There are three different categories of symptoms that are associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, one of which is inattention symptoms. The other categories of symptoms are symptoms of hyperactivity and symptoms of impulsivity. These are the three key behaviors of someone that has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Most children can exhibit these symptoms in small amounts, but when they become excessive, ADHD is likely to be the culprit.
These symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder must persist for six months or longer and exist to an excessive degree in order to receive an ADHD diagnosis.
Symptoms associated with the inattentive stage of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can include the following:
- The child may be easily distracted, they may miss details, they may forget things, or they may frequently hop from activity to activity without reason.
- The child may have great difficulty focusing on a single task.
- The child may become easily bored with tasks after only several minutes unless they are participating in something that they truly enjoy.
- The child may have great difficulty with focusing their attention on completing tasks, learning something new or organizing.
- The child may experience trouble with completing homework or turning in homework, they may lose things often, especially items that pertain to those tasks or assignments.
- The child may not appear to be listening when he or she is being spoken to.
- The child may daydream, move slowly or become confused easily.
- The child may seem to have excessive difficulty with processing information as accurately or as quickly as others do.
- The child may struggle excessively just to follow directions.
These symptoms are all interrelated, and are common in children struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although all children can exhibit these symptoms in small amounts, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will struggle with these problems constantly.