A.D.D./A.D.H.D. Possible Causes and Diagnosis

What Causes Attention Deficit Disorder?

Attention deficit disorder can have many causes. It is believed to have a hereditary or genetic cause. It can also be caused by damage to a fetus' brain during pregnancy, or to a child's brain at birth, or after birth.

How Is Attention Deficit Disorder Diagnosed?

The signs and symptoms of attention deficit disorder are usually not apparent in infants. It is most likely to become apparent when a child is of an age where learning and instruction become emphasized and a child begins to show difficulty with learning.

Usually, this is when a child is about 7 or 8 years of age or is in the second or third grade of schooling.

Sometimes, however, signs and symptoms may appear during the infant stage. These may include restlessness or problems with sleeping or feeding.

Signs and symptoms may include:

1. On-going or habitual inability to pay attention

2. Easy, excessive distractibility

3. Lack of ability to organize

4. Excessive impulsiveness

5. Hyperactivity

6. Restlessness

7. Forgetfulness

A physician will ask many detailed questions about the child's personal and family medical histories. He or she will observe the child's behavior.

The physician will also perform a physical examination of the child. He or she may recommend more extensive testing to rule out other causes, or to identify any sensory or neurological disorders.

The physician may also refer the child to specialists for additional testing or diagnosis.