Disability Resources & Services

​ADD/ADHD                     

What is it?

• Neurocognitive/neurobiological disorder
• No cure
• Lifetime struggles
• Three central issues: distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity  

      Distractibility

• Shifts attention to environmental sounds (clocks ticking)
• Diverts attention to other classmates (shuffling, pens clicking)
• Sidetracked by internal thoughts (things to do, pressures, anxieties)

• Most visible sign: discomfort with quiet activities
• Excessive activity, restlessness
• Fidgets with hands or feet
• Squirms in seat
• Leaves seat in classroom, stands in back a lot
• Talks excessively and/or loudly

• Sudden actions, thoughts or ideas
• No consideration of impact on others
• Unaware of outcomes related to actions
• Interrupts others, difficulty waiting turn
• Intrudes on others, difficulty delaying gratification
• Engages in risk taking behavior
• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

• Appears to not listen
• Makes careless mistakes
• Unorganized, loses things
• Incomplete assignments
• Unprepared
• Forgetfulness
• Careless errors and messy work
• Excessive movement, fidgets and squirms
• Misses information due to excessive talking
• Has trouble working alone

Also see Academic Tips for ADD/ADHD