Deficit Attentional Disorder

It is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or Hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning in the everyday life, or the development of the child.

Inattention can be manifest in actions like wandering off task, lacking persistence, having difficulty sustaining focus, and being disorganized in general, and this is not due to defiance or lack of comprehension of what he has to do.

Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity in an inappropriate moment, or excessive fidgeting, tapping, or talkativeness. In adults, hyperactivity may manifest as extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their activity, just seeing or hearing him.

Impulsivity refers to hasty actions that occur in the moment without forethought and that have high potential for harm himself or others. It also reflects in the desire for immediate rewards or an inability to delay gratification.

Theses symptoms begin before the age of 12 and may be present in more than one setting. This means, it wouldn’t be valid if it only appears in the school, or in places where he has to be quiet and still,… it has to be a more generalized characteristic. But it can be manifest in different ways. When the child is a toddler, the hyperactivity is more present, and during elementary school years, inattention becomes more prominent and impairing.

We have to take into account the cultural-related differences in attitude towards these behaviours and the interpretation they are given.