ADHD Checklist: Screening for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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This ADHD checklist gives examples of what professionals use in determining if a child meets the criteria for having ADHD, also known as attention defecit hyperactivity disorder. A diagnosis of ADHD should only be done by a qualified professional. However, if you are a parent concerned about your child’s behavior and you think your child may need help, this list can help you determine if you should speak to a behavioral and mental health specialist or not.
It is important to remember while reading through this checklist that no two children are the same and that different children may exhibit difference behaviors for different reasons. This is why it is so important to speak with your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned he or she may have a problem.
Another important consideration are the two things that are used the most heavily when making a diagnosis: consistency of the behavior and the potential possibility of harm to self or others. Consistency means the behavior lasts in almost all situations and has occurred regularly typically for at least 6 months or longer. The potential harm to self or others for example could be that the child’s hyperactivity has led to trips to the emergency room for stitches or a broken bone.
That being said, here are some general guidelines of an ADHD checklist concerned parents can use to gauge if their child may have the condition and a professional evaluation is in order.
Inattentive Symptoms:
- Easily distracted by interruptions or things going on around him or her.
- Forgetful, often misplaces things or doesn’t remember what they did.
- When spoken to directly seems to ignore the person talking.
- Unable to begin a project and see it to completion without multiple prompts.
- Unorganized and has trouble organizing belongings or projects.
- Seems unmotivated to do uninteresting tasks or projects that require mental effort, such as school work.
Hyperactivity
- Has difficulty sitting still, even in situations where they are focused on an activity
- Stands up or leaves seat while eating dinner, during class, and in other situations where staying sitting is expected.
- Talks excessively and/or loudly
- Has difficulty relaxing or doing quiet activities
- Often engages in activities that may be inappropriate, such as running indoors, jumping on furniture, etc.
Impulsiveness
- Interrupts others conversations
- Intrudes on “personal space” of others
- Has difficulty waiting turns
Many children will often have a combination of the above symptoms, though some children can have inattentiveness without the hyperactivity and the hyperactivity without the inattentiveness.
Again, it is important that you assess the behavior in the circumstances and situations it occurs. Many children will display some of these characteristics of ADHD from time to time, simply due to environmental factors and as a normal part of child development. However, if these symptoms are present regardless of environment or occur very often and daily then it may be time to speak to a behavioral or mental health specialist. Speaking to your child’s pediatrician is a great resource to begin with if you believe that your child exhibits several of the symptoms listed on this ADHD checklist.