ADHD and Children Who Are Gifted

Howard’s teachers say he only isn’t working up to his ability. He does not finish his assignments, or only puts down answers without showing his work; his handwriting and spelling are poor. He sits and fidgets in class, talks to others, and frequently disrupts class through interrupting others. He used to shout out the answers to the teachers’ questions (they were normally right), but today he daydreamings a lot and looks distracted. Does Howard have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is he talented, or both?

Oftentimes, bright kids have been adverted to psychologists or pediatrists because they showed certain behaviors (for example., Restlessness, inattention, impulsivity, high activity level, daydream) normally connected with a diagnosings of ADHD. Officially, the symptomatic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) (American Psychiatric Association) lists fourteen features that possibly found in kids diagnosed as having ADHD. At least eight of these characteristics must be present, the onset must be ahead age 7, and they must be present for at least 6 months.

DSM-III-R Diagnostic Criteria For Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder*
1. Frequently restlessnesses with hands or feet or squirms in seat (in teenagers might be limited to subjective feelings of fidgetiness).
2. Has difficulty staying on seated once asked to.
3. Is easily distracted by external stimulations.
4. Has difficulty waiting turns in games or group situations.
5. Frequently blurts out answers to questions ahead they’ve been completed.
6. Has difficulty putting through on instructions from others (not due to oppositional behavior or failure of comprehension).
7. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
8. Oftentimes shifts from one incomplete activity to another.
9. Has difficulty playing quietly.
10. Often talks overly.
11. Often disrupts or intrudes on others, for example., butts into other people’s games.
12. Oftentimes doesn’t look to listen to what is being said to him or her.
13. Frequently loses things essential for tasks or activities at school or at home (for example., toys, pencils, books).
14. Often engages in physically dangerous activities without thinking possible consequences (not for the purpose of thrill-seeking), for instance., runs into street without looking.

Almost completely from these behaviors, even so, might be found in bright, talented, creative, gifted children. Thus far, little attention has been given to the similarities and differences between the 2 groups, therefore raising the potential for misidentification in both areas-giftedness and ADHD.

Occasionally, professionals have diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through merely listening to parent or teacher descriptions of the child’s behaviors along with a brief notice of the kid. Other times, brief screening questionnaires are used, although these questionnaires only quantify the parents’ or teachers’ descriptions of the behaviors (Parker, 1992). Children who are fortunate enough to have a thorough physical evaluation (which includes screening for allergies and other metabolic disorders) and extensive psychological evaluations, which include assessment of intelligence, achievement, and emotional status, have a better chance of being accurately identified. A child possibly talented and have ADHD. Without a thorough professional evaluation, it’s difficult to tell.