The key characteristics of attention difficulties and/or hyperactive behaviours - e.g., attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are those such as: poor attention control, impulsiveness, becoming easily distracted and a high activity level.

 

A child should be referred for assessment if: 

• his/her patterns of attention/and or hyperactive difficulties interfere with functioning or development

• they demonstrate symptoms in more that one setting

• symptoms negatively impact social, academic, or work functioning in a direct way

 

Note: some symptoms must present before age 12.  

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Attention difficulties and/or hyperactive behaviours can be seen at times in all typically developing
children so it is important to consider the following prior to making a referral for assessment:

 

• Child’s developmental age  - e.g. children under the age of 18 months are generally not formally assessed for attention difficulty and/or hyperactive behaviour; attention span and self-regulation naturally varies in early childhood years

• Situational factors such as stress, time of day, boredom, sleep and diet

• Environmental factors such as family disruption, life changes and cultural influences

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If the child consistently presents any of the following behaviours, consider this a red flag:

 

Ages 18 months to 5 years
► Unable to concentrate or pay attention for periods of time
► Restless or unable to sit still
► Poorly co-ordinated or clumsy
► Shifts quickly from one activity to another

► Wanders away

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Ages 4 to 6 six years
► Easily distracted e.g. has difficulty paying attention or listening to the speaker, easily sidetracked
► Excessive levels of activity i.e. hyperactive e.g. has difficulty sitting still, fidgets often regardless of activity
► Impulsive e.g. runs into traffic, takes risky actions without thinking, has difficulty taking turns, interrupts/blurts things when asked not to, talks excessively
► Disorganized e.g. has problems organizing personal belongings, loses things often, has difficulty following schedule or difficulty remembering routines/explanations