What is ADHD?

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder that affects 3-5% of American children. It can interfere with a person’s ability to plan, organize, and exercise age-appropriate judgment.

There are several types of ADHD: a predominantly inattentive subtype, a predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype, and a combined subtype. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, although the condition can continue into the adult years. (National Institutes of Health)

Some of the warning signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions, inability to organize oneself and school work, fidgeting with hands and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores, and homework unfinished, and having trouble paying attention to and responding to details.

While there is no cure for ADHD, most children (and later adults) are able to manage their symptoms with either behavioral support, medication, or a combination of the two. Behavioral therapy for ADHD may include simplifying tasks, adjusting the learning environment, setting achievable mini goals, and using a reward system. Common medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants that “wake up” the part of the brain that is not functioning properly and help individuals focus.

Download ADHD: Learning to Regulate Attention and Impulses (PDF) to learn more.

Groves Learning Center ignites success by providing diagnostic evaluations and neuropsychological assessments to students of all ages. We can help determine if a student struggles with executive functioning or if their challenges are related to underlying learning or attention deficit disorder. We also offer ADHD & executive functioning coaching, tutoring and speech-language therapy that sparks student confidence and empowers them to reach their brilliant potential.

Download Executive Functioning: Getting from Point A to Point B (PDF) to learn more.