In my capacity as a psychiatrist I hear the same questions repeated ad nauseam, and the quantity of questions far exceeds the actual range of topics. Time and time again, it is the same questions generally relating to either the diagnosis and or treatment of ADHD such as "how do I diagnose adhd", "how can i determine if my child has adhd?, "signs of adhd in young children", "does my child have adhd" and many more.



In order to better educate those with concerns that a child may have ADHD, I have created a checklist of symptoms which indicate ADHD in a child. This will help you do diagnose better for adhd child symptom and provide early interventions for children with adhd

What are the different types of ADHD?

ADHD actually falls into 3 broad categories, contingent on the symptoms that are exhibited during the course of an intervention of a child with ADHD. The three categories are as follows:

1. Combined Type (Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive).

Children who suffer from this form of ADHD will exhibit the following triad of symptoms:

- inattentive behavior

- impulsiveness

- hyperactivity.

2. Hyperactive/Impulsive Type.

This form of ADHD is similar to the classic form of ADHD, with the conspicuous absence of inattentive behavior.

3. Inattentive Type

This form of ADHD is less frequently diagnosed than the other two forms , the main reason being that due to a low level of activity from the child concerned, so there is no overt behavior.

How to detect signs of ADHD in young children with ADHD checklists questionnaires

This is a worry and concern for many parents, what makes matters worse is that during the early developing years of a child they already seem bored and disengaged with schoolwork making it difficult to make a clear cut diagnosis. The following is a list which can help narrow down signs of ADHD in children

1. The child has little focus, and is easily and readily distracted by other sounds or stimuli.

2. The child is prone to mistakes that could be easily avoided, with a greater degree of attention.

3. The child shows an inability to follow simple instructions, is disorganized and generally unequipped to carry out a task.

4. Moves from incomplete activity to another with little or no regard.

5. The child is uneasy at sitting still for any length of time, instead constantly moving and or seems uneasy if they aren't.

6. The child is always active, engaged in physical activities.

7. The child has a tendency to give answers before fully hearing the question, interrupts frequently and or is unable to maintain a conversation.

8. Chattiness.

9. Inability to handle a delayed reaction, so find it difficult to manage with a deadline, a queue etc

10. General lack of attention to their duties, thus resulting in careless, easily avoided mistakes.

11. The child requires a constant repetition of instructions either forgetting them, or willfully not complying with them.

12. The child has a tendency not to follow rules and instructions and has a tendency not to complete tasks.

13. Poor organization skills.

14. The child struggles to focus on something for any period of time, and which will require a degree of concentration for an extended period of time,

15. The child has a tendency to lose things, regardless of value.

16. Generally forgetful or absent-minded.

17. Will engage in physical activity and horseplay even where such behavior is not appropriate.

18. Child has difficulty playing peacefully.

19. Child finds trouble waiting in queues.

20. A child is always full on energy and finds it impossible to sit at peace.