One disorder, called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, has three different subtypes. Learn about ADHD and its subtypes.

Three Subtypes of ADHD: One Disorder

ADD, ADHD, AD/HD

So what's the difference between ADD, ADHD, and AD/HD? You may see these disorder names used interchangeably. AD/HD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the accurate medical term that has had several names in the past. There are three subtypes of the disorder: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. For the purposes of this Web site, to make reading easier, we'll refer to the disorder as ADHD (without the slash).

It takes a health care professional, trained in recognizing ADHD, to make a diagnosis. Friends and relatives may have been telling you, “All children act like that.” A trained professional will know whether your child's behavior truly is within a normal range. A diagnosis of ADHD means that your child's symptoms and behaviors are outside the range that would be expected for your child's age and development level.

A professional with expertise in ADHD will want to know whether your child excessively:

Inattention

1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school, schoolwork, work, or other activities
2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention during tasks or play activities
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)
5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
7. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (eg, toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)
8. Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactivity

1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
2. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
3. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
4. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
5. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"
6. Often talks excessively

Impulsivity

1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
2. Often has difficulty awaiting turn
3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (eg, butts into conversations or games)

If your child's symptoms…

• Started before he or she was 7 years old
• Have been going on for more than 6 months
• Happen in more than one place, like both at school and at home
• Impair your child
• Are not related to another disorder

…then it might be time to talk with a health care professional about your child's symptoms.

For a complete list of ADHD symptoms, please click here.

Learn about ADHD symptoms in adults.