Browse

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6.4 million children between four and 17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011.
 
This primer is designed to help you understand ADHD at a deeper level and combat misconceptions. 
 
Fact: An ADHD diagnosis requires observations of numerous symptoms in multiple settings and evidence of significant impairment.
 
Children are inherently energetic, sometimes even rowdy. If unruly behavior is the only symptom, then it’s difficult for a professional to say that their problem is truly a mental illness.
 
“ADHD is a real mental disorder. There are a myriad of reasons why children are inattentive, such as anxiety or inadequate sleep, but a child with attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or ADHD does have a condition. Diagnosis will require observations of numerous symptoms in multiple settings and evidence of significant impairment.” - Joshua Cabrera, MD, clinical psychiatrist and assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine.
 
The main symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. 
 
These can manifest in different ways: persistent fidgeting, being easily distracted or forgetful and difficulty waiting for a turn.