The simple idea
Three core areas:
- Inattention — careless mistakes, losing things, easily distracted, unfinished tasks, "not listening."
- Hyperactivity — can't stay seated, always on the go, talks a lot, restless inside.
- Impulsivity — blurting out, interrupting, can't wait, acting before thinking.
| Core area | Looks like |
|---|---|
| Inattention | careless mistakes, loses things, distracted, unfinished tasks |
| Hyperactivity | can't stay seated, always on the go, talks a lot |
| Impulsivity | blurts out, interrupts, can't wait |
The rule that prevents over‑diagnosis
Don't diagnose ADHD because a child can't sit still in one hard 45‑minute class. Ask: is it *long‑standing, out of step with the child's age, present across several settings (home and school), and genuinely impairing? ADHD is a developmental pattern*, not a single bad afternoon — so an adult "disorganised for 6 months" needs a much closer look.
A helpful contrast
- ADHD: "My attention wanders because I'm easily distracted."
- Anxiety: "I can't concentrate because my mind is full of worry."
Same surface, different engine.
A note on treatment
Help combines changes at home/school, behavioural strategies, and — when needed — medication (with a physical check first, including heart‑related history, before starting).
Quick check ✅
- Name the three core features of ADHD.
- Why isn't "can't sit still in one class" enough to diagnose it?
Remember this 🌟
Where we're going next → A different developmental pattern — autism (Concept 31).