1. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Early Childhood Education
Georgia CTAE Resource Network
Instructional Resources Office
July 2009

2. Common Behaviors
Being inattentive (for example, not seeming to listen when spoken to)
Being overly active (hyperactive) or having weak impulse control (impulsive)
Some people with ADHD may be mainly inattentive or mainly hyperactive. Most people with ADHD show a combination of behaviors.

3. Conduct Disorder Bullying or threatening others Starting fights
Purposely setting fires or destroying property in other ways
Telling lies in order to get things or get out of doing things
Stealing valuable items or stealing directly from a person

4. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Loss of temper
Refusing to follow rules of adults
Purposely doing things to annoy others
Negative, defiant, disobedient and hostile toward authority figures

5. Other Conditions Anxiety disorders Mood disorders, such as depression
Learning or communication disorders (trouble with language or other skills, such as math)

6. What causes ADHD? Researchers don’t know the exact cause(s) yet…
Differences in the brain
Genetics
Other possible causes:
Problems during pregnancy or childbirth
Problems in the child’s environment, such as high lead levels

7. Diagnosing takes a complete evaluation…
A medical exam
A physical exam
Lab tests
Mental health screening tests (for conditions such as depression)
A personal and family medical history
Rule out – or diagnose – other conditions that may be causing symptoms
Find out if any other family members may have ADHD
Interviews and observations
Rating scales

8. ADHD brings many challenges
At home
Relationships with family
Cause stress and low self-esteem
At school
Low test scores and grades
Trouble staying seated quietly, taking tests, writing or studying
Disorganization
Trouble starting or finishing work
Lose books and assignments
Become bored easily
In other settings
Difficult to make or keep friends
In later years, success at work may be affected