KEPOMPONG

PREDOMINANTLY INATTENTIVE

All the professionals that get involved in my son's difficulties have given me contradictories assessments. While waiting for their formal reports I'm doing anyways I can to find it out. I found diagnostic criteria issued by the American Psychologist Association, and compare my son's symptoms against the criteria. Each criteria is graded H for High; M for Medium and L for Low. A couple of criteria are not graded for my son doesn't show such symptoms.

1) Six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Inattention

a) Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities (H)

b) Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (H)

c) Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (H)

d) Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions) (H)

e) Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities (H)

f) Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework) (H)

g) Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (eg, toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools) (H) h)Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (H)

i) Is often forgetful in daily activities (H)

2) Six (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity

a) Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (M)

b) Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected

c) Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness) (L)

d) Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly (M)

e) Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor" (M)

f) Often talks excessively (H)

Impulsivity

g) Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed (L)

h) Often has difficulty awaiting turn

i) Often interrupts or intrudes on others (eg, butts into conversations or games)

My son appears to suffer from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Predominantly Inattentive Type. We'll see what the experts have to say!