Core diagnostic criteria- age of
onset before 7 years. Either show
characteristics for innatention
and/or hyperactivity or impulsitivity.
A: Innattention has been
present for at least six months to
a point that is disruptive and
innapropriate
B: six or more of the following
symptoms of hyperactivity that
have been present for at least 6
months to an extent that is
disruptive and innapropriate
(fidgets, runs, climbs, won't sit
down etc)
B2: six or more of the
following symptoms of
impulsivity that have been
present for at least 6 months
to an extent that is disruptive
and innapropriate (blurt out
answers, trouble waiting,
interrupts, intrudes,
impairment in settings)
Prevalence-
behavioural patterns
found in 4-8% of
children and
diagnosed usually
before age 12.
There are three types-
combined, innatentive and
hyperactive-impulsive
Genetic concordance
is 70-80% for
identical twins
Overlap with autism- 50%
of autistic children have
ADHD, and 20% of ADHA
children have autism