It's normal for children to have lots of energy.
It's normal for children to have short attention spans.
It's normal for children to start things they don't finish.
It's normal for children to daydream.

Is ADHD Real?

Because most people agree those statements above are true, some people say there is no such thing as ADHD. If everyone has the “symptoms,” they say, it can't be a disorder.

Children with ADHD have these symptoms more frequently and severely than is typical for their peers. Only a trained health care provider can accurately diagnose ADHD in children.

For a diagnosis to be made, ADHD symptoms:

• Must be present in at least two life situations: for example, at home, at school or work
• Must cause significant impairment in functioning at school, work, or in social settings
• Some symptoms that caused impairment were present before age 7
• Symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder

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

Continue to read about ADHD symptoms.

Find out more about the history of ADHD and be sure to read the frequently asked questions.