Can some children with ADHD sit and concentrate quite well?

[ragged]

Someone told me yes, especially if they are quite intelligent, they learn to tune out the world quite well. So being able to sit still and focus very well doesn't necessarily rule out ADHD (she said). I can't find anything to confirm that online, though. Any thoughts?

A child in the class I support has ADHD and if he is engaged then he can sit for literally hours doing something yet he can't walk down the corridor without touching things.

Ta 4 reply.
When he's engaged does he seem to be completely tuning out everyone and everything else (ignores you completely if you talk to him)?

It's simply terrifying, how labels such as ADHD etc, are slapped on any child who is a tad more lively, boisterous or defiant; perhaps looking at ones own parenting, or lack of it, instead of jumping on any convenient semi-scientific option, could be wiser.
OP, every child has traits that fall under the 'ADHD' etc 'spectrum', doesn't mean they actually could be classed as having the 'condition'.
If a child can concentrate and is 'quite intelligent', he/she is just that, an intelligent child who sometimes/often acts up and tests his/her boundaries.

I just wanted to know if being able to sometimes sit and concentrate well necessarily precludes a diagnosis of ADHD. I appreciate MrTumble's reply to contradict that, but would like further agreement from others with direct experience or training (or references to detailed writeups on the 'Net).
TIA.

My DS has ADHD. He can sit and concentrate on his favourite activities for hours at a time - in fact it's hard to tear him away.

A developmental paediatrician, or sometimes a child psychiatrist, would have to diagnose ADHD and it would be based on observations made in at least two different environments. A casual observer would not be able to say whether or not a child had ADHD based on a single behavioural trait.

Rollmops I entirely disagree with your perspective there. ADHD is nothing to do with being 'lively, boisterous or defiant'. There are three subsets of AD(H)D, and the diagnostic process is not easy. It is not an easy label to attach to any child. They have to display at least 6 of the symptoms in 2 different settings for at least 6 months:

What are the symptoms of ADHD?
Attention difficulties

A child must have exhibited at least six of the following symptoms for at least six months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence.

* Fails to pay close attention to detail or makes careless errors during work or play.
* Fails to finish tasks or sustain attention in play activities.
* Seems not to listen to what is said to him or her.
* Fails to follow through instructions or to finish homework or chores (not because of confrontational behaviour or failure to understand instructions).
* Disorganised about tasks and activities.
* Avoids tasks like homework that require sustained mental effort.
* Loses things necessary for certain tasks or activities, such as pencils, books or toys.
* Easily distracted.
* Forgetful in the course of daily activities.

Hyperactivity

A child must have exhibited at least three of the following symptoms for at least six months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence.

* Runs around or excessively climbs over things. (In adolescents or adults only feelings of restlessness may occur.)
* Unduly noisy in playing, or has difficulty in engaging in quiet leisure activities.
* Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations where remaining seated is expected.
* Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms on seat.

Impulsivity

At least one of the following symptoms must have persisted at least for six months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence.

* Blurts out answers before the questions have been completed.
* Fails to wait in lines or await turns in games or group situations.
* Interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g. butts into others conversations or games.
* Talks excessively without appropriate response to social restraint.

A diagnosis is only given when the child is affected adversely in day-to-day situations. Being boisterous, lively or defiant are not acceptable diagnostic criteria.

My DD1 has ADHD traits, and the Learning Disabilities Nurse wants to have her formally assessed for ADHD. It won't make any difference to her education, because she already attends a Special school as she has a brain malformation. BUT

It is painful sometimes to watch a 4 year old girl physically clamp her hand over her mouth to stop the words getting out, because she has been told to 'wait' and she can't stop herself from talking.

I could go on, but it isn't what the OP has asked.

Here is a concentration excercises page, which states that children with ADHD can concentrate on tasks they find very interesting, but struggle with boring, repetitive tasks.

My DD1 has a concentration span of 30secs-2minutes for tasks, but can concentrate for over 20 minutes if she is using glue, or sand, which are highly tactile.

I'm sorry but reaching-pseudo-science would be a correct label for this.
Most children exhibit the listed behaviours from time to time and mostly because they are reaching out/want attention/being fed crap/etc.
Why the rush to label someone, what satisfaction could 'getting a diagnosis' bring?
Or would some parents be willing to do anything to subdue/control the unruly child even if it involves prescription meds?
I'm sure there are genuine cases out there but they are clearly a minority.

There use to be two diagnosis: ADD and ADHD. Recently they have stopped using ADD including children who would have previously been diagnosed with ADD under the diagnosis of ADHD.

TBH it sounds more like you are trying to wrtie a research paper then self diagnosing a child. At end of the day professionals are VERY reluctant to label children. I have been fighting the diagnosis system for a dx so that i can get some help and support for ds. The dr has said that he believes that reluctance to diagnose means that i will never get either, despite it being a clear case in his opinion. This has been backed up by SW, teachers and other dr's who have come into contact with him.

In terms of research I would recommend the search term ADD in view of this change in termonology.

Rollmops

My DD2 is 3.2. She displays some of the behaviours because, well, she is a 3 year old. She does not have ADD, or ADHD.

My DD1 is 4.11. She has most of those symptoms. The difficulties she has are acute enough that she cannot listen for long enough to hear instructions, cannot stop herself talking for long enough to concentrate, and frequently starts a new sentence before she has finished the first, and gets frustrated because we don't understand her. She cannot sit still for group activities without direct adult support and encouragement. I could go on.

DD1 gets attention. She is in a class of 10 children with 4 teachers. She is still like this at school.

That is the whole point. It is abnormal inattention and impulsivity and hyperactivity. Not simply 'attention seeking'.

My son has a formal diagnosis of ADHD and is able to concentrate for long periods when he is interested

I agree with Riven it is extremely difficult to get a diagnosis of ADHD. It took 12 years for my son although we knew there was some sort of problem from birth.

Thanks for replies.
DS is ....difficult. I thought ADHD should be ruled out because he can sit and concentrate so well, but I guess I need to rethink that. I don't especially want any kind of "diagnosis", thought it help me to know what I am dealing with.

ragged contrary to popular belief, most children with ADHD are 'treated' with behavioural strategies anyway, and most areas insist that parents are sent on parenting courses to ensure that parenting techniques are fully effective before considering medication. Also, medication is only considered when the AD(H)D/ADD is affecting the child so much in their home and school life that it is necessary to allow the child to learn.

If you google 'behavioural strategies ADHD' you will get some helpful pointers. This site may be useful.

this book has lots of strategies which will work with any kid whether they have any, some or none of the conditions listed on the cover. It is strategy based not this is how to diagnose.

Thanks, maybe I'll look at that book. I have been trying to work my way thru The Explosive Child which is brilliant, really, at confirming loads of things I had worked out for myself already the hard way. But it insists that you do homework and I am stuck on the "Regular Conflict situations" bit. I can't come up with a list... or rather, everything has potential to blow up so am not sure how to narrow it down, except to things that I am already taking Plan C with.... irk.

I think parenting books just end up doing my head in.

I havent read the explosive child but i do know that pin pointing ds' trigger points were difficult because he delays reactions to somethings. Eg he is sound sensitive and whilst he might appear to cope with a loud environment at the time he might then later absolutely flip becuase you suggest he eat his tea.

It can bee very difficult to pin point regular conflict situations in some children. In others it all seems to be regular trigger points (we had this in a phase with ds before I got the book)

Good luck - Although I find In the syndrome mix is a book I dip into and dipp out of. picking and chosing the bit i need. which is more useful for me, especially pre-ds getting sleep meds.

the other thing is, that a lot of adhd children actually have different chemicals in their brain, which is what makes them behave differently. the most common form of med given to adhd people is speed. if they are only 'badly behaved' or the parents just gave a dx without medical help, then giving them speed would make them go crazy.

the first day we gave med to dd was quite scary - we were hoping she would calm down, and be able to focus/listen etc, but were aware that a vv active child was about to take speed - if it didn't work we were dreading the day ahead!

dd is completely able to focus on things, if they get her attention, but she never, but never, stops fidgeting if not on meds. she also does ALL the things on those lists all the time in all places, but more to an annoying/difficult level than so excessive we can't manage her (though shopping and school can be a challenge on a bad day).