Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood that persists into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD might have trouble paying attention, controlling their impulses (i.e., blurting), or managing their activity level. While all children experience these difficulties to some extent, a child with ADHD may experience these difficulties more severely and to the extent that they cause difficulties at school, at home, and/or with friends.
Although most individuals with ADHD are diagnosed with the condition in childhood, some individuals with ADHD are first identified in high school or later, particularly if they are high achieving and previously managed their symptoms with a range of compensatory mechanisms.
There are three different subtypes of ADHD, depending on the most prevalent symptoms. However, the presentation of ADHD may change over time as well:
Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: Individuals have difficulties organizing or finishing tasks, paying attention to details, sustaining their attention in class and/or during conversations, managing distractions, and tracking details/plans. This subtype was historically referred to as attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The individual experiences motor hyperactivity (fidgeting) and has difficulty sitting still for long and/or when expected (e.g., in class or at dinner). The individual may feel restless and has difficulty managing their impulses, often contributing to feelings of impatience and restlessness.
Combined Presentation: Symptoms of the above two subtypes are equally present.
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Resources
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD
Parent to Parent Family Training on ADHD
Referrals
Center for Living Well with ADHD
Additional referrals can be found here: https://chadd.org/professional-directory/
Books for Adults
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD
What your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew
Books for Kids
Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids
Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids
Free Association: Where my Mind Goes During Science Class
Cory Stories: A Kids Book about Living with ADHD
Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have the Wiggle Fidgets
Videos
Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story
Barkley: ADHD as Intention Deficit Disorder
Barkley: This is How you Treat ADHD
Barkley: Essential Ideas for Parents of Kids with ADHD