Awareness of Students with Diverse Learning Needs,
What the Teacher Needs to Know, Volume 1
Recognizing the Child with AD/HD
Although children with AD/HD have symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, there are some children in whom one or the other pattern is predominant. The appropriate subtype should be medically diagnosed. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition), more commonly referred to as DSM - IV, outlines three subtypes. The following information is not intended for diagnostic purposes; referrals are to be made to the appropriate school-based team member.
1. AD/HD Combined Type
Six or more of the symptoms of inattention and six or more of the symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity persistently occur in a child's behaviour. Most children and adolescents with the AD/HD disorder have the combined type.
2. AD/HD Predominantly Inattentive Type
Six or more of the symptoms of inattention, but fewer than six of the symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, persistently occur in a child's behaviour.
3. AD/HD Predominantly Hyperactive - Impulsive Type
Six or more of the symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but fewer that six of the symptoms of inattention, persistently occur in a child's behaviour.
Inattention
Often:
- fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, or other related activities, i.e., work is often messy and performed carelessly and without considered thought.
- has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
- does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties. This is due to inattention and not due to a failure to understand instructions.
- has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
- avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort, e.g., homework or paperwork.
- loses things necessary for tasks or activities, e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools.
- is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli that are usually and easily ignored by others, e.g., a car honking, a background conversation.
- forgetful in daily activities, e.g., missing appointments, forgetting to bring lunch.
Hyperactivity
Often:
- fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
- leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.
- runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate. In adolescents or adults this may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness.
- has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
- Often is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor."
- Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity
Often:
- blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
- has difficulty waiting turn.
- interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g., butts into conversations or games.
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