The most common understanding of someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is that they are highly energetic and jumping around everywhere, unable to sit still for any length of time. It is this image that confuses people because playful children without ADHD also display the exact same behaviour.
Still, it remains true that one of the defining symptom of ADHD is hyperactivity. ADHD is characterised by an inability to pay attention or focus for any length of time, and as well as hyperactivity.
Less known is that a child with ADHD can often not be hyperactive!
This means the outward signs of ADHD may not always be present, making assessment even more of a difficulty. Children who have ADHD but don’t manifest hyperactivity will still have issues with focus and attentiveness in daily tasks, or in school. They may be off in a daydream for extended periods of time, and thus disrupting their ability to effectively learn.
When you assess a child for ADHD or other disorders, you really need to look at the entirety of the child’s life and activities. You have to look at the consistency of their behaviour in the classroom, at home, or during play in order to establish a pattern of behaviour.
College of Allied Educators offers our Diploma in Learning Disorders Management & Child Psychology programme to help you understand your child or the child in your care to more effectively help in their learning and development.
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