🧭 What Is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition.
It affects how a person:
- Pays attention 👀
- Controls impulses ⚡
- Regulates activity levels 🏃
👉 It is usually diagnosed in childhood, but often continues into adulthood.
🧩 Key Symptoms
ADHD symptoms fall into two main areas:
🧠 1. Inattention
Difficulty with focus and organisation:
- Easily distracted
- Difficulty staying on task
- Forgetful in daily activities
- Frequently losing items
- Struggles to follow instructions
- Appears not to listen
⚡ 2. Hyperactivity & Impulsivity
- Fidgeting or restlessness
- Talking excessively
- Interrupting others
- Difficulty waiting turn
- Acting without thinking
- Feeling constantly “on the go”
🔍 Types of ADHD
📌 Predominantly Inattentive
- Main difficulty: focus and organisation
⚡ Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
- Main difficulty: restlessness and impulsive behaviour
🔄 Combined Type
- Both inattention + hyperactivity/impulsivity
🧬 Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause is not fully known, but includes:
🧬 Genetics
- Often runs in families
🧠 Brain Differences
- Differences in brain development and neurotransmitters
🌍 Environmental Factors
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Exposure to toxins (e.g. lead)
🛠️ Treatment and Support
💊 Medication
- Stimulant medications (help improve focus)
- Non-stimulant options available
🗣️ Behavioural Therapy
-
Helps with:
- Organisation
- Emotional regulation
- Managing behaviour
🎓 Education & Support
- School support plans
- Parent/carer training
- Support groups
⚠️ Important Understanding
❌ ADHD is NOT caused by:
- Poor parenting
- Lack of discipline
✔ It is a real neurological condition
🌱 Strengths of ADHD
Many people with ADHD may also have strengths such as:
- Creativity 🎨
- Energy ⚡
- Problem-solving ability 🧩
- Thinking “outside the box”
📊 Key Takeaways
✔ ADHD affects attention, behaviour, and activity levels
✔ It can continue into adulthood
✔ There are different types/presentations
✔ Treatment and support can greatly improve daily life
⚠️ When to Seek Support
Consider professional support if:
- Symptoms affect school, work, or relationships
- There are ongoing difficulties with focus or behaviour
🧠 Teaching Tip
To support learners:
- Use real-life examples (school, work, home)
- Compare types of ADHD
- Include interactive tasks (focus vs distraction)
- Add strength-based discussions
Chapter A1 – Module 1
Different Types of ADHD (Full Learning Module)
This module explains the three main presentations of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. These types describe how symptoms show up in different people. A person can have one type or a mix, and it can change over time.
🧠 The Three Main Types of ADHD
1. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
This type is mainly about focus and attention, rather than physical movement. It was often previously called “ADD.”
🔍 Main features:
- Difficulty staying focused on tasks
- Trouble following long conversations or instructions
- Often loses items (keys, phone, homework)
- Poor organisation and time management
- Easily distracted by noise or thoughts
- May appear “zoned out” or daydreaming
🧠 Everyday impact:
- Work or school tasks may feel overwhelming
- Instructions may need repeating
- Forgetfulness is common
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
This type is more about movement, energy, and impulse control.
🔍 Main features:
- Constant movement (fidgeting, squirming)
- Difficulty staying seated
- Talking a lot or speaking quickly
- Interrupting others in conversation
- Acting without thinking (impulsivity)
- Feeling “driven by a motor” inside
🧠 Everyday impact:
- Waiting turns can feel very difficult
- Sitting still for long periods is hard
- May struggle in quiet environments
3. Combined Presentation
This is the most common type.
🔍 Main features:
- Includes both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive traits
- Symptoms can vary depending on situation
- Some days focus issues are stronger
- Other times restlessness is stronger
🧠 Everyday impact:
- Challenges in both attention and impulse control
- Symptoms may feel inconsistent
- Can affect school, work, and relationships
⚡ Key Learning Points
🔄 ADHD is not fixed in one way
Symptoms can:
- Change over time
- Become less visible or more internal in adulthood
- Looks different depending on the environment
👧 Gender and diagnosis differences
- Inattentive presentation is more often diagnosed in girls
- Symptoms can be less noticeable in classrooms
- This can lead to a later diagnosis in some people
🧑 Adult ADHD changes in appearance
In adults, hyperactivity may not look physical anymore. It can become:
- Mental restlessness
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling unable to “switch off”
📌 Important Understanding
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning:
- It starts in childhood
- It affects how the brain regulates attention and activity
- It is not caused by laziness or lack of effort
🧠 Summary
There are three main presentations:
- Inattentive (focus-based challenges)
- Hyperactive-impulsive (movement and impulse-based challenges)
- Combined (both together)
Each person experiences ADHD differently, and support needs to be tailored to the individual.
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