What is ADHD? Attention, activity and impulsivity explained
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Prepared with AI assistance using the sources and clinic information linked in this guide. This article provides general information and does not replace an individual assessment or medical advice.
ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulties with attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity that interfere with daily life. It is not simply another name for being lively, distracted or disorganised.
ADHD can affect children and adults. Recognising it means looking at the pattern over time and across situations, rather than judging someone by a single lesson, meeting or difficult day.
What do attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity mean?
Inattention can involve difficulty staying with a task, following through or organising responsibilities. Hyperactivity may appear as frequent movement, excessive talking or feeling restless. Impulsivity can involve interrupting or finding it hard to wait before acting. Some people mainly experience attention difficulties; others have more difficulty with hyperactivity and impulsivity, or a combination. NIMH explains these core features.
For example, a child may repeatedly lose track of instructions, while an adult may struggle to organise several work tasks. These examples alone do not diagnose ADHD. What matters is understanding how often the difficulties happen, their history and the impact on the person.
Is ADHD the same as a lack of effort?
Difficulty completing a task does not tell you how much effort someone is making. A useful conversation asks what part is hard: starting, keeping track of steps, remembering the task or managing distractions. This is more informative than assuming the person does not care.
It is also possible to have attention difficulties for reasons other than ADHD. Sleep problems, anxiety, depression and learning concerns may be relevant, and some can occur alongside ADHD. An assessment needs to consider those possibilities.
How do professionals decide whether it is ADHD?
Diagnosis involves a professional evaluation of symptoms, development and their effect on functioning. It considers a longstanding pattern, including childhood history, and information from more than one setting. Questionnaires can contribute information, but there is no single score that settles the diagnosis. NIMH’s ADHD guide explains diagnosis and treatment.
For a child, information from caregivers and school may be useful. For an adult, the professional may ask about education, work and earlier experiences. Ask what records are helpful if you do not have old school reports; missing paperwork is a question to discuss, not a reason to diagnose yourself online.
What is the role of screening?
A screening questionnaire can highlight concerns worth exploring. It does not confirm ADHD or tell you exactly which support to choose. Follow the intended age group and instructions if you use the centre’s screening resources.
Bring everyday examples alongside any score. “We spend an hour organising the school bag and items still go missing” gives context that a number cannot. Our child ADHD assessment guide explains how parents can prepare for a more detailed conversation.
What can support involve?
Support may include psychological or behavioural strategies, parent guidance, school or workplace adjustments and medication where appropriate. The plan depends on age, assessed needs and circumstances. Medication requires a qualified prescriber; do not start or change it based on an article.
Ask the professional to connect the plan to an everyday goal. If homework is difficult, what will be tried, who will help and when will the plan be reviewed? If organisation at work is the concern, what would a useful improvement look like? A clear goal helps everyone understand the purpose of support.
ADHD assessment in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang
MY Psychology KK’s autism and ADHD assessment service is a starting point for enquiries. Tell the team whether the appointment is for a child or adult and briefly describe the concern. Confirm age suitability, the professional, language, quotation and report arrangements.
The centre’s ABA programme primarily supports autistic children. Its service page notes that behavioural strategies may help some children with ADHD, but that an autism-focused programme is not interchangeable with ADHD-specific treatment. Ask which service fits the assessed need.
Is ADHD the same as autism?
No. They are different neurodevelopmental conditions and can occur together. Similar-looking difficulties do not mean the same explanation applies. Our autism guide explains the other condition.
Do I need to be certain before enquiring?
No. You can begin with a question and examples of what is difficult. The professional can help clarify whether assessment is appropriate.