About ADHD
Over 800,000 Australians have ADHD:
6-8% of Australian children and 3-5% of Australian adults.
Definitions and information sourced from AADPA and ADHD WA web sites and publications.
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What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in brain and cognitive development.
ADHD Symptoms
Symptoms include greater difficulties with focusing and sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity than would be expected for a person’s age or developmental level. For many people, ADHD symptoms continue into adulthood and can be lifelong.
People with ADHD can struggle to:
- Focus and concentrate
- Control their impulses
- Stop and make decisions which take into account longer term consequences
They can also experience difficulties with:
- Planning and prioritising
- Getting organised
- Time management
- Emotional regulation
These difficulties can impact a person’s ability to study, work, manage responsibilities, develop and maintain social relationships, enjoy leisure time and relax.
They can also negatively impact self-confidence and self-esteem.
There are three types of ADHD:
1. Inattentive ADHD
Inattention manifests behaviourally as wandering off task, lacking persistence, having difficulty sustaining focus, or being disorganised. Other symptoms include:
- Poor attention to detail, making careless mistakes, and difficulty in sustaining attention in tasks.
- Not following through on instructions or failing to complete tasks.
- Losing things necessary for tasks or activities.
- Avoiding, disliking, or being reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort.
- Being easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
- Not listening — or gives the appearance of not listening — even when spoken to directly.
- Poor organisation skills.
- Forgetting everyday routines, practices, or items in daily activities.
2. Hyperactive ADHD
Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity at an inappropriate time, such as excessive fidgeting, tapping, or talkativeness. Impulsivity refers to hasty actions that occur in the moment without forethought and have high potential for harm to the individual. Other symptoms include:
- Fidgeting with hands, tapping hands or feet, or squirming in seat.
- Leaving a seated position in situations where remaining in seat is expected.
- In children, running or climbing in situations where it is inappropriate. For adolescents and adults, this presents as restlessness.
- Being unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly.
- Excessive talking, such as blurting out answers before a question has been completed, or interrupting others in conversation.
- Difficulty waiting a turn.