There are a variety of causes for poor attention, concentration and impulse control. A partial list would include the following:

• Immaturity and slow psychological development

• Learning disabilities such as dyslexia

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Low thyroid

• Low motivation

• Lack of sufficient sleep

• Poor nutrition

• Boredom due to lack of challenge

If your child has had the symptoms of poor attention, concentration and/or poor impulse control for some time, you should have your child examined by his physician. In addition to a physical exam and appropriate lab tests, the physician may have the parents and teachers complete questionnaires about the child’s behavior. He may also refer you to a school psychologist or a mental health professional for further assessment. Depending on the outcome of the entire evaluation, one or several specific medical, educational or psychological recommendations may be given.

Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder

In the most current assessment guidelines published by the American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders IV (DSM4), the disorder is known as Attention Deficit Disorder and has several types including: (1) predominantly inattentive; (2) predominantly impulsive or (3) combined. Individuals with this condition usually have many (but not all) of the following symptoms:

Inattention:

• often fails to finish what he starts
• doesn’t seem to listen
• easily distracted
• has difficulty concentration or paying attention
• doesn’t stick with a play activity

Impulsivity:

• often acts without thinking & later feels sorry
• shifts excessively from one activity to another
• has difficulty organizing work
• needs a lot of supervision
• speaks out loud in class
• doesn’t wait to take turns in games or groups

Hyperactivity:

• runs about or climbs on things excessively
• can’t sit still and is fidgety
• has difficulty staying in his seat and bothers classmates
• excessive activity during sleep
• always on the "go" and acts as if "driven"

Emotional Instability:

• angry outbursts
• social loner
• blames others for problems
• fights with others quickly
• very sensitive to criticism