The Attention Center - Frequently Asked Questions

What is “ADHD”?

“ADHD” is the abbreviation for “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.” Sometimes it’s also called ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder), but for simplicity’s sake, we just use the official name “ADHD” on this site.

At The Attention Center, we don’t think of ADHD primarily as a “disorder” or a “deficit.” Rather, it is a difference in how the brains of ADHD people monitor and respond to the environment.

When an ADHD person notices something that his brain finds interesting, he will hyperfocus on it – often to the point that it blocks out all other stimuli. The ADHD person also wants to respond to this stimulus immediately. Hyperactivity (or restlessness) may be a part of that response, but that’s not the case for every ADHD person.

See a more technical definition of ADHD.

Learn about the different types of ADHD.

What does ADHD look like?

It looks different in everyone. Hyperactive, impulsive boys are easy to spot, but some boys and most girls are not hyperactive. Teens and adults usually learn to tame their hyperactivity, but may be “fidgety.” Hyperactive or not, ADHD people can focus at length on things of interest to them. They may seem very disorganized or forgetful, despite their insistence that they want to get things done and are doing their best.

For a more detailed answer, see our page on types of ADHD.

How is it diagnosed?

While the checklists provided on this site can help screen for the possibility of ADHD, an accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation. This is best done by one or more clinicians who have experience in ADHD and related conditions.

If you’re seeking help with a child, the first step should be an evaluation to see if your child’s struggles are greater than the norm by age and gender. In both child and adult clients, the examining professional should also explore whether related or similar conditions might account for the learning or behavioral difficulties.

Learn more about diagnosing ADHD.

Isn’t ADHD in children over-diagnosed and over-treated?

While it is certainly true that at times ADHD is inaccurately diagnosed or ineffectively treated, less than half of all children with ADHD are receiving treatment. With 7% or more of school age children meeting the criteria for ADHD, recent research has documented that less that 3% of school age children are being treated for ADHD.

Read more about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.

Can girls have ADHD? Or can a boy who’s not hyperactive have it?

ADHD is more common in boys by probably a 2:1 ratio but it does also affect girls. However, symptoms may be different in boys than in girls.

Eighty percent of boys have the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD. Children with the hyperactivity component of ADHD are more noticeable: they’re the ones who are most likely to be referred by schools for treatment.

However, 80% of girls have the primarily inattentive type of ADHD. Rather than bouncing off the walls, they are sitting quietly at their desks daydreaming – and missing out on the teacher’s instructions.

Find out about the various types of ADHD.

My child’s teacher says he has ADHD; should I believe her?

Teachers usually have the best interest of their students in mind. When a teacher sees a student who’s struggling to concentrate, it’s her responsibility to bring this to parents’ attention.

We do agree that teachers are not qualified to diagnose ADHD, but they are usually very good at knowing what behaviors are within the normal range for children, and what behaviors or problems fall outside the norm. Also, since the symptoms of ADHD must be present in two or more environments, information from teachers can be very helpful in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment for children with ADHD.