If you are a parent of a child that has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, it is essential that you learn the core characteristics of ADHD. While there are several different symptoms of ADHD in children, all of the signs of ADHD are broken down into three individual subtypes. These subtypes, or characteristics, are inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. According to statistics, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is considered to be the most common neurobehavioral based disorder affecting children today. As a result of this information, individuals that work and socially relate to children such as educators and parents must be aware of this disorder and expand their knowledge on the nature of the condition. By being educated on the condition, adults are better equipped to manage and cope with the core characteristics of ADHD.
Inattentiveness
The most common symptoms of ADHD in children relate to the characteristic of inattentiveness. While it is common for children to experience complications associated with their attention span, those that have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder suffer from problems associated with this characteristic that are considered above what is considered to be “normal” for children in their developmental age range. The inattentiveness often results in impairment in the functioning of their day to day lives. This impairment may affect the child at home, in the classroom, and in social situations. Furthermore, a child’s overall academic performance and general level of achievement may be impacted in a negative manner. The following characteristics of ADHD are common for children that exhibit inattentive ADHD:
* Inattentive symptoms of ADHD in children such as disorganization are extremely common. The child may lose items of importance or misplace their personal belongings frequently. It is not at all uncommon for the child to lose their toys, their homework, or items needed to complete assignments at school such as pencils, crayons, and even assigned school books. In addition to this, the places or areas that a child uses may be highly disorganized or cluttered. Examples include the child’s room, desk, or school lockers.
* Common characteristics of ADHD in those that exhibit inattentiveness include experiencing complications when provided with directions or detailed instructions. Many children will appear as if they are not listening to the directions when they are given to them, while other children will appear as if they do not understand them. While there are some children that understand directions when they are provided to them, they may easily forget them or become confused on the details as time progresses. In addition to these symptoms of ADHD in children, many kids may appear as if they experience overwhelming frustration when provided with instructions.
* Inattentive ADHD often results in the child’s inability to stay on task. In many instances, the kid is unable to complete activities or assignments. The child may not complete their chores as outlined in the home environment, may not be able to complete games played with friends, or finish assignments as instructed by their teacher.
Impulsivity
The next of the most common characteristics of ADHD is impulsivity. The most common symptoms of ADHD in children that display this characteristic include those that stem as a result of lack of self-control and behaviors that stem from a child acting before considering the consequences of their actions. The following highlights the most common characteristics of ADHD that involve impulsivity:
* Children that suffer from high levels of impulsivity often want instant gratification. Instead of waiting on the things, people or situations that they have been instructed to wait on; they want to experience what they want immediately.
* Many children suffering from this type of characteristic talk in an excessive manner. In many instances, they may blurt out answers or words inappropriately, interrupt others while they are talking or engaging in tasks, or experience problems in inhibiting what they say, which results in comments that are considered to be rude, inappropriate or tactless.
* Children may appear as if they have a consistent disregard for rules and/or expectations outlined by adults such as parents and teachers. They often act without considering the consequences and may often disregard the same rules or expectations, despite the fact that they have been instructed otherwise throughout the course of their lives. This could lead to disruptions in the classroom and in the home. In addition to this, it could result complications in social situations.
Hyperactivity
The last of the three main core characteristics of ADHD is hyperactivity. This is a physical state where the child exhibits an abnormally high amount of activity. The symptoms of ADHD in children that suffer from hyperactivity often relate to the kid’s inability to regulate their behaviors. They could also relate to the child’s inability to inhibit their behaviors. The following represents the common symptoms associated with this core characteristic of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder:
* Children that exhibit signs of ADHD may appear as if they have the ability to go nonstop. Many adults that work or relate to these children may describe them as being so active that it appears as if they are being driven by some type of motor. The energy that the child exhibits could prove to be highly detrimental in the classroom as well as at home. Certain actions such as consistently moving, jumping, running, climbing, and other forms of restlessness could prove to be highly disruptive.
* Despite the fact that the child may be encouraged to sit still, they continue to move in one way or another. They may squirm in their seat, tap their fingers, kick their legs, or other actions that are similar in nature.
* The child may appear to have absolutely no self-control. This may become so evident that the child is viewed as a disciplinary problem. They may engage in behaviors such as intruding on the space of others, grab things inappropriately, or may be unable to settle down. This often results to the child acting inappropriately in social situations.
Conclusion
By understanding the core characteristics of ADHD parents and other adults that work with a child will be able to create a plan that consists of structure, clear expectations and positive reinforcements to encourage productive behaviors. Inattentiveness, Impulsivity, and hyperactivity are considered to be both characteristics of ADHD as well as subtypes of the condition. Not all children that exhibit signs of ADHD will display all of the characteristics. Instead, the child will typically display the behaviors associated with one type and some of the symptoms of another type. In severe cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, however, a child may exhibit symptoms from all three types. It is important to establish which symptoms of ADHD in children that you are dealing with so that you are able to assist the child in managing their symptoms effectively.
Reference:
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