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Summary
Is it hard for your child to sit still? Does your child act without thinking first? Does your child start but not finish things? If so, your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but ADHD lasts more than 6 months and causes problems in school, at home and in social situations.
ADHD is more common in boys than girls. It affects 3 to 5% of all American children.
The main features of ADHD are:
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
No one knows exactly what causes ADHD. It sometimes runs in families, so genetics may be a factor. There may also be environmental factors.
A complete evaluation by a trained professional is the only way to know for sure if your child has ADHD. Treatment may include medicine to control symptoms, therapy, or both. Structure at home and at school is important. Parent training may also help.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
Symptoms
- Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptoms and Diagnosis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
-
ADHD Screening
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
-
Pharmacogenetic Tests
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- Behavior Therapy for Children with ADHD (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- My Child Has Been Diagnosed with ADHD - Now What? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
-
Stimulant ADHD Medications -- Methylphenidate and Amphetamines
(National Institute on Drug Abuse) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Treating and Dealing with ADHD (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
Living With
- ADHD: Tips to Try (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Getting Treatment for ADHD (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Parenting a Child with ADHD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Related Issues
- Allergies and Hyperactivity (and sugar) (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Other Concerns and Conditions with ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Specifics
- College Students with ADHD (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Genetics
-
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
Statistics and Research
- Data and Statistics about ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Faststats: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (National Center for Health Statistics)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Behavior Management Training for Parents of Children with Preschool ADHD Based...
- Article: Transcranial random noise stimulation combined with cognitive training for treating ADHD:...
- Article: Single-dose effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on functional connectivity during an...
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- see more articles
Find an Expert
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- FindTreatment.gov (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
-
National Institute of Mental Health
Also in Spanish
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association)
Children
- ADHD (Nemours Foundation)
-
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Teens: What You Need to Know
(National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- Kids' Quest: ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Girls
- Girls and ADHD (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Teenagers
- ADHD (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- ADHD Medications (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Learning Disabilities and ADHD (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
Women
- Women and Girls (With ADHD) (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Adults
- Adult Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
-
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults: What You Need to Know
(National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- Relationships and Social Skills (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Patient Handouts
- ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Medicines for ADHD (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish