Attention deficit disorder can have many causes. It is believed to
have a hereditary or genetic cause. It can also be caused by damage
to a fetus' brain during pregnancy, or to a child's brain at birth,
or after birth.
How Is Attention Deficit Disorder Diagnosed?
The signs and symptoms of attention deficit disorder are usually not
apparent in infants. It is most likely to become apparent when a
child is of an age where learning and instruction become emphasized
and a child begins to show difficulty with learning.
Usually, this is when a child is about 7 or 8 years of age or is in
the second or third grade of schooling.
Sometimes, however, signs and symptoms may appear during the infant
stage. These may include restlessness or problems with sleeping or
feeding.
Signs and symptoms may include:
1. On-going or habitual inability to pay attention
2. Easy, excessive distractibility
3. Lack of ability to organize
4. Excessive impulsiveness
5. Hyperactivity
6. Restlessness
7. Forgetfulness
A physician will ask many detailed questions about the child's
personal and family medical histories. He or she will observe the
child's behavior.
The physician will also perform a physical examination of the child.
He or she may recommend more extensive testing to rule out other
causes, or to identify any sensory or neurological disorders.
The physician may also refer the child to specialists for additional
testing or diagnosis.