking back”), and the likelihood of engaging in physically and socially risky behaviors.

See also . . .

Evaluating Your Child for ADHD

Medications for ADHD

Beyond Medication: Evidence-Based ADHD Care

Increasing the Odds of Success for Children with ADHD

Driving Under the Influence of ADHD

Kids with ADHD Are Natural Born Leaders