ADHD is a disorder that has three different types of symptoms: Difficulty paying attention or focusing on certain tasks, Being overactive (or hyperactive), Acting on impulse (without thinking). Children or teens with ADHD may: Get distracted easily and forget things often, Switch too quickly from one activity to the next, Have trouble following directions, Daydream too much, Have trouble finishing tasks like homework or chores, Lose toys, books, and school supplies often. Children may first develop ADHD symptoms at an early age (between 3 and 6 years old). However, ADHD is most often found and treated in elementary school (between 7 and 9 years old). ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity may get better as a child gets older. However, symptoms may not disappear completely and may continue into adulthood. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition characterized by inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity, are most frequently identified and treated in primary school. Population studies indicate that 5 percent of children worldwide show impaired levels of attention and hyperactivity. Boys are classified with ADHD approximately twice as frequently as girls, and primary school-age children approximately twice as frequently as adolescents. ADHD symptoms exist on a continuum in the general population and are considered a "disorder" to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the source of identification (e.g., parent or teacher), extent of functional impairment, diagnostic criteria, and the threshold chosen for defining a "case." The developmentally excessive levels of inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity characteristic of ADHD are present from an early age. However, preschoolers with early signs of ADHD may also have co-occurring oppositional noncompliant behaviors, temper tantrums, and aggression that overshadow symptoms of inattention and overactivity and confound the diagnosis. These behaviors may be given the more general label of disruptive behavior disorder (DBD), which includes oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD), as well as ADHD. This summary discusses the different types of treatment for ADHD. It explains what research says about how each treatment improves symptoms and the risks involved with each treatment. It can help you talk with the doctor about ADHD and your child.