AD/HD is neurological based disorder affecting how one’s brain responds to external and internal stimulus. Exactly what causes AD/HD is still widely unknown and debated. AD/HD starts in childhood, although proper diagnosis may not occur until one’s own child receives the diagnosis. AD/HD does affect one to some extent throughout the span of the person’s life. However, researchers once believed children outgrew AD/HD; we now know this is not necessarily true. People do not outgrow AD/HD, but more likely learn how to control symptoms of AD/HD as they age and learn through personal life experience.

There are three main characteristics present in children diagnosed with AD/HD; are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and distractibility. Hyperactivity is over activity. The hyperactive child is essentially always in motion. Hyperactivity exhibits itself in many different scenarios such as the child who is fidgety, squirmy, highly intrusive, extremely disruptive, cannot stand or sit still, constantly running, inappropriately climbing on furniture, constantly is talking out of turn or interrupting others, is physical restless, has the bouncing leg, or blurts out the answer constantly without waiting for his or her turn. Children with AD/HD have great difficulty self-regulating and self-controlling their impulses and behavior.

Impulsivity is more associated with irritability and risk-taking behaviors. Impulsive behavior is especially dangerous for young males from age 12 through the early twenties when the risk taking behavior is often fronted with peer pressure and the trials of illicit drug and alcohol use. In true impulsivity, as seen in an AD/HD diagnosis, the child or teen is unable to stop and think before acting on the behavior. In AD/HD, impulsivity is not a conscious choice but more of a reaction. Impulsivity often rears its ugly head when one has difficulties establishing peer relationships. The AD/HD child is often quick to anger, and easily agitated or frustrated by peers.

Distractibility, also called inattentiveness, means one has difficulty staying focused, is disorganized, often forgetful, does not always follow instructions, or is easily distracted. This is especially true regarding mundane tasks an AD/HD child finds boring. When bored the AD/HD child will often rush through his or her work. This can lead to careless mistakes and poor grades, even when most AD/HD children are extremely intelligent and test above average.

Ironically, AD/HD children can easily multi-task, which means do multiple things at one time when it is something he or she enjoys. This ability to multi-task often confuses the non-AD/HD person or parents who feel the AD/HD child is at times choosing to be “lazy.” This is a myth; the AD/HD person is not lazy, simply because he or she can focus for hours on a fast moving video game, but is bored reading an assigned school book.

Although, the AD/HD child is often impulsive, hyperactive, and distractible, these are not always downfalls. By knowing a child's characteristics, the AD/HD child may simply need to have some classroom or home adjustments made to allow for his or her AD/HD personality. In other words by allowing the child to use his or her characteristics positively will benefit the child both at home and at school. Case in point, allow extremely hyperactive children to assist the teacher in and around the classroom. Ask the child to take attendance, communications, and lunch money to the office. Use the child’s energy to help pass out worksheets in the classroom, or when collecting papers is needed. At home, parents can ask AD/HD children to help set the table, pick up sticks in the yard, shred papers, wash the car, and walk the family dog. This allows a hyperactive child an outlet for his or her excess energy.

AD/HD people are usually very bright and highly creative. AD/HD people tend to problem solve by thinking out side the box. In a classroom where a child is easily distracted, consider having the child's desk away from classroom doors and away from the teacher's desk, as these areas are often the two of the busiest traffic areas. At home, make sure children have a quiet area to read or work on homework, away from the television. If helpful, allow him or her to use headphones and listen to music while working on school assignments or projects.

Adults often view an AD/HD diagnosis as something negative. Although there are some down sides to AD/HD, impulsivity, distractibility and hyperactivity, these behaviors do not have to rule a child's life. With consistent guidelines, strong parental and educator guidance, a regular schedule, and help in recognizing the disruptive AD/HD behavior, most children develop into responsible AD/HD adults. AD/HD is not an acceptable excuse for bad behavior or poor choices.