Diagnosis

You’ve probably reached out to us because your child has recently been formally diagnosed with ADHD

ADHD is a developmental condition- meaning that it originates in childhood.

ADHD is a Neurological disorder- meaning it is a disorder that affects the development of the nervous system, leading to the difference in brain functioning.

Diagnosis Children who have ADHD tend to have the following problems:


The CDC says that 11 percent of American children, ages 4 to 17, have attention disorder with ‘core symptoms’ are usually present before the student is 12 years of age and can persist throughout their school life.

To be formally diagnosed for ADHD or ADD, your medical practitioner will be looking for 3 primary characteristics:

Inattention – Difficulty following instructions or completing tasks, Short attention span and difficulty ‘sticking to’ an activity, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, easily distracted and forgetful. Often doesn’t listen when spoken to.

Hyperactivity – Fidgets, is restless and can’t sit still in class, can’t stop talking, noisy, runs about when it is inappropriate.

Impulsiveness – Interrupts others, blurts out answers without waiting for the question to be finished. difficulty in waiting or taking turns.

ADHD
(inattentive presentation)

ADHD (inattentive presentation) describes students who mainly have problems with concentration and attention span but who are not usually impulsive or overactive.

ADHD
(hyperactive/ impulsive presentation)

ADHD (hyperactive/ impulsive presentation) describes students who predominantly have problems with overactive and impulsive development.

ADHD
(combined presentation)

ADHD (combined presentation) is where symptoms from the ADHD hyperactive/impulsive and ADHD inattentive combine, and is the most severe form of the condition.

Tell Tale Signs

Parents and Teachers Notice the following when kids struggle with ADHD:

Inattention 

Difficulty following instructions or completing tasks
• Short attention span and difficulty ‘sticking to’ an activity
• Difficulty organising tasks and activities
• Easily distracted and forgetful
• Often doesn’t listen when spoken to

Hyperactivity
• Fidgets, is restless and can’t sit still in class
• Can’t stop talking, noisy
• Runs about when it is inappropriate

Impulsiveness
• Interrupts others
• Blurts out answers without waiting for the question to be finished

What problems can ADHD cause?

Students with severe ADHD can:
• Have low self-esteem
• Develop emotional and social problems
• Underachieve at school
• Be at risk of school exclusion