Question
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how is it recognized?
Answer
The primary symptoms of the disorder are difficulties with attention. Children often show signs such as being unable to focus and having poor sustained attention. They frequently switch between activities, and have difficulty staying focused on tasks such as homework. They are careless in their work. They often start tasks but never finish them, or frequently switch between tasks. Homework completion is slow, with frequent interruptions for things like drinking, eating, or going to the bathroom, resulting in significantly extended homework time. Some children may appear to be staring off into space or daydreaming, looking at the teacher but not understanding what is being said. They often do not know what the question is when teachers ask questions. Difficulties with attention are one of the necessary symptoms of the disorder.