Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) refer to a range of problem behaviours associated with poor attention span. These may include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity, as well as inattentiveness too short attention spend, don't listen to orders and advise and often prevent children from learning and socialising well. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is sometimes referred to as hyperkinetic disorder.

A child must have exhibited at least six of the following symptoms for at least three months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence:

Fails to pay close attention to detail or makes careless errors during work or play.
Fails to finish tasks or sustain attention in play activities.
Seems not to listen to what is said to him or her.
Fails to follow through instructions or to finish homework (not because of confrontational behaviour or failure to understand instructions).
Disorganised about tasks and activities.
Avoids tasks like homework that require sustained mental effort.
Loses things necessary for certain tasks or activities, such as pencils, books or toys.
Easily distracted.
Forgetful in the course of daily activities.

A child must have exhibited at least three of the following symptoms for at least three months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence.

Runs around, excessively climbs or behave very busy all day long over things. (In adolescents or adults only feelings of restlessness may occur.)
Unduly noisy in playing, or has difficulty in engaging in quiet leisure activities.
Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations where remaining seated is expected.
Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms on seat.

At least one of the following symptoms must have persisted at least for three months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence:

Blurts out answers before the questions have been completed.
Fails to wait in lines or await turns in games or group situations.
Interrupts or intrudes on others, likes ot jump into others conversations or games.
Talks excessively without appropriate response to social restraint.

Epileptic seizures can cause a child to become drowsy, impairing their attention. Epilepsy can also cause unusual behaviour and lead to abnormal perceptions. Hearing problems such as deafness or glue ear can make it hard for a child to follow instructions and make them appear inattentive. Reading problems, making it hard to complete tasks or follow instructions. Obsessive compulsive disorder leads to people following strange rituals that preoccupy their thoughts and distract their attention. Tourette's syndrome involves repetitive, involuntary jerking movements of the body and sudden outbursts of noise or swearing. Autism and Asperger's syndrome often lead to difficulties in understanding and using language. Prolonged periods of insufficient sleep, causing poor concentration.

Some children may be very active or be easily distracted or have difficulty concentrating. If these behaviours are relatively mild, they should not be considered a disorder.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) often occurs alongside other difficulties and is not the sole cause of problem behaviour. Children may exhibit temper tantrums, sleep disorders, and be clumsy. Other behavioural problems that occur with Attention deficit disorder (ADD) include:

confrontational defiant behaviour, which occurs in most of these kids. The child loses their temper, argues and refuses to comply with adults and deliberately annoys others.

conduct disorders occur in at least 25 per cent of children. The child may be destructive or show deceitful behaviour such as lying, breaking rules and stealing.

specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, occur in 25-30 per cent of children.

severe clinical depression occurs in about 30 per cent of children.

anxiety disorders occur in 30 per cent of children.

Brain injuries due to birth trauma or pre-birth problems. The brain structures believed to be linked to the development of ADHD are vulnerable to hypoxic damage during birth. The damage is caused by inadequate oxygen (QI flow) reaching parts of the brain while blood flow is reduced.

Environmental conditions:
Family stress.
Educational difficulties.

Observations to the assessment of a child with possible Attention deficit disorder (ADD). There is no single diagnostic test for Attention deficit disorder (ADD) so different sorts of information needs to be gathered, such as the following:
History of symptoms The precise nature of the difficulties, when they were first noticed, in what situations they occur, factors that exacerbate or relieve them.

Medical history
Risk factors that could predispose the child to Attention deficit disorder (ADD) include difficulties and risks in pregnancy and during birth, for example if the mother was in poor health, very young or drank alcohol or smoked or had an extended or complicated labour.

Several medical conditions are known to be associated with Attention deficit disorder (ADD). These include fragile-X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, G6PD deficiency, phenylketonuria and generalised resistance to thyroid hormone.

Accidents, operations and chronic medical conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and heart, liver and kidney disorders all need to be taken in to account. Also of possible relevance is any medication the child is taking, as well as any adverse reactions they have had to medication in the past.

Past psychiatric history:
Enquiring about any mental health problems the child has had can help rule out depression or anxiety being behind the symptoms.

Educational history:
This means the level of their ability and what specific difficulties they have, how they function within their peer group and get on with teachers, and any behaviour difficulties such as suspensions or exclusions.

Family history:
The mental and physical health of the child's parents and other family members can be relevant, particularly regarding the incidence of Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or depression. Less then 1% ahs the family history but this is one of the research data base.

Social assessment:
The family's social circumstances, such as housing, poverty, and social support may all have an impact on the child's behaviour. Less then 4 % has this problem but it should be taken into consideration.