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The following is the official diagnostic criteria from the American Psychiatric Association manual. American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-IV) criteria for Attention Deficit (ADHD). This file contains American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM-IV) criteria for Attention Deficit (ADHD), which will now be broken into three distinct categories. This is provided for information purposes only. An accurate diagnosis is the important first step in addressing any needs; such a diagnosis can only be performed by a qualified professional who's familiar with the individual's history.

 

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder A. Either (1) or (2):

1.       Inattention: at least *6* of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:  

a.       often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities;

b.      often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities;

c.       often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him/her;

d.      often does not follow thru on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions);

e.      often has difficulties organizing tasks and activities;

f.        often avoids or strongly dislikes tasks (such as schoolwork or homework) that require sustained mental effort;

g.       often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school assignments, pencils, books, tools, or toys);

h.      is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli;

i.         often forgetful in daily activities;

 

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: at least *4* of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have  persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a.       often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat;

b.      leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected;

c.       often runs about or climbs excessively in situations where it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults)

d.      may be limited to subjective feelings of

e.      restlessness);

f.        often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.

g.       often blurts out answers to questions before the questions have been completed; often has difficulty waiting in lines or awaiting turn in games or group situations.

h.      Onset no later than age 7.

i.         Symptoms must be present in 2 or more situations (e.g., at school, work, and at home).

j.        The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

k.       Does not occur exclusively during the course of PDD, Schizophrenia or other Psychotic Disorder, and is not better accounted for by Mood, Anxiety, Dissociative, or Personality Disorder.

o    314.00 ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type if criterion A(1) is met but not criterion A(2) for the past 6 months.

o    314.01 ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if criterion A(2) is met but not criterion A(1) for the past 6 months.

o    314.01 ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria A(1) and (2) are met for past 6 months [note: should this be 314.02? It's not clear – RDF]

o    314.9 is ADHD NOS, for other disorders with prominent symptoms of attention-deficit or hyperactivity-impulsivity that do not meet criteria above.