Children are naturally dreamers. It's not unusual to find them staring out a window, lost in thought.
But if your child constantly has trouble focusing, there's a chance she might have the inattentive type of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).


How It's Different From Other Kinds of ADHD


Inattentive ADHD used to be called attention deficit disorder. Children who have it have a lot of difficulty paying attention. That's how you can tell it apart from two other types of the disorder.
  • Hyperactive-impulsive ADHDmakes kids appear to be in constant motion. Their bodies and mouths are always going, as if driven by a motor.
  • Combined ADHD is when a child has both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.



How Inattentive ADHD Is Diagnosed


A doctor will need to know if your child does at least six of these things in order to diagnose the condition:
  • Daydreams and becomes easily distracted
  • Misses important details or makes careless mistakes on homework and tests
  • Gets bored quickly and has difficulty staying focused
  • Has trouble getting organized (for example, losing homework assignments or keeping the bedroom messy and cluttered)
  • Doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to
  • Avoids tasks which require a lot of focus
  • Often loses track of things
  • Is forgetful in day to day activities
  • Has trouble following instructions and often shifts from task to task without finishing anything

The doctor may also suggest some testing to rule out conditions that can have similar symptoms, including:
  • Hearing or vision problems
  • Learning disabilities
  • Anxiety or depression


How to Help a Child With the Condition


If your child is diagnosed, his doctor may prescribe medication to improve his ability to concentrate.