Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD in Children

Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD in Children
NOTE: Consider a criterion met only if the behavior is considerably more frequent than that of most people of the same mental age.
A.	A disturbance of at least six months during which at least eight of the following are present:

1.	Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2.	Has difficulty remaining in seat when required todo so.
3.	Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
4.	Has difficulty awaiting turn in games or group situations.
5.	Often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed.
6.	Has difficulty following through on instructions from others.
7.	Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
8.	Often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another.
9.	Has difficulty playing quietly.
10.	Often talks excessively.
11.	Often interrupts orintrudes on others
12.	Often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him or her.
13.	Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home.
14.	Often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering possible consequences.

NOTE: The above items are listed in descending order of discriminating power based on data from a national field trial of the DSM-III-R criteria for disruptive behavior disorders.
B.	Onset before the age of seven.
C.	Does not meet the criteria for a pervasive developmental disorder.