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10 Signs of a Student with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Dr. Valerie Roth

10 Signs of a Student with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a common concern for parents and teachers, so let’s learn a little bit more about the disorder.

According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual - 5th Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Therefore, it is a disorder that affects some areas of the brain that control executive functioning, motor skills, and thinking. There are many research studies on ADHD and some have contrasting views as to exactly why a child develops symptoms that meet the criteria for a diagnosis. Some of those views include: heredity causes that do not link a single gene but a combination of genes, imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, exposure to toxins, and complications at birth. Other studies link a combination among heredity and environmental factors. (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2012)

Typically, the DSM-5 is used as a reference when making a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. The DSM-5 is a collection of specific criteria of symptoms for disorders that has been studied and researched. It is a common tool used by professionals to ensure consistency when diagnosing disorders. To be diagnosed with ADHD, certain symptoms must be persistent, interfere with daily functioning, and have been present for over 6 months. There are a few different diagnoses of ADHD depending on the area of the symptoms. For example, you could be diagnosed with ADHD Combined Presentation, Predominantly Inattentive, or Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive. Additionally, the severity of the diagnosis will be clarified, such as mild, moderate, or severe. Depending on the article, the prevalence rate ranges from 3 to 11 percent of school-aged children.

Here are 10 common concerns of parents or teachers of students with ADHD

  1. Constantly in motion or fidgeting
  2. Talks non-stop and interrupts conversations constantly
  3. Overlooks details and makes careless mistakes
  4. Difficulty with time management, organization, or misplacing important items
  5. Easily distracted after starting a task
  6. Tries to avoid tasks that require sustained mental effort such as homework, reading, or writing papers
  7. Difficulty following multi-step directions
  8. Trouble with starting tasks
  9. Struggles with waiting their turn
  10. Difficulty with playing quietly by themselves

Often times, ADHD is present along with another concern such as learning problems, behavior concerns, difficulty maintaining positive relationships with peers, depression, anxiety, and/or emotional concerns. Based on research studies, 10-25% of students with ADHD also have a learning disability. Additionally, 25-50% of students with ADHD also show symptoms that meet criteria for emotional and/or behavioral disorders. It has also been shown that children with ADHD are more likely to experiment with substance abuse. Therefore, early intervention is important for the student to be successful in various facets of their life. (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2012)

There is no cure for ADHD but therapy and/or medication may benefit the student by reducing or managing symptoms. Parents can help their child at home by:

  • Keeping a routine to emphasize organization
  • Providing verbal praise when the child follows directions or displays desired behaviors
  • Implementing token economies/reward systems for following rules and/or doing chores
  • Creating a visual chart for chores, reminders, etc. to assist the child with remembering daily routines
  • Allowing for additional “wait time” after giving the child instructions
  • Limiting the number of steps in multi-step directions, as this will overload their working memory and the child may become side-tracked or forget the majority of the steps
  • Allow for breaks during homework and other mentally exhausting tasks, as the child may get easily frustrated

Here are additional resources on ADHD.

Please be aware that this article is for information purposes only.

Resources:

Desk reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-5. (2016). Arlington: American Psychiatric Association

Hallahan, D. P., Kauffman, J. M., & Pullen, P. C. (2012). Exceptional learners: an introduction to special education. Boston: Pearson Education.