ADHD Symptoms Checklist – Top Signs in Children & Adults

Common ADHD symptoms in adults and children include hyperactivity, impulsiveness, inattentiveness, restlessness, and lack of attention to detail.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a psychiatric condition that occurs most commonly in children but also affects adults.

Typical markers of this mental disorder include difficulty remembering information, poor focus or concentration, lack of planning ability, difficulty staying attentive, avoiding distractions, and keeping order.

Symptoms vary in different individuals. Some individuals may be extremely focused and display goal-oriented behavior and impulse control in certain areas of their life but have difficulties in other areas.

Contrary to popular opinion, it is often difficult for doctors to accurately diagnose this condition and recognize symptoms. There may be cases of over-diagnosis, but there may also be cases of under-diagnosis.

If you think that you, your child or other loved one may have ADHD, it is important to consult with a medical professional for a proper diagnosis. The information on symptoms in this article is for reference only and not intended to help diagnose this serious psychiatric condition.

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ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosis

What are the common risk factors for developing ADHD symptoms and who is most likely to receive this diagnosis from their doctor?

Young boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than young girls.

Symptoms commonly begin to present between 3-6 years of age and the average age of diagnosis is 7 years. This disorder is also seen is roughly 4% of people over 18 years of age in the USA. [1]

Certain demographic factors affect the risks of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Children in English-speaking homes are 4 times as likely to be diagnosed with this condition than those who speak English as a second language. These differences may reflect epidemiological differences or may be more reflective of access to healthcare.

Socioeconomic status and household income is also a risk factor. Children in homes that earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level are at greater risk of being diagnosed with ADHD than those from higher-income homes.

Children of all races are affected by ADHD. Healthline reports that about 9.8% of Caucasian children, 9.5% of African-American children, and 5.5% of Latino children in the US are diagnosed with ADHD.

The number of diagnoses made in the United States are significantly increasing, especially over the past several years. This may reflect greater awareness of the disorder.

Between 2001-2010, the number of cases of ADHD in non-Latino African American girls increased by more than 90%.

The US states in the Midwest including Kentucky and Indiana have the highest rates of ADHD while western states like Nevada and California have the lowest.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following for children in the US between 5-17 years of age, between 2013-2015: [2]

• 14.2% of boys ever diagnosed with ADHD
• 6.4% of girls ever diagnosed with ADHD
• 10.4% ever diagnosed with ADHD

ADD vs ADHD Symptoms

There is some confusion about the distinction between ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD. What are the differences between these two conditions?

Dr. Ned Hallowell explains that “ADHD includes the symptom of physical hyperactivity or excessive restlessness–that’s the ‘H’.” [3]

ADD can be defined as an inattentive subtype of ADHD. Dr. Hallowell states that ADD is more common in females than males.

The lack of hyperactivity is often misdiagnosed as timidity or quietness. Even though there are differences in their precise clinical definitions, the terms ADD and ADHD are often used interchangeably.

Diagnosing and Treating ADHD Symptoms

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a complex condition that affects people their entire lives. There is a lot of ongoing debate and research into ADHD causation, clinical presentation, and treatment options.

This condition continues to be studied extensively, making it difficult even for doctors and clinicians to stay abreast of the most recent developments. [4]

Various hereditary and non-genetic factors are thought to contribute to ADHD development. This disorder is linked to significant impairments in overall function and poor long-term health outcomes.

There are a number of drug and non-drug-based treatment options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Currently, there is much interest in using the diet to prevent the onset of or treat the symptoms of ADHD.

However, all current options for improving function or managing symptoms of ADHD have shortcomings. While this condition continues to be widely studied, there is still a lot that researchers do not understand about its pathophysiology and best treatment practices.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham recommend focusing future efforts on developing new non-pharmacological interventions for managing ADHD symptoms. [4]

According to researchers from the University of Copenhagen, “Elimination diets and fish oil supplementation seem to be the most promising dietary interventions for a reduction in ADHD symptoms in children.” [5]

Dr. Ned Hallowell says that he does not consider an ADHD diagnosis to always be negative. He says that people with ADHD are often very creative, energetic, and original.

Diagnosed with both ADHD and dyslexia himself, Dr. Hallowell believes that this condition may actually be a blessing for some people if they learn how to “harness” it. [3]

ADHD Symptoms and DSM-5

DSM-5TM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th Edition) is the world standard medical classification system used to formally diagnose ADHD. It was released in 2013 by the APA (American Psychiatric Association). [6]

According to DSM-5, there are certain symptoms that qualify a patient for diagnosis of ADHD. Symptoms used to identify this condition in children and adults are grouped into three subcategories. These are:

• Inattentiveness;
• Impulsiveness;
• Hyperactivity;

DSM-5 mandates that in order for ADHD to be diagnosed, a certain number of recognized symptoms must be observed for at least 6 consecutive months. Symptoms must interfere with normal development and functioning of the individual.

For children to be diagnosed with ADHD, at least 6 recognized symptoms must be present for a minimum of 6 months and disrupt the normal progress of academic or social activities.

For adolescents 17 years of age and older to be diagnosed with ADHD, at least 5 recognized symptoms from DSM-5 must be present for at least 6 months. There must be evidence that symptomaticity inhibits participating in normal social, academic, or occupational tasks.

DSM-5 further mandates that at least “several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms” must be present before age 12 for ADHD diagnosis. Further, these symptoms must be present in at least two separate environments (school, home, work, social situations, etc.).

There must also be clear evidence that the symptoms being considered are not more-likely caused by schizophrenia, dissociative disorder, mood disorder, personality disorder, or other factors.

DSM5 Inattention Symptoms for Diagnosing ADHD

The following symptoms of inattention meet DSM-5 standards: [6]

• Often “losing” things that are necessary to complete undesirable tasks or activities;
• Often not finishing required school or work duties on time or at all;
• Often making mistakes due to not paying attention to instructions;
• Often avoiding or disliking tasks that require attention and focus;
• Often having difficulty keeping tasks or activities organized;
• Often failing to sustain attention of a task or activity;
• Often forgetting to keep appointments or promises;
• Often seeming to not be listening when spoken to;
• Easily distracted from focus by external stimuli;
• Often failing to pay attention to detail;

DSM5 Hyperactive/Impulsive Symptoms for Diagnosing ADHD

The following symptoms of impulsivity/hyperactivity meet DSM-5 standards: [6]

• Often blurting out responses before questions are finished;
• Often squirming, fidgeting, or tapping hands or feet;
• Often running or climbing when inappropriate;
• Often interrupting when others are speaking;
• Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn;
• Often unable to engage in playing quietly;
• Often leaving seat when inappropriate;
• Often moving about and “on the go”;
• Often talking too much;

Presentations of ADHD

There are three recognized presentations of ADHD according to DSM-5. They are Predominantly Inattentive, Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive, and Combined Presentation ADHD. [6]

Predominantly Inattentive ADHD

This type of ADHD is diagnosed when at least six DSM-5 inattention symptoms are noted but less than six hyperactivity/impulsiveness symptoms are present for at least six consecutive months.

Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD

This type is diagnosed when at least six DSM-5 hyperactivity/impulsiveness symptoms are noted but less than six inattention symptoms are present for at least six consecutive months.

Combination Presentation ADHD

This presentation is diagnosed when at least six DSM-5 hyperactivity/impulsiveness symptoms are noted and at least six inattention symptoms are present for at least six consecutive months.

The severity level can be classified further as Mild, Moderate, or Severe.

Mild ADHD presents with few if any, symptoms besides those required to make the diagnosis. Further, the symptoms should cause no more-than-minor disruptions of home, social, or professional functioning.

Moderate ADHD may be diagnosed when there are at least a few symptoms observed in addition to the minimum number required for diagnosis. The level of functional impairment in this classification can be from mild to severe.

Severe ADHD can be diagnosed when there are various symptoms in addition to the minimum number for diagnosis. This level of ADHD can also result from only a few additional symptoms that are especially severe. The level of functional impairment here should also be severe.

ADHD Signs Children Checklist

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects girls, boys, women, and men of all races, ages, and backgrounds.

However, children often express ADHD symptoms differently than adults. It is not always straightforward for doctors to recognize this disorder. [6]

Many children with ADHD remain impaired to some degree for the rest of their lives. However, it is important to remember that almost all children demonstrate some symptoms of ADHD periodically.

That is the reason that DSM-5 mandates that the symptoms must be observed for at least 6 consecutive months without full or partial remission occurring.

Understood.org provides the following possible signs of ADHD checklist for children between Preschool and Grade 2 ages: [7]

• Challenged by routine tasks like grooming, dressing, putting toys away;
• Needs excessive prompting or praise to complete routine tasks;
• Fidgeting or talking when stillness and quiet are expected;
• Difficulty sitting still during meals or group activities;
• Overreacting to what should be minor frustrations;
• Slow to act on directions, or ignores directions;
• Trouble recalling recently-learned information;
• Trouble transitioning between activities;
• Moving too fast to be attentive to details;
• Grabbing items without permission;

For children between Grade 3 and Grade 7, the list of possible symptoms also includes: [7]

• Difficulty starting on tasks, especially tasks that involve multiple steps to complete;
• Difficulty repeating what was just said, unless very interesting to them personally;
• Rushed assignments, messy work, poor attention to detail or quality;
• Speaks abruptly or without thinking words through first;
• Often works below potential at school or home;
• Often fails to complete tasks once starting;
• Difficulty remembering day-to-day tasks;
• Often loses commonly-needed items;
• Often seems to be “spaced-out”;
• Works on tasks too slowly;

ADHD Symptoms in Girls vs. Boys

Girls and boys display ADHD symptoms differently. Boys are much more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. In general, boys exhibit stronger recognizable signs of having the disorder.

Healthline reports that boys often display the stereotypical symptoms of ADHD like being physically aggressive, acting out in public, running, hitting, and being inattentive to what they are being told. [8]

Comparatively, girls are not as likely to display these stereotypical behaviors. Instead, they might demonstrate low self-esteem, chronic anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, a tendency to daydream, being withdrawn; or tending to engage in name calling, teasing, taunting, or other forms of verbal aggression.

According to Healthline, it is estimated that between 50-75% of ADHD cases in girls are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. It is not clear why this disorder manifests differently in young females and males. [1]

ADHD Symptoms in Teens and Adults

DSM-5 standards for diagnosing ADHD are not age-dependent. They are the same for every age group.

According to the ADHD Institute, “The DSM-5TM notes that although motor symptoms of hyperactivity become less obvious in adolescence and adulthood, difficulties persist with restlessness, inattention, poor planning, and impulsivity.” [6]

The differences between the ways children and adults express ADHD symptoms may be determined in part by individual levels of concepts like emotionality and self-concept.

A 2018 clinical study of 213 adults newly-diagnosed with ADHD reported, “Our model adequately characterizes the relations between and among clinically and therapeutically relevant symptoms in adult ADHD, thus potentially informing future therapeutic interventions by targeting the successful and flexible use of adaptive emotion regulation skills.” [9]

Adult ADHD Symptom Checklist

The following questions can help to guide you if you think you or another adult might have ADHD. People with ADHD would likely answer them positively.

• Am I easily distracted by noise, motion, or other external stimuli around me?
• Do I procrastinate about tasks that involve a lot of thought or planning?
• Do I lose interest in projects after the interesting parts are completed?
• Do I “tune out” other people when they are speaking to me?
• Do I squirm or fidget when having to sit for long periods?
• Do I often make careless mistakes at work or home?
• Do I have trouble focusing on mundane tasks?
• Do I act, speak, or shop impulsively?
• Do I forget appointments often?

Answering yes to some or all of the above questions does not necessarily mean that you have ADHD. The questions are just a starting point to help guide you as to whether you should seek professional medical advice or not.

There is significant interest in natural therapies and methods for improving ADHD symptoms. Some of these include meditation, yoga, dietary modifications, supplementation, increased physical activity, martial arts, time in nature, and many others.

Only a licensed medical professional can properly diagnose or treat ADHD. Self-diagnosis for any medical or psychiatric disorder can be very dangerous.

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