Children with Developmental Challenges

Children With Developmental Challenges 3(2+1)

Lesson 22 : Neuro-Biological Disability -ADD

Diagnostic criteria for ADD

The American Psychiatric Association (1980) uses the following criteria for diagnosing ADD.

Inattention (will exhibit at least 3 of the following)

• Often fails to finish things he or she starts
• Often seems not to listen
• Is easily distracted
• Has difficulty concentrating on school work or other tasks requiring sustained attention
• Has difficulty sticking to a play activity
• Often fails to pay close attention to details
• Often disorganized about tasks and activities
• Often avoids tasks that require sustained attention and mental effort
• Often forgetful about daily activities

Impulsivity (will exhibit at least 3 of the following)

• Often acts before thinking
• Shifts excessively from one activity to another
• Has difficulty organizing work
• Needs a lot of supervision
• Frequently calls out in class
• Has difficulty awaiting turn in games or group situations

Hyperactivity (will exhibit at least 3 of the following)

• Runs about or climbs on things excessively
• Has difficulty sitting still or fidgets excessively
• Has difficulty staying seated
• Moves about excessively during sleepIs always “on the go “or acts if “driven by a motor”