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Three Subtypes of ADHD: One Shared 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 problem behavior is beyond the normal limit.
A professional with expertise in ADHD will want to know whether your child excessively:
- Fidgets and squirms in a seat
- Runs and climbs when it’s not the time or place
- Talks
- Interrupts and intrudes on others
These and other similar symptoms may add up to ADHD—hyperactive/impulsive type.
A professional will also want to know if your child has excessive:
- Unfinished work
- Careless mistakes
- Lost toys, homework or papers, and books
- Problems paying attention
These and other similar symptoms may add up to ADHD—inattentive type.
If both sets of symptoms seem to fit, the diagnosis may be ADHD—combined type.
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 both you and your child might benefit from talking to a professional.
Learn about ADHD symptoms in adults.
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