The Signs and Symptoms
At some point, most children have difficulty sitting still or paying attention. But for children who have been clinically diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), these behaviors-and others-occur regularly, making life at school and home especially challenging. ADHD is a medically recognized disorder that makes it hard for children to control their behavior. For these children, each day can be a jumble of rapid-fire images, thoughts, and sounds. They may become bored very quickly and fidget or squirm constantly. Organizing their thoughts or waiting their turn can be unusually difficult for them. They may be disruptive in the classroom or at other gatherings of friends or family.

Without treatment, ADHD can have long-term effects on a child's self-esteem and his or her ability to make friends and succeed in school or work.