Often, laymen think of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as either a way for parents to explain away poor parenting skills or as a problem experienced by young children. They will see a child sitting quietly and think the child can't possibly have ADHD. ADHD kids can't sit still. If only it were so simple.

In actuality, ADHD is diagnosed by looking at 19 separate symptoms subdivided into three subcategories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. A patient can show signs of all the symptoms or only some of them, usually six or more over a period of six months or longer. Depending on the age of the child, a trained professional will not only study the patient's behavior but will also question the people who are around the child daily. The parents, teachers, and day care providers will all have input into the final diagnosis. It is quite possible for patients suffering from ADHD to have no problem sitting still, if they are truly interested in what they are doing or if they simply do not exhibit that particular symptom.

Inattention

When testing for inattention, the following nine symptoms will be considered. The patient need only exhibit six of the symptoms, and the symptoms are judged based on what is age appropriate for the patient, meaning there is a different set of standards for a three year old than a nine year old.

1. Misses details or makes careless mistakes when doing paperwork, class assignments, or other activities.
2. Problems paying attention on tasks or during play.
3. Appears not to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Even though trying, the patient cannot follow directions or fails to finish class assignments, chores, or other duties.
5. Lacks organizational skills.
6. Avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to participate in activities that take a lot of mental effort for extended periods of time.
7. Loses things often.
8. Easily distracted.
9. Forgets to do daily activities, even after doing being assigned to do them day after day over a long period of time.

Hyperactivity and impulsivity are often considered together. Professionals look for a combined six or more symptoms from both the hyperactivity and impulsivity categories to be present for more than six months before they consider the patient suffering from ADHD.

Hyperactivity

1. Fidgets and has a hard time sitting still.
2. Stands up when expected to remain seated.
3. Runs around or climbs on things when and where it is inappropriate.
4. Has trouble playing or doing activities quietly.
5. Often up and moving around. Never seems to get tired.
6. Talks excessively.

Impulsivity

1. Blurts out answers before the question is fully asked.
2. Has trouble waiting his or her turn.
3. Interrupts or intrudes on others.

Most often, ADHD is diagnosed in elementary school children, predominantly because that is the time of life when children are being asked to act in a more structured manner. However, many are not diagnosed until later in life. In many cases, children appear to grow out of their ADHD symptoms by the time they are teenagers. Often this is not the case; rather the child has learned to control his problem by his teenage years. However, it is not unusual for a person to go through his entire life struggling to overcome his ADHD symptoms.

ADHD affects more than just the person with the diagnosis. It affects the entire family, as families find it frustrating to deal with an individual who may be unable to live up to the same expectations as other people of that age. Parents become irritated because it appears their child is not listening, does not care, or lacks common sense. Siblings may feel the child with ADHD is getting more attention, is constantly annoying them, or resents the necessary household structure needed to deal successfully with a child with ADHD.

Often it is the impact of the educational process that most affects the family, as teachers complain the child is not doing his homework or not turning in homework the parents know he has done. The child may be suspended for disrupting class or may be failing classes, not because he lacks intelligence, but because he doesn't function well in a normal school environment. This is not because the school system doesn't want the child to receive an education. Schools are set up as very structured environments where 20-30 children are brought together to learn. If one child is disruptive, it creates a difficult teaching environment for all the students. The teacher has a responsibility to all her students and is only looking for whatever assistance she can get from the parents to resolve the difficult situation.

ADHD is classified as a mental disorder and is treatable by medications. However, no one likes seeing young children medicated, and statistics have shown there is a correlation between such medications and drug use later in life. Given that, there is a lot of controversy about whether a child should be medicated or whether concessions should be made to help him adapt to his symptoms. An ADHD diagnosis qualifies students for special help in the school system, but it takes a persistent parent to ensure her child gets the education he deserves.

If you think your child or someone you love is exhibiting the symptoms of ADHD, and it is affecting their ability to lead a normal, happy life, consult with a medical professional. Get a diagnosis and the help and support needed to help him lead a full, rich life free of so many of the frustrations that go along with being thought of as a bad student, rebellious child, or inattentive adult.

ADHD is not the results of poor parenting or the behavior of a lazy or rebellious child. It is a dysfunction of the brain, which can show itself in many different ways, and can only be diagnosed by a professional. Understanding ADHD and how it works is the first step to relieving the frustration and misunderstands so often associated with this mental disorder.