ADHD Symptoms and Your Child's Behavior

You're frustrated by your child's inability to follow directions at home and at school. Before you blame her actions on willfulness, step back and see if signs of ADHD are what she's showing you.

Children who just can't do everyday tasks that parents or teachers ask of them may not be disobedient or busy daydreaming — they might be displaying ADHD symptoms. Know the signs of ADHD so that you can get your child the help needed to manage the condition.

Know the ADHD Symptoms

The three main ADHD symptoms are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Most children have all three, but a child can still have ADHD with just one or two. Also, the signs of ADHD may look different than parents might imagine.

"In children, for example, inattention will show up as not paying attention to details, or when an assignment is due, doing it carelessly," says Michael Manos, PhD, head of the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health at the Pediatric Institute of the Cleveland Clinic.

Children with ADHD may turn in work that's only partially completed and just not realize it. "Constant monitoring is required," says Manos, because these children simply can't — not won't — pay attention or remember to do tasks that they aren't interested in.

Signs of ADHD that children (and adults) may exhibit include:

• Being easily distracted
• Persistent forgetfulness
• Disorganization
• Frequent fidgeting and an inability to sit still
• Frequently losing things, even things important to them
• In children, constantly bringing home the wrong homework or book
• Starting, but not finishing projects
• Talking excessively or impulsively, including interrupting conversations and finishing other people’s sentences
• Emotional outbursts such as temper tantrums
• Inability to wait one’s turn

It’s important to note that in people with ADHD these behaviors happen with great frequency, not just on occasion, says Manos, and to such an extent that they cause a variety of problems in many areas of the patient’s life.

ADHD Symptoms and Other Conditions

Sometimes ADHD symptoms can mimic other behavioral or psychiatric problems, and frequently ADHD occurs along with those other problems.

"There are often disorders that accompany ADHD. The most frequent disorder co-diagnosed is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)," Manos says. "Between 42 and 60 percent of people with ADHD will also show ODD."

Oppositional defiant disorder is characterized by aggressive and defiant behavior. "When you have a hyperactive child and the hyperactive child has to be controlled constantly, you have adults constantly managing them, telling them ‘stop this,’ ‘do this,’ ‘put that down,’" explains Manos. "Think about how many thousands of times that happens by parents and teachers. With all of that punishment [and] all of those consequences, what happens is a very common side effect, which is aggression." Remember, people with ADHD aren't exhibiting these behaviors on purpose. "They try to do the right thing, and they are unable to do the right thing," says Manos. "Frustration leads to oppositionality."

People with ADHD are also more likely to suffer from learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety disorders, all of which need to be treated and addressed. Fortunately, Manos says, many times getting the ADHD under control with treatment will resolve the other problems if they occurred as a result of the ADHD.

ADHD can be a complex disorder, but effective treatment options are available to keep ADHD symptoms under control, and to keep relationships and interactions with parents, friends, schoolmates, and co-workers healthy and efficient.