ADHD Screening & Diagnosis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that has two components. They are:
Attention deficit: this is an inability to focus. Often people with attention deficit are able to understand perfectly well, but can’t absorb information due to problems with memory, organization, focus and persistence.
Hyperactivity/impulsivity: this involves difficulty controlling impulses. People with ADHD are often restless, fidgety and overactive. They are also impulsive and will often act on thoughts and feelings without thinking about it first. This can be physical, such as a child dashing across a road in front of a car; verbal, such as saying something inappropriate in the middle of a conversation; or, cognitive, such as making an important decision before they have enough information.