Children have a lot of energy and tend to be rambunctious. But should you worry if your child is easily distracted, has extreme trouble waiting his or her turn, can't follow instructions or doesn't pay attention?

Possibly, because those are some of the signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). What are the symptoms of ADHD, and what is the treatment for this disorder? Find out by taking the following true or false quiz.

True or false: ADHD is more common in boys than in girls. 

    True. But the number of girls diagnosed with this disorder is increasing.

True or false: ADHD is rare and affects only a small percentage of children.

    False. About 4 percent to 12 percent of children have ADHD. At least one child in every classroom in the United States needs help with this disorder.

True or false: The classic symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity.

    True. To make the diagnosis of ADHD, a person must have at least one of these symptoms. Symptoms must be bad enough to cause a disruption to normal development and not be caused by temporary stress.

True or false: Most children outgrow ADHD by the time they reach adolescence.

    False. Until recently, it was believed that most children outgrow ADHD. But newer research shows that most (60 percent to 80 percent) of those diagnosed with ADHD keep having problems during their teenage years. From 40 percent to 60 percent still have symptoms as adults.

True or false: Behavior modification and stimulants are standard treatments for ADHD.

    True. Stimulants have been used to treat ADHD since the 1930s.

True or false: A common side effect of stimulant medications for ADHD is a reduced appetite.

    True. Also, some children may have stomachaches and headaches when they first start the drug. Adjusting the dose of medicine may help. In rare cases, stimulants may interfere with a child's growth. But when he or she stops taking the drug, growth will resume. Further, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about possible cardiovascular risks and psychiatric symptoms associated with the medicines. Talk to your doctor about these risks and which ADHD medications are right for your child.

True or false: Refined sugar and food additives make children hyperactive and inattentive.

    False. Food sensitivities, allergic reactions, eating a lot of sugar and lack of discipline do not cause ADHD. These and other myths related to the cause of ADHD are not proven by science.

True or false: Children who have ADHD may need some help in the classroom.

    True. Some kids will need special accommodations to help them to learn. They may need to sit close to the teacher, have more time to complete tests, have instructions repeated, and need written and visual aids. Most children with ADHD qualify for free services within public schools. Parents should ask about modifications that can help their child in the classroom. Under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, public schools that receive federal money are required to make certain accommodations for ADHD students.

True or false: Children in families where there is a history of ADHD may be more at risk for developing it.

    True. Studies show children are more likely to develop ADHD if they have a family history of ADHD, anxiety or mood disorders, substance abuse or learning disabilities.

Strattera (atomoxetine), a nonstimulant medication for treating ADHD, may cause severe liver injury, according to a warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This warning is based on two reports of liver damage in a teenager and an adult who had been treated with the medication for several months. Both of them recovered.

The FDA has also alerted doctors and patients about reports of suicidal thinking in children and teens taking Strattera. Children and teens taking this medication should be closely monitored for worsening of their ADHD, agitation, irritability, suicidal thinking or behaviors and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of therapy or when the dose is changed (either increased or decreased).

The American Heart Association recommends that all children taking medication for ADHD should undergo a medical evaluation. This should include a medical history, a physical exam, a family history, and possibly an electrocardiogram and a pediatric cardiology consult if indicated.

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External Sources American Association of Pediatrics. Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Committee on Quality Improvement. Clinical practice guideline: treatment of the school-aged child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2001;108(4):1033-1044. Accessed July 14, 2008. Raishevich N, Jensen P. Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In: Kliegman RN, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Accessed July 14, 2008. Pliszka S, AACAP Work Group on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007;46(7):894-921. Accessed July 14, 2008.

This article was reviewed and updated 08-01-2009.