What is ADHD?

For ADHD Awareness Month, the Access

Center has composed a series of four articles

that will give you the tools to interact with this

unique population effectively.

This week, we will look at the symptoms of

ADHD and how it is diagnosed.

No single test can determine ADHD, and

other situations can mimic signs of ADHD.

(burnout, being overcommitted, side effects of

medications.) Therefore, assessment of

ADHD should be done only by a trained

professional using a variety of tests.

By examining the three different types of

ADHD—inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive,

and combined—one can better understand

the challenges of each type.

Inattentive presentation:

   Fails to pay close attention to details      
   or makes careless mistakes

         
       Has difficulty sustaining attention.


   Does not appear to listen.


   Struggles to follow through on instructions.

   Has difficulty with organization.


   Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring a lot

   of thinking.

   Loses things.


   Is easily distracted.

   Is forgetful in daily activities.
 

 

 

Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation

    Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in     

    chair.

    Has difficulty remaining seated.

    Runs about or climbs excessively in
    children; extreme restless in adults.

     Difficulty engaging in activities quietly
 
          Acts as if driven by a motor. Adults
    will feel inside like they were driven by   
    a motor.

    Talks excessively.

    Blurts out answers before questions   
    have been completed.

    Difficulty waiting or taking turns.

              
    Interrupts or intrudes on others.

Combined inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation

Has symptoms from both of the above presentations.

 

In making the diagnosis, children still should

have six or more symptoms of the disorder. In

older teens and adults the DSM-5 states they

should have at least five symptoms.

Although accurate diagnosis is crucial, it is

only the first step. One author used the

analogy of a hungry person going to a

restaurant and being diagnosed with hunger

instead of being fed! When we examine tools

and coping skills, people with ADHD can feel

more confident and those who interact with

them can better understand how to meet their

needs.

Each week in October, we will discuss a

different way to encourage people with ADHD

in higher education.