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Math-Drills.com includes over sixty-four thousand free math worksheets that may be used to help students learn math. Our math worksheets are available on a broad range of topics including number sense, arithmetic, pre-algebra, geometry, measurement, money concepts and much more. There are two interactive math features: the math flash cards and dots math game.

Math-Drills.com was launched in 2005 with around 400 math worksheets. Since then, tens of thousands more math worksheets have been added. The website and content continues to be improved based on feedback and suggestions from our users and our own knowledge of effective math practices.

Most Math-Drills users are classroom teachers or parents. Classroom teachers use our math worksheets to assess student mastery of basic math facts, to give students extra math practice, to teach new math strategies, and to save precious planning time. Parents use our math worksheets to give their children extra math practice over school breaks and to enhance their math education. Home schools use our math worksheets in their programs to develop and strengthen math skills in their children.

Most Popular Free Math Worksheets this Week

Supporting Student Learning with Free Math Worksheets by Math-Drills

Math-Drills believes that education should be accessible to all children despite their socioeconomic situation or any other factors. Since it began in 2005, all the math worksheets on Math-Drills have been free-to-use with students learning math. The Math-Drills website works well on any device and worksheets can be printed or used on a screen.

Math-Drills worksheets are also used in special education, adult education, tutoring, colleges, high schools, prisons and a variety of other situations. Special education teachers especially like that we break down math skills and provide large-print options. Adult learners appreciate the simple uncluttered format that our worksheets offer. Tutors use our math worksheets to reduce their costs and focus on student learning. High school, college and university educators sometimes need remedial resources for students to allow them to continue with more advanced topics.

Students who practice their math skills with our math worksheets over school breaks keep their math skills sharp for upcoming school terms. Because we provide answer keys, students are able to self-assess and use the immediate feedback provided by an answer key to analyze and correct errors in their work. Our interactive (fillable) math worksheets allow them to fill in their answers on the screen and save or print the results.
Math-Drills.com Tour on YouTube.
Join the Math-Drills Newsletter

Join our newsletter to find out about new math worksheets and other information related to the website.

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Math-Drills includes over 58 thousand free math worksheets for students in elementary and middle school. Our easy to print math worksheets are free to use in your school or home.

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Interventions for struggling readers

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Keeping students on task- differentiating behaviour 

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Keeping students on task- differentiating behaviour 

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Differentiation for Exceptionally Able Students 

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Differentiation for Exceptionally Able Students 

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Differentiating Instruction: It’s Not as Hard as You Think

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Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks free from your library using the BorrowBox app. Say hello to your future library, wherever you are, whenever you are free.

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IXL offers online English practice, with thousands of topics for junior infants through sixth year. Have fun learning grammar, writing, vocabulary, reference skills and more.

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Book Creator - Love Learning - Book Creator app

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Teachers love it. Students love it. Book Creator is the simplest, most inclusive way to create content in the classroom.

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Secondary school resources for Dyslexia 

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Secondary school resources for Dyslexia 

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Dyslexia Association Ireland | Supporting Children & Adults with Dyslexia

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Our vision is a dyslexia friendly society. Where everyone with dyslexia is enabled to fulfil their potential.

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Indicators of dyslexia at different stages 

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Indicators of dyslexia at different stages 

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Secondary school resources for Dyslexia 

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Secondary school resources for Dyslexia 

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PDST Post Primary Literacy Resource for Teachers 

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PDST Post Primary Literacy Resource for Teachers 

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SEN Teacher is amongst the oldest teaching resource sites and has over 300,000 regular users. Our learning materials are free to share and use in schools or at home. The Print tools on SEN Teacher allow you to create, adapt and share teaching resources for a wide-range of abilities.

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FÍS is a successful film project currently thriving in primary schools across Ireland. The initiative encourages children to explore the medium of film in the primary classroom developing essential skills in moving-image literacy, communication, teamwork, visual arts and even numeracy ... oh yes, and it's also lots of fun!

The FÍS methodology empowers teachers and children to explore the medium of film and digital media in the primary curriculum. FÍS helps develop many different areas of the primary curriculum and in particular develops active learning, creative thinking, language, imagination, collaborative learning and problem solving skills as well as giving children hands-on experience of using creative technology as part of the film making process.

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The FÍS Film Project is a wonderful example of a project that encourages creativity and imagination among children and their teachers in Irish primary schools. Organised jointly by PDST Technology in Education and Dun Laoghaire Institute for Art, Design & Technology (IADT), the project culminates each year in the annual FÍS Film Festival where 25 films are shortlisted for awards in what is essentially an "Oscars" ceremony for Irish schoolchildren.

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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Teachers

Spelling Shed is made by teachers, for teachers and was developed in the founder's classroom. We have built a suite of tools to enable teachers and schools to manage pupils' data, including reporting on assessments. Spelling Shed tracks student game plays along with their responses. Teachers can monitor weekly activity in order to advance or remediate as needed.

Our platform enables learning to happen anywhere and everywhere giving educators the peace of mind that pupils can learn and get practice unhindered.

Our administration tools also allow groups of schools to manage school data centrally.

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Proudly powered by EdShed, Spelling Shed includes a whole-school spelling scheme, web & mobile games and a teacher hub with homework and data.

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Storybird - Read, write, discover, and share the books you'll always remember.

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Become a better writer with Storybird's creativity tools. Online courses, challenges, and reader feedback will help you improve your writing.

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Teachers

Spelling Shed is made by teachers, for teachers and was developed in the founder's classroom. We have built a suite of tools to enable teachers and schools to manage pupils' data, including reporting on assessments. Spelling Shed tracks student game plays along with their responses. Teachers can monitor weekly activity in order to advance or remediate as needed.

Our platform enables learning to happen anywhere and everywhere giving educators the peace of mind that pupils can learn and get practice unhindered.

Our administration tools also allow groups of schools to manage school data centrally.

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Proudly powered by EdShed, Spelling Shed includes a whole-school spelling scheme, web & mobile games and a teacher hub with homework and data.

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Numeracy

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Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

The challenge is to use the numbers available and the four standard operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) to hit the target.

Start by choosing any six cards. The top row always contains the numbers 25, 50, 75 and 100, and the bottom row contains the numbers 1 to 10. Alternatively you could click on "Quickstart". Then click on "Generate new target" and the computer will choose a target.

You can only use each card once in your solution, and it is always possible to find a solution.

You may like to explore different levels of the game using the Settings menu (the purple cog).

Once you've had a go, click on "Show solutions" to show some possible ways in which the target can be reached.

You may also like

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md number operations and calculation methods

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Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

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Topmarks- some excellent math's games here very suitable for distance learning 

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Topmarks- some excellent math's games here very suitable for distance learning 

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Topmarks: teaching resources, interactive resources, worksheets, homework, exam and revision help

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Searchable site of thousands of quality teaching resources, interactive resources, homework, exam and revision help. Useful for teachers, pupils and parents.

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iPad apps for Learners with Dyscalculia 

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iPad apps for Learners with Dyscalculia 

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PDST Place Value, Decimals and Percentages 

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PDST Place Value, Decimals and Percentages 

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10 Best Math Tools for High School Students | Common Sense Education

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10 Best Math Tools for High School Students is a list of 10 apps, games, and websites curated by Common Sense Education editors.

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3 minutes

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100 squares full of traps and tricks...Roll the dice and try your luck! Ladders will take you up but Snakes will take you down! Are you afraid of serpents? No problem! This game is two versions in one - just choose your game mode. You can play against a computer, or two players can compete against each other.

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Roll the dice and try your luck! Ladders will take you up but Snakes will take you down!

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SESS Functional Language and Communication 

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SESS Functional Language and Communication 

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101 Ways to Teach Children Social Skills 

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101 Ways to Teach Children Social Skills 

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MGLD Curriculum Communication and Language 

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MGLD Curriculum Communication and Language 

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Resource Pack with OT ideas for older primary children 

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Resource Pack with OT ideas for older primary children 

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Sensory Processing Resource Pack for Schools 

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Sensory Processing Resource Pack for Schools 

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MGLD Curriculum Communication and Language 

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MGLD Curriculum Communication and Language 

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SESS Functional Language and Communication 

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SESS Functional Language and Communication 

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Leeds Community Healthcare - Page not found

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Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust’s (LCH) official website, serving the public in Leeds and providing health services to patients.

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Understanding the Autistic Spectrum including some ideas to help main difficulties associated with the diagnosis 

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Understanding the Autistic Spectrum including some ideas to help main difficulties associated with the diagnosis 

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Amazing Things Happen - by Alexander Amelines

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Making choices - Building Capacity Resource

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A valuable way of promoting empowerment and autonomy is to allow the child to make choices.

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Temple Grandin Great tips to help during Corona Virus

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Temple Grandin Great tips to help during Corona Virus

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Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays

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Parents who are working at home during the coronavirus quarantine face many challenges. But the boundaries between work and home life are blurred even more when your child has autism. To commemorate National Autism Awareness Month in April, international autism expert Temple Grandin spoke to Parade.com about how parents and caregivers can help their families thrive during this unprecedented time of isolation.

Grandin, Ph.D., professor of animal science at Colorado State University, a noted lecturer on the topics of animal science and autism, knows that children and adults with autism often have difficulty adjusting to changes, surprises, transitions and disappointments. This is exacerbated during this time of uncertainty amid the global health crisis. And with new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealing 1 in 54 schoolchildren are being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, it has never been more important to intervene early to help them learn life skills.

As such, she has a great deal of advice to help children on the autism spectrum cope with our new, ever-changing daily routines. "The best thing you can do as a parent is to get your son or daughter on a schedule, and put structure in all of your lives, to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the day," Grandin said. "That schedule will help an autistic child stay focused and on task. We don't want them laying around sleeping all day and we don't want them slouching around in their pajamas."

The bestselling author is well-aware that adaptation is often easier said than done, especially for someone with ASD. She, too, is adapting. She can usually be found traveling around the world speaking to large groups of educators, therapists, parents and community leaders, to spread the message of awareness and acceptance for our loved ones with autism and other special needs. She's known for attracting thousands of participants to venues around the world, but her speaking events have been canceled since March 11 because of the COVID-19 crisis, and it is unclear when they will resume and what changes will be put in place for our collective safety.

Now, the 72-year-old is staying at her home in Colorado with the help of friends bringing her food. "I'm doing all kinds of things," she said of her recent routine. "I am updating the third edition of my animal welfare book Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach. My science research is keeping me busy and occupied. I learned there were some existing medications in the pharmacies that could be repurposed that could work and that made me less fearful. It is going to be interesting to see what happens with the conferences that I am involved in through universities, Future Horizons and other venues. One possibility I can foresee is quarantined exclusion zones. I recently talked to an agent about a conference in Wisconsin and we discussed having local teachers going to a meeting because the area has been cleaned up and then I would have to interact with them online."

At a time when we all need to be kinder and more accepting of one another, here are seven tips from Grandin on how we can help our loved ones with autism during this global health pandemic.

1. Set a schedule

"Routine, schedules and figuring out what helps you cope. First, you need to make a new routine. You convey to your children that they are going to get up and get ready for school, just like we always have, even though we are doing it at home. After breakfast and getting dressed, go and do schoolwork and homework. Have lunch and then after lunch get some exercise by going for a walk, as long as you practice social distancing. I advise working on the schoolwork in the morning when the child is fresh. Then tell them, 'we are going to have lunch together, and then we can do a board game or a puzzle. We will take a walk or do some other exercise.' And then he or she can have one hour of downtime on a device where the child gets to pick what he wants to watch. Just one hour a day. I don't like binge-watching, so I recommend maybe one or two episodes of a favorite show a day. I also feel like us living together in such close proximity is like living in the space station in which everyone requires their alone time to read a book or work on their laptops-we all need a bit of this as well."

2. Show no fear

"One of the first things is for parents not to show fear. It is also important to put [the health crisis] in perspective using language that the child will understand. We can compare it to a storm that you have to hunker down for; except this is a longer storm. Explain that we will have a schedule, we will do our work, schoolwork or homework, play some games and watch movies as a family, and when we do things together it will help keep us safe."
Related: 10 Important Life Lessons That I Learned From My Son With Autism
3. Fun over fear

" Board games are great. And with all the TV shows and movies there are to watch, take turns choosing them for movie night. So, if there are two adults and a child in the home, the child gets to pick the movie every third night. And each of you has to sit through all of the movies. Watching the movie and playing games are more than entertainment. It helps with turn-taking and gets your mind off the fear. It goes back to the Jaak Panksepp emotional systems. You have fear, anger, separation distress, nurturing, hugging, sex and play. You also have 'seek' (the urge to explore where you engage your mind). So, when I'm looking up and reading studies online about medications for COVID-19, I'm doing 'seek' and that turns off the fear. So, when you and your child are making cookies, figuring out how to make cookies turns on the seek emotion and turns off the fear emotions. All animals and people have them. I mention them in my book Animals Make Us Human, and it is in my talk that I did on zoo animals."
Related: Hallmark Star Holly Robinson Peete Celebrates Family, Team Building and Changing the Face of Autism
4. Get involved in their video therapy

"I'm really worried about young children ages 2 and 3 who can't get speech therapy and other vital services. That's really bad because the younger you can work with these kids, the better the outcome. So, if a 3-year-old goes 6 months without therapy, that could be detrimental. And there isn't a really good answer to what to do about it because you can't do that work online, it requires one-to-one interaction. You could have a therapist assess your child and give you advice about some work to help them do online, but the fact is those children need a lot of hours of one-to-one therapy. One recent option that I've seen was a therapist doing a videoconference in which the parents are coaching the child and the therapist was helping the parents."
Related: Sesame Street's Stacey Gordon Says Playing Julia, the Muppet With Autism, 'Feels Like a Magical Dream'
5. Limit the news to one hour per day for teens and adults with autism

"That's plenty of news, and let's not watch it in the morning. Many of us have work to do and the children have schoolwork to do."
Related: Author Judith Newman Opens up About Autism: 'Love the Child You Have and Meet Them Wherever They Are'
6. Put it in perspective

"I think we can explain that we will get through this as individuals, families, communities and a nation. And there are things we need to do to be careful, like staying home, keeping our homes clean, engaging in social distancing and other safety measures, including washing our hands and using hand sanitizer."

"[For kids worried about canceled plans, school activities or future vacations], you explain that Disneyland is closed right now. Movie theaters are closed right now. I went by a movie theater the other day and the little glass cases where they put the posters were empty. You explain that our stuff got canceled, too. Our work and my speaking engagements were canceled. You've got people who can't pay their bills. The people I feel the sorriest for are the ones who are financially strapped. We have storms and floods that are dangerous and we have to take precautions and we have to do this right now. But it will get solved."

7. Stay social and stimulating-no slouching!

"I would suggest getting your child online with some friends from school on Zoom or calling them on the phone. It's something specific, something they can look forward to and it doesn't cost money. Let's keep to our schedule and take the child who is getting bored and find some grown-up literature on history, politics, science, or anything else that piques their interest. And absolutely no slouching around in our pajamas."
If you want additional resources to help your children with autism, we've rounded up 10 life-changing books for families living with autism

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Temple Grandin Has Some Great Tips to Help Kids With Autism Cope During the Coronavirus Quarantine

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Parents who are working at home during the coronavirus quarantine face many challenges. But the boundaries between work and home life are blurred even more

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Strengths and Skills Students with ASD have 

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Strengths and Skills Students with ASD have 

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All students, whether or not they have a diagnosis of autism have a unique set of skills, strengths and talents. When working with students with autism, it is particularly important to identify the student's strengths. This will be the key to unlocking their potential in engagement, learning and interaction.

Some students with autism will be very driven by their particular skills and interests and if these are utilised appropriately, it will increase motivation and success in learning.

Some examples of strengths commonly associated with autism are:

Specialist knowledge in topics of interest

Exceptional memory for facts and figures

Very high level of motivation in topics and activities that are of interest

Ability to carry out tasks with a high degree of accuracy

Excellent attention to detail

Ability to follow instructions and rules very accurately when taught in the correct way

Exceptional skills in creative arts, such as Art and Music

Ability to see the world from a different perspective and so bring a different insight

Ability to bring an innovative approach to problem solving

Tendency to be honest and non-judgemental

Tendency to have a strong sense of loyalty in all social relationships

Unique sense of humour

Passionate about hobbies and interests

Enthusiasm for favourite interests with a drive to share this enjoyment with others

All students, whether or not they have a diagnosis of autism have a unique set of skills, strengths and talents. When working with students with autism, it is particularly important to identify the student's strengths. This will be the key to unlocking their potential in engagement, learning and interaction.

Some students with autism will be very driven by their particular skills and interests and if these are utilised appropriately, it will increase motivation and success in learning.

Some examples of strengths commonly associated with autism are:

Specialist knowledge in topics of interest

Exceptional memory for facts and figures

Very high level of motivation in topics and activities that are of interest

Ability to carry out tasks with a high degree of accuracy

Excellent attention to detail

Ability to follow instructions and rules very accurately when taught in the correct way

Exceptional skills in creative arts, such as Art and Music

Ability to see the world from a different perspective and so bring a different insight

Ability to bring an innovative approach to problem solving

Tendency to be honest and non-judgemental

Tendency to have a strong sense of loyalty in all social relationships

Unique sense of humour

Passionate about hobbies and interests

Enthusiasm for favourite interests with a drive to share this enjoyment with others

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Strengths and Skills in Students with Autism - Best Practice Resource

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All students, whether or not they have a diagnosis of autism have a unique set of skills, strengths and talents. When working with students with autism, it is particularly important to identify the student's strengths. This will be the key to unlocking their potential in engagement, learning and interaction.

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3 minutes.

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Supporting Adults with Autism through Uncertain Times: Companion Guide

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Supporting Adults with Autism through Uncertain Times: Companion Guide

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Supporting Adults with Autism through Uncertian Times Full Packet.pdf

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Info on Stimming, Sensory Processing and Echolalia

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Info on Stimming, Sensory Processing and Echolalia

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We often use words with our children or young people that they may not understand. When this is something that has a direct impact on them, it is important we give them the information. This allows them to better understand themselves. This helps improve their mental health as they recognise there is a reason for what they do or why they do something.

This is also important for other children and young people to help them to understand their peers.

These contain lots of information so have been separated by colour to allow these to be cut into smaller strips to avoid information overload.
Neurodiversity

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We often use words with our children or young people that they may not understand. When this is something that has a direct impact on them, it is important we give them the information. This allows them to better understand themselves.

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Training

Middletown Centre provides a range of training opportunities for parents, carers and educational professionals in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Centre has a full training calendar of face to face and online sessions, which can be managed using the Centre's app The Centre, in partnership with Mary Immaculate College Limerick provides a Graduate Certificate, Diploma and MA in Autism Studies Individual schools can apply for whole school training and these are provided in partnership with the EA in Northern Ireland and The NCSE in Ireland. Further information on applying for a whole school training is available by contacting us using the email training@middletownautism.com

Here is a list of all our main current events happening within Middletown Centre for Autism

Online Learning Portal

Log in or register to our online training resources
Online Learning

Follow us on social media

Bulletins

Research Bulletin no. 42 - Strength-based approaches

Our latest Research Bulletin is focused on Strength-based Approaches. It highlights papers that show how taking a strength-based approach can create an empowering environment for autistic young people and allow them to define what they value..
Download issue (pdf)

Research Bulletin 41 - Well-being

Our latest Research Bulletin focuses on well-being for all. By better understanding the experiences & strengths of the entire autism community, we can better support each other to thrive.
Download issue (pdf)

View all Publications

Sign up for our newsletter

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Middletown Centre for Autism - Middletown Centre For Autism

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Middletown Centre provides a range of training opportunities for parents, carers and educational professionals in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

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AsIam resource for teachers about teaching children with ASD 

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AsIam resource for teachers about teaching children with ASD 

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AsIam Parents Guide to Autism

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Free Storyboarding Software — Online Storyboard Creator

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Storyboard That: Easy online storyboard creation! Perfect for filmmakers, teachers, and students. Create storyboards and comics with Storyboard That today!

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Free Storyboarding Software — Online Storyboard Creator

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Storyboard That: Easy online storyboard creation! Perfect for filmmakers, teachers, and students. Create storyboards and comics with Storyboard That today!

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Pandemics and the Corona Virus (English)

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SOCIAL STORY BY CAROL GRAY Pandemics and the Coronavirus March 2020.pdf

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ADHD Ireland | Our Mission is to make life better for people affected by ADHD

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We are dedicated to providing up-to-date information, resources and networking opportunities to individuals with ADHD, parents of children with ADHD and the professionals who serve them.

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Take a Break- 10 minute strategies for movement breaks

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Strategies for supporting concentration

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12 Amazing Superpowers of students with ADHD 

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12 Amazing Superpowers of students with ADHD 

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The positives of ADHD are numerous and mighty - creativity, empathy, and tenacity, just to name a few. Here, readers share their amazing superpowers.

Thinking positive to find the plus sides of adhd.

1 of 13

Problem solving skills are a positive about ADHD.

2 of 13

Children use their creativity to build a fort.

3 of 13

A teenager consoles a friend, using her gift of compassion.

4 of 13

Girl with snorkel by family unpacking van shows her sense of humor.

5 of 13

The word impossible is written on a chalkboard, with the "im" crossed out, because those with ADHD have perseverance.

6 of 13

A woman is very observant and employs her keen sense of observation.

7 of 13

A mom holds her child while also ironing - multitasking is a strength for those with ADHD.

8 of 13

A man is very focused on writing in his notebook. Hyperfocus is a positive trait of ADHD.

9 of 13

A group of young children are running with endless energy, another positive trait of ADHD.

10 of 13

A father and son play airplane together. Their seal for life is an ADHD superpower.

11 of 13

A green apple in a group of oranges illustrates differences. Kids and adults with ADHD are very accepting.

12 of 13

A road sign has an arrow pointing to Right and another toward wrong. Those with ADHD have a strong moral compass.

13 of 13

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What Is ADHD? Meaning, Symptoms & Tests.

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20 minutes.

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What Is ADHD? Symptoms & Meaning

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a complex brain disorder that impacts approximately 11% of children and almost 5% of adults in the U.S. ADHD is a developmental impairment of the brain's executive functions. People with ADHD have trouble with impulse-control, focusing, and organization.

Neuroscience, brain imaging, and clinical research tell us a few important things: ADHD is not a behavior disorder. ADHD is not a mental illness. ADHD is not a specific learning disability. ADHD is, instead, a developmental impairment of the brain's self-management system. Both adults and children can be diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD Symptoms

What are the signs of being ADHD? Common ADHD symptoms include:

ADHD symptoms vary by individual. You or your child may experience all or just some of the above symptoms, along with others detailed in the DSM-V.
[ADHD Directory: Find an ADHD Specialist or Clinic Near You]
Many patients and clinicians describe ADHD as an iceberg, where most symptoms lay hiding under the surface - out of sight but ever present. If you think you or a loved one might have ADHD, take one of our free, anonymous tests below to see if you should seek a formal diagnosis.

What Are the 3 Types of ADHD?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) previously identified three types of ADHD:

Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type

Primarily inattentive type (formerly called ADD)

Primarily combined type

Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD

People with primarily hyperactive-impulsive ADHD act "as if driven by a motor" with little impulse control - moving, squirming, and talking at even the most inappropriate times. They are impulsive, impatient, and interrupt others.

Primarily Inattentive ADHD (Formerly ADD)

People with the inattentive subtype of ADHD have difficulty focusing, finishing tasks, and following instructions. They are easily distracted and forgetful. They may be daydreamers who lose track of homework, cell phones, and conversations with regularity.

Experts believe that many children with the inattentive subtype of ADHD may go undiagnosed because they do not tend to disrupt the learning environment.
[Free Download: An In-Depth Guide to Inattentive ADHD]
Primarily Combined Type ADHD

Individuals with combined-type ADHD display a mixture of all the symptoms outlined above. A physician will diagnose patients with this Combined Type ADHD, of they meet the guidelines for Primarily Inattentive ADHD and Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD. That is, they must exhibit 6 of the 9 symptoms identified for each sub-type.

How Do Physicians Diagnose the Type of ADHD?

These subtypes are now considered "presentations" in the most recent version of the DSM, the DSM-V. Researchers determined that people often move from one subtype to another. For example, a child may present as primarily hyperactive-impulsive in preschool, and lose much of the hyperarousal in adolescence to fit the primarily inattentive presentation. In college and adulthood, the same individual may transition to combined presentation.

The subtypes were primarily based on overt behavioral symptoms, and ignored less visible symptoms like emotional dysregulation, cognitive patterns, and sleep difficulties. Behavioral symptoms imperfectly capture the defining features of ADHD. Non-behavioral characteristics are increasingly recognized in research and diagnosis.

What Are the Symptoms of Each ADHD Subtype?

The symptoms of ADHD are spelled out in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which lists nine symptoms that suggest ADHD-Primarily Inattentive and nine that suggest ADHD-Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive. A child may be diagnosed with ADHD only if he or she exhibits at least six of nine symptoms from one of the lists below, and if the symptoms have been noticeable for at least six months in two or more settings - for example, at home and at school. What's more, the symptoms must interfere with the child's functioning or development, and at least some of the symptoms must have been apparent before age 12. Older teens and adults may need to consistently demonstrate just five of these symptoms in multiple settings.
What Are the 9 Symptoms of ADHD - Primarily Inattentive Type?

Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities (e.g., overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate).

Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (e.g., has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations, or lengthy reading).

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (e.g., mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction).

Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked).

Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities (e.g., difficulty managing sequential tasks; difficulty keeping materials and belongings in order; messy, disorganized work; has poor time management; fails to meet deadlines).

Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (e.g., schoolwork or homework; for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms, reviewing lengthy papers).

Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).

Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts).

Is often forgetful in daily activities (e.g., doing chores, running errands; for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills, keeping appointments)

Take the Self-Test: Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD in Children

Take the Self-Test: Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD in Adults

What Are the 9 Symptoms of ADHD - Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive Type?

Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat.

Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected (e.g., leaves his or her place in the classroom, in the office or other workplace, or in other situations that require remaining in place).

Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate. (Note: In adolescents or adults, may be limited to feeling restless.)

Often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly.

Is often "on the go," acting as if "driven by a motor" (e.g., is unable to be or uncomfortable being still for extended time, as in restaurants, meetings; may be experienced by others as being restless or difficult to keep up with).

Often talks excessively.

Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed (e.g., completes people's sentences; cannot wait for turn in conversation).

Often has difficulty waiting his or her turn (e.g., while waiting in line).

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations, games, or activities; may start using other people's things without asking or receiving permission; for adolescents and adults, may intrude into or take over what others are doing)."

Take the Self-Test: Symptoms of Hyperactive & Impulsive ADHD in Children

Take the Self-Test: Symptoms of Hyperactive & Impulsive ADHD in Adults

What Causes ADHD?

The causes of ADHD remain somewhat unclear. Research suggests that genetics and heredity play a large part in determining who gets ADHD. However, scientists are still investigating whether certain genes, especially ones linked to the neurotransmitter dopamine, play a defined role in developing ADHD.

Additional research suggests that exposure to certain chemicals may increase a child's risk of having ADHD.

ADHD is not caused by bad parenting, too much sugar, or too many video games. ADHD is a brain-based, biological disorder. Brain imaging studies and other research show many physiological differences in the brains of individuals with ADHD.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

There is no single test for ADHD. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will assess for any ADHD symptoms exhibited by you or your child in the past six months. They will also do a physical exam and review your medical history to rule out any other medical or psychiatric conditions that could be causing symptoms.

Your doctor or specialists will perform an assessment using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which details the symptoms listed above.

ADHD Diagnosis in Children

A child may be diagnosed with ADHD only if he or she exhibits at least six of nine symptoms outlined in DSM-V, and if the symptoms have been noticeable for at least six months in two or more settings - for example, at home and at school. What's more, the symptoms must interfere with the child's functioning or development, and at least some of the symptoms must have been apparent before age 12. Most children with ADHD receive a diagnosis in elementary school.

When diagnosing a child, your doctor or specialist may also review school records and questionnaires completed by your child's teacher and/or caretakers. They will likely talk with and observe your child, as well as conduct screening for learning disabilities. They will also rule out other conditions that share similar symptoms to ADHD.

ADHD Diagnosis in Adults

Older teens and adults may need to consistently demonstrate just five of these symptoms in multiple settings. For an adolescent or adult to receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms need to have been present before the age of 12. Symptoms must also not be better explained by another disorder.

ADHD in Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 10 children between the age of 5 and 17 receive an ADHD diagnosis, making ADHD one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders in the U.S.

The symptoms of ADHD are often identified at school, as many children with ADHD have difficulty succeeding in a classroom setting. While teachers cannot diagnose ADHD, they are often the first to suspect ADHD in children as the symptoms typically affect school performance or disrupt the rest of the class.

Many symptoms of ADHD can be typical childhood behaviors, so it can be difficult to know if a child is displaying ADHD symptoms. Children with primarily hyperactive-impulsive ADHD may initially be seen as disruptive or misbehaving, as they are often hyper, impulsive, and impatient, and may interrupt at inappropriate times.

Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to receive an ADHD diagnosis, in part because ADHD is still wrongly considered a male disorder and because boys are more likely than girls to exhibit outward signs of hyperactivity.

Adult ADHD

ADHD is diagnosed in roughy 4.4% of the adult population in the U.S., although this figure is thought to be underreported, as up to 85% of children with ADHD are at risk for having the disorder as adults, and only 10.9% of adults with ADHD receive treatment.

Untreated ADHD in adults can negatively impact many aspects of life, including work, relationships, and mental health. Symptoms such as trouble managing time, impatience, disorganization, forgetfulness, and mood swings can all cause problems for an individual not actively taking steps to manage their ADHD.

Adult ADHD seldom exists alone. Roughly 60% to 70% of adults with ADHD have a comorbid disorder , such as anxiety, mood disorder, or substance abuse. If you suspect you may have adult ADHD, consult with your doctor or mental health professional about diagnosis and treatment so you can improve your well-being and quality of life.

ADHD Treatment

The best treatment strategies for ADHD are multimodal ones - combinations of several different, complementary approaches that work together to reduce symptoms. For one person, this ideal combination may include ADHD medication, nutrition, exercise, and behavioral therapy. For another, it may mean taking ADHD supplements and vitamins, practicing mindfulness, and spending lots of time outdoors in nature. More and more, pediatric and adult patients are pairing stimulant medication with digital therapies like EndeavorRx, which is available by prescription for patients age 8 to 12, or pinpointed apps like EndeavorOTC, a new mobile video game designed to improve focus in adults with ADHD.

Finding the right ADHD treatments - and managing them - takes research, planning, organization, and persistence. Early on, talk with your child's doctor about your options.

ADHD Medication

For children aged 6 and over or adults, medication may be an important part of the treatment plan. Finding the right medication to manage ADHD typically involves some trial and error but can lead to a significant reduction in symptoms.

The two main types of medication used to treat ADHD are stimulants and non-stimulants.

Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, like Ritalin or Adderall, are the most prescribed ADHD medications. These ADHD medications work by increasing the amounts of the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which help with focus. There are three categories of stimulant medications:

Short-acting (taken a few times a day)

Intermediate-acting (taken less often)

Long-acting (taken one a day)

If stimulants cause problematic side effects, or simply are not effective, your doctor may suggest trying a non-stimulant medication, like Strattera or Intuniv.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications are considered second-line or third-line treatments because the level of benefits and response rates are significantly lower. Meaning, stimulant medications are more effective at relieving symptoms for a larger percentage of people.

ADHD medications can have many benefits, as well as side effects. The decision to manage ADHD symptoms with medication can be a difficult one. Learn more about the risks and benefits of stimulants and non-stimulants, medication options, how to gauge effectiveness, and more.

What Is the Definition of ADHD?

"Attention deficit" is, some experts assert, a misleading name. "Attention deregulation" might be a more accurate description since most people with ADHD have more than enough attention - they just can't harness it in the right direction at the right time with any consistency. And so individuals with ADHD hyperfocus and lose track of time, or misplace their keys, or blurt out an unrelated thought when their focus breaks free from its chains.

Understanding ADHD: Next Steps

Sources

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² Association, American Psychiatric, ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. Washington: American Psychiatric, 2014.
³ Association, American Psychiatric, ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. Washington: American Psychiatric, 2014.
⁴ Thapar, Anita, and Evangelia Stergiakouli. "An Overview on the Genetics of ADHD." Xin li xue bao. Acta psychologica Sinica (Aug. 2008) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854824/
⁵ Philip J. Landrigan, Jordan Slutsky. Are Learning Disabilities Linked to Environmental Factors? Learning Disabilities Worldwide. https://www.ldworldwide.org/environmental-toxins
⁶ Dovey, Dana. "Doctors May Soon Be Able To Diagnose ADHD With An MRI Scan." Medical Daily. IBT Media Inc., 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.
⁷ https://www.(d(.gov/nchs/fastats/adhd.htm
⁸ https://www.(d(.gov/nchs/fastats/adhd.htm
⁹ Kessler, R. C., Adler, L., Barkley, R., Biederman, J., Conners, C. K., Demler, O., Zaslavsky, A. M. (2006). The Prevalence and Correlates of Adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry. 163, 716-723.
¹⁰ Donzelli, G., et al."The Association between Lead and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. January 2019, 16:3. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16030382

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What Is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adults

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ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurological disorder that impacts the parts of the brain that help us plan, focus on, and execute tasks. ADHD symptoms vary by sub-type - inattentive, hyperactive, or combined - and are often more difficult to diagnose in girls and adults.