Question:
When I was younger, children were diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit
disorder). Now my grandson has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder). What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?
Answer:
ADHD is now the preferred term for the biologically-based neurological
condition that was known as ADD until 1987. Before then children were
diagnosed as ADD with or without hyperactivity. There are commonly three
types of ADHD: (1) Inattentive (easy distractibility), but not hyperactive
or impulsive; (2) hyperactive-impulsive (both hyperactivity and
impulsivity), but not inattentive; and (3) combined (inattention,
hyperactivity and impulsivity). Instead of using types of ADHD, some just
describe a child’s symptoms.
It is important to understand that ADHD is still the diagnosis even if a
child is not hyperactive or impulsive. Children who have a pronounced
inability to pay attention can, and do, have ADHD and need to get help. A
diagnosis of ADHD needs to be made by a trained clinician.
