ADHD is one of the leading neurological behaviors diagnosed in children. Children with ADHD have the inability to focus on one thing, stay on task, and sit still (Biel and McGee 1). Some people think that children with ADHD cannot focus on anything, but in reality they focus on everything. It is also believed that ADHD only occurs in children. However, in many cases ADHD persists from childhood to adulthood. These adults learn to control their behaviors with or without medication, like Ritalin ("Facts" 3). The intensity of the symptoms in others diagnosed with ADHD can decrease as the years go by. .
The main symptoms associated with ADHD include but aren't limited to: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention (Biel and McGee 1). Hyperactivity refers to constant moving, difficulty concentrating, and disruptive behaviors of the child. The constant moving will most likely subside as they grow into adulthood. Just like ADHD there is no specific way to diagnose hyperactivity and there is no tests that can be performed to diagnose this disorder ("Facts" 2). Specialists can only observe the patient in various settings to see if the behaviors change. Impulsivity is defined as doing an action without thinking. An example of impulsivity is uncontrolled kinesthetic motions; tapping a desk, leg shaking, and running around. All of these which could cause distractions to other children in the classroom. Inattention is the struggle for children and adults to pay attention for long periods of time (Biel and McGee 6). Most children daydream but are able to come back to reality when needed, but those with ADHD are unable to always snap back and they stay lost in their own thoughts. This causes them not to catch all the details on their assignments and the child seems to fail at completing them without assistance. These are the three main symptoms of ADHD, but others aspects are considered in the diagnostic process.