The Connecticut ADHD Task Force: An Overview

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According to DSM-IV R (APA, 1994), the essential feature of ADHD is “...a persistent pattern of
inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity which is more frequent and severe than is typically
observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. Symptoms of ADHD must be
present before age seven years, and must interfere with developmentally appropriate social,
academic, or occupational functioning in a least two settings (for example, at home and at
school, or at home and at work).

Although symptoms of ADHD may be less noticeable as the person matures, or in novel, highly
controlled or reinforcing situations, symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or all
three, are usually present in at least two settings.

Associated features of ADHD, which vary according to age, developmental stage, and type, may
include “low frustration tolerance, temper outbursts, bossiness, stubbornness, mood lability
(changes), demoralization, rejection by peers, poor self esteem, academic underachievement and
problematic couple and family relationships.”

While the disorder is usually not diagnosed prior to school entry, problems often are noted before
age four. Males are diagnosed at least three times more often than females, although available
evidence indicates that females are probably underdiagnosed.

ADHD is often inherited. It is very common to find that relatives of a child with ADHD were, or
are, considered to be hyperactive, impulsive, inattentive, or all three, at school, in the
community, or at work.

The DSM-IV R attempts to clarify the diagnosis of ADHD by separating symptoms of inattention
from those of hyperactivity-impulsivity and denotes four separate types of ADHD. The new
diagnostic criteria for the three main types specify that symptoms must have been present before
age seven and have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and
inconsistent with the child’s developmental level (APA, 1994).

For the diagnosis of ADHD, Combined Type, six or more symptoms listed under the
Inattention criteria below, and six or more of the symptoms listed under HyperactivityImpulsivity
must have been met for a period of at least six months.

For the diagnosis of ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type, six or more symptoms
listed under Inattention, but fewer than six symptoms under Hyperactivity-Impulsivity must
be met for at least six months.

For a diagnosis of ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-impulsive Type, six or more
symptoms listed in the Hyperactivity-Impulsivity criteria, but fewer than six symptoms listed
under Inattention must be met for at least six months.

Additionally, there is a fourth type, ADHD, Not Otherwise Specified, in which there are
prominent symptoms from the Inattention and/or Hyperactivity-Impulsivity criteria lists, but
these are not sufficient to meet criteria.

If you have a child with a disability and have questions about special education law, please contact Joseph C. Maya, Esq., at 203-221-3100, or at JMaya@mayalaw.com, to schedule a free consultation.

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Source- Source: Conn. ADHD Task Force, Report on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Spring 2005, at http://www.ctserc.org/initiatives/teachandlearn/ADHD_report_5-2-05.pdf