Adhd Details

What causes ADHD?
ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is a neurobiological developmental disorder
No-one knows for certain what causes ADHD, and it is possible that a
number of factors, both genetic and environmental, may contribute to
its development.
ADHD comes with a number of positive as well as negative attributes.
It is only when the negative attributes are very disruptive for the
individual that they negatively impact everyday living.
Genetic studies, including family, twin and adoption studies, show
ADHD is a highly heritable disorder. No single ADHD gene appears
responsible for causing ADHD. Instead, research suggests it is likely to
result from number of interacting genes. Expression of these genes is
thought to result in alterations in brain structure, neurochemical
composition and availability, and brain connectivity and function.
It is estimated that ADHD effects around 5% of the Australian
population, that is about one in 20 people or about 1 million
Australians.
ADHD is one of the most researched neurobiological developmental
disorders in the world and while it may come with some controversies
in regards to the various treatments available, it is with continued
research we will understand more.
We would encourage you to get the 'ADHD Facts' and take a closer
look within our 'Research' section of our website.
There are various research projects being undertaken within Australia
and we would encourage those who are able to participate in these
research studies. More about these research studies can be looked up
in our 'Research Participation News' section of the website.
Should I disclose my ADHD to my workplace?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which has both
negative and positive aspects but unfortunately there are alot of myths going around which really gets in
the way of what the evidence is saying about it.
ADHD Australia has gathered a short factsheet on the top myths being touted about and busts them
with the facts.
To find out more and about the myths and to get the real facts about ADHD, CLICK HERE to download
the Myths vs Facts information sheet.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects about one in

twenty Australians, that’s about 1 million people, but is frequently
misunderstood and under-diagnosed. Key features are inattention,
distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and it may also be linked
to other co-ocurring mental health conditions. Untreated ADHD can
cause lifetime impairment; however there are effective ways of
managing ADHD.
ADHD is diagnosed using criteria outlined in the 'Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition' (DSM-5) by
the American Psychiatric Association. To be diagnosed with ADHD
the symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity:
 need to be excessive for the developmental age of the

individual
 need to be present before the age of 12
 must have persisted for longer than 6 months
 must contribute to impairment across multiple settings i.e.
home, school, childcare, work, etc.
There are three types of ADHD

Hyperactivity type
Hyperactive behaviours can include:
 running off at school

 climbing up furniture, trees, fences in an unsafe manner
despite being asked not to do so (preschool, primary school)
 not remaining seated in the classroom
 constant chatter or talking too loudly and at the wrong times
 interrupting other people’s conversations because unable to
wait
 difficulty getting to bed, staying in bed, or getting to sleep at
night
 throwing things in the classroom without thinking (e.g. balls)
and therefore breaking windows or furniture by accident.
Inattentive type
Inattentive behaviours can include:
 does not seem to hear you when you ask them to do something
(needing to ask a number of times to get a response)
 not following through on what you ask, despite agreeing to do
so (e.g. put your bag away)
 easily distracted from a task by noises or own thoughts (hard
to keep attention on the task at hand)
 daydreaming in class so that important instructions or
teachings are missed
 not following safety instructions (e.g. “Stop the scooter at the
corner”)
 losing important belongings (e.g. school jumpers, library books,
lunch boxes, travel passes, school permission notes, phones
and chargers)
 forgetting to bring homework books home
 forgetting to do homework or return homework to school
 not looking after important belongings (e.g. homework or
school photos crushed in school bag, lids left off glue)
 starting a task but not completing it, often due to getting
distracted or bored
 messy and dis-organised bedroom (e.g. drawers and doors left
open, rotting food in old lunchboxes)
 leaving doors and windows unlocked if last to leave home
(teenagers)
 losing track of time and regularly running late / poor sense of
time.
Combined type
This is the most common form of ADHD.
People with combined symptoms tend to display both inattentive and
hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Other behaviours identified

Impulsive behaviours can include:
 being disruptive in class, perhaps trying to entertain people

 starting an activity without thinking through the consequences
 rushing through activities without doing them properly in order
to get them done (e.g. homework)
 impulsively speaking without realising the comment might be
inappropriate
 difficulty keeping secrets when asked
 difficulty tolerating boredom (opting for stimulating activities)
 getting excited about something new then quickly losing
interest
 difficulty persisting with activities that require commitment
and practice unless very interested (e.g. learning an
instrument or language, maths practice)
 overeating and making poor food choices
 smoking or drinking or impulsive sex (in teenage years)
 running up bills for excessive phone use or TV/music
downloads
 careless spending of pocket money or other savings
 difficulty resisting the stimulation of social media, internet, TV
and gaming
 engaging in risky impulsive activities, typically when revved up
in the company of friends (e.g. train-surfing, shopping trolley
joy-rides, shoplifting minor items).

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What causes ADHD?

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and is a neurobiological developmental disorder

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects about one in

 need to be excessive for the developmental age of the

There are three types of ADHD

 running off at school

Other behaviours identified

 being disruptive in class, perhaps trying to entertain people

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