Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a common disorder in children and adults that affects the ability to pay attention, stay still, and/or control impulses.

Although ADHD begins in childhood, sometimes it's not diagnosed until a person is a teen or until someone reaches adulthood.

Because ADHD is a broad category covering different things — attention, activity, and impulsivity — it can show up in different ways in different people. Some of the signs of ADHD are when someone:

• has difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
• has problems finishing tasks or assignments at school, work,  or home and jumps from one activity to another
• has trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
• loses or forgets things such as homework
• is easily distracted, even when doing something fun
• has problems paying close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
• has trouble organizing tasks and activities
• has difficulty waiting one's turn
• interrupts or intrudes on other people
• blurts out answers before questions have been completed
• fidgets with hands or feet or squirms about when seated
• feels restless
• talks excessively and has trouble engaging in activities quietly

Children with ADHD are talented, capable, and creative and given the right treatment, they grow up to become happy, accomplished, and successful adults.