First things first: what exactly does the abbreviation stand for? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. So not "Alle Dagen Heel Druk", the Dutch play on words meaning "busy all day long", as it is sometimes jokingly called. It is in fact an innate attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity and impulsivity.
What is ADHD?
Many children can be inattentive, impulsive or boisterous, but in children with ADHD it is about the persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity and the limitations this creates. In other words, there must be clear evidence of significant limitations in social, academic or occupational functioning.
Studies are not yet conclusive about how common it is. ADHD is thought to affect one child in 20. The diagnosis is made by a doctor, preferably a child psychiatrist and/or a multidisciplinary team.
ADHD subtypes
- Type 1: Predominantly inattentive presentation - attention problems but little or no hyperactivity and impulsivity
This type is also known as ADD. These children often fail to pay enough attention to detail. They find it hard to keep their attention on a task and are easily distracted. As a result, they also make mistakes easily in schoolwork or other activities. What is more, these children are often forgetful in daily activities and are not good at organising themselves. Sometimes it seems as though they are not listening. With this subtype, the main thing people notice is that results at school often do not match the child's abilities.
- Type 2: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation - severe and persistent impulsivity and hyperactivity but little or no attention problems
These children display physically and/or verbally restless and impulsive behaviour. This also has an impact on the child's social life. He or she imposes on others, often disrupts other people's activities, and so on. As the child grows older, this behaviour turns into inner restlessness.
- Type 3: Combined presentation - attention problems, difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity and/or impulsivity
This type actually matches the definition of ADHD, and it is also the