Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD
1.Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (in adolescents may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness).
2.Has difficulty remaining seated when required to.
3.Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
4.Has difficulty waiting turns in games or group situations.
5.Often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed.
6.Has difficulty following through on instructions from others not due to oppositional behavior or failure of comprehension).
7.Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
8.Often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another.
9.Has difficulty playing quietly.
10.Often talks excessively.
11.Often interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g., butts into other peopleīs games.
12.Often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him or her.
13.Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home (e.g., toys, pencils, and books).
14.Often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering possible consequences (not for the purpose of thrill seeking), e.g., runs into street without looking.
Please note that many of these same behaviours are found in gifted children as well. Before you panic, consult your childīs teacher and a counselor at school.
