1. What is Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

1.1. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder. Children with ADHD exhibit the following key characteristics:

• Inattentive
  • Difficulty following through on instructions
  • Difficulty organising tasks
  • Making careless mistakes
  • Difficulty in listening to others without interrupting, or focusing on required work without being distracted
  • Losing things necessary for tasks or activities
  • Not copying down and handing up homework
  • Difficulty in getting work done in class and completing homework
  • Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
  • Forgetful in daily activities
• Hyperactive
  • Cannot sit still, walk around in class, cannot stay seated to complete one meal
  • Like a walking tornado - creating a mess wherever he goes
  • Fidgeting with hands or feet or squirming in their seat
  • Difficulty in playing quietly / talk excessively
  • Playing with stationery and other items while class is in progress
  • Disrupting the class
• Impulsive
  • Difficulty in waiting for turn in tasks, games or group situations; Wants things now
  • Blurting out answers to questions before questions have been completed
  • Often interrupts or intrudes on others

1.2. Some children are inattentive and impulsive without much hyperactivity. They are termed as having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Children with ADD are like those with ADHD, except that they do not exhibit much of the hyperactivity symptoms.

1.3. Other problems encountered with a ADHD/ADD child include:

• Slow, sloppy / illegible handwriting
• Being bullied by others
• Low self-esteem
• Poor organisational skills
• Poor social skills
• Poor listening skills
• Getting into fights with peers
• Aggressive / immature.

1.4. ADHD/ADD is usually diagnosed when the child is at the age of 6-10 years old, although some children may be diagnosed earlier or later.

1.5. About 3% of the student population have ADHD/ADD. This means that there are likely to be 1 or 2 ADHD children in each class of 40 students.

1.6. Boys are 4-6 times more likely than girls to have ADHD/ADD. Hence in this handbook, the male gender will be used when referring to the ADHD/ADD child.