What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder marked by persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.
Symptoms begin in childhood and can affect daily life, including social relationships and school or work performance. ADHD is well-known among children and teens, but many adults also have the disorder.
People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of:
Inattention: Having problems staying on task, paying attention, or being organized, which are not due to defiance or a lack of comprehension.
Hyperactivity: Being extremely restless or constantly moving, including in situations when it is not appropriate; excessively fidgeting or tapping; or talking too much.
Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting others, or having difficulty with self-control. Impulsivity can also involve a desire for immediate rewards or an inability to delay gratification or consider long-term consequences.
People with symptoms of inattention may often:
Overlook or miss details and make seemingly careless mistakes during school, work, or other activities
Have difficulty sustaining attention during play, work, or tasks, such as conversations, lectures, or homework
Not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Find it hard to follow through on instructions or finish work, chores, or assignments
Start tasks but lose focus and get easily sidetracked
Have difficulty organizing tasks and activities, doing tasks in order, keeping track of materials and belongings, managing time, and meeting deadlines
Avoid tasks that require sustained attention, such as doing homework, preparing reports, completing forms, or reading long papers
Lose important things, such as school supplies, books, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, and cell phones
Be easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli
Be forgetful in daily activities, such as completing chores, running errands, returning calls, and keeping appointments
People with symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity may often:
Fidget and squirm while seated
Leave their seats in situations when staying seated is expected, such as in the classroom or at the office
Run, dash around, or climb at inappropriate times or, in teens and adults, feel frequently restless
Be unable to play or engage in hobbies quietly
Be constantly in motion or act as if driven by a motor
Talk excessively or interrupt others
Answer questions before they are fully asked, finish other people’s sentences, or speak when it is not their turn in a conversation
Have difficulty waiting, for example, in conversations, games, or activities
My services can help students and families understand how ADHD works in their lives, the strengths and challenges of the neurodivergent brain, and provide strategies and practices to aid in thriving with ADHD.
National Institute of Health. (2024). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd