ADHD DSM-5 Criteria

DSM-5 ADHD Diagnosis Criteria Form (South African Context) Inattentive Type Diagnosis Criteria: - [x] Displays poor listening skills Quotations: "He just zones out when I'm talking to him, like he's not even hearing me." - [x] Loses and/or misplaces items needed to complete tasks at school or home (e.g. stationery, books, clothing) Quotations: "Always losing his school books and his lunchbox. We bought three pairs of glasses this year already." - [x] Easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli at school, home, or in the community Quotations: "Even a fly buzzing can distract him from his homework. He's constantly looking out the window during lessons." - [x] Frequently forgets daily responsibilities (e.g. taking lunch to school, doing chores, remembering homework) Quotations: "I have to remind him every single day to brush his teeth, and he often forgets his homework at school." - [x] Shows a limited attention span during classwork, homework, or activities requiring sustained focus Quotations: "He can't sit still for more than 10 minutes when doing his maths. His teacher says he's always doodling." - [x] Struggles to follow instructions from educators or caregivers, and often does not complete assignments Quotations: "I tell him to do three things and he'll only do one, or he'll do them in the wrong order. His school projects are never fully completed." - [x] Avoids or delays starting tasks that require prolonged mental effort (e.g. written work, reading, long tests) Quotations: "He'll put off starting his essays until the very last minute, sometimes he just doesn't do them at all. He hates reading long books." - [x] Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or assignments due to lack of attention to detail Quotations: "He knows the material, but he makes silly errors on tests, like missing entire sections or misreading questions. It's not a lack of knowledge, it's just carelessness." Inattentive Type Diagnosis Criteria met: yes Hyperactive/Impulsive Type Diagnosis Criteria: Hyperactivity Symptoms: - [x] Fidgets or squirms when seated (e.g. during class or religious gatherings) Quotations: "He's always tapping his foot or jiggling his leg under the table, even during dinner. He just can't sit still." - [x] Demonstrates restlessness that is difficult to control (e.g. frequent movement in settings that expect stillness) Quotations: "He's always on the go, even when we're just relaxing at home. He'll get up and walk around the room for no reason." - [x] Appears constantly active or described as being “driven by a motor” by teachers or caregivers Quotations: "His teacher called him 'a little motor' and I agree, he never stops moving from morning till night." - [x] Struggles to participate in leisure activities quietly (e.g. group games, structured after-school activities) Quotations: "He makes so much noise even when he's supposed to be playing a quiet game. He can't seem to play without disrupting others." - [x] Frequently leaves seat in classroom or other settings requiring sitting (e.g. clinic, church, taxi) Quotations: "He's always up out of his seat in class, walking around. We can't take him to church because he won't stay in his seat." - [x] Talks excessively or dominates conversations at school or home Quotations: "He talks non-stop, sometimes he doesn't even let others get a word in. His teachers have mentioned it too." Impulsive Symptoms: - [x] Has difficulty waiting for turn (e.g. in classroom tasks, during games, queues at school tuckshop) Quotations: "He can't wait for his turn in board games, and he always tries to push to the front of the queue at school." - [x] Interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g. talks over peers, disrupts conversations or group work) Quotations: "He constantly interrupts me when I'm on the phone, and he'll blurt out answers in class before the teacher has finished the question." - [x] Answers questions before they are completed, or blurts out responses inappropriately Quotations: "Before I've even finished asking him what he wants for dinner, he's already shouted out 'pizza!' He does this in class too." Hyperactive/Impulsive Type Diagnosis Criteria met: yes Additional Requirements for Diagnosis (all must be met): - [x] Symptoms began before the age of 12 (based on reports from caregivers, educators, or clinic records) Quotations: "We started noticing these behaviours when he was about 5 or 6, definitely before he turned 12." - [x] Symptoms are not better explained by another mental health condition (e.g. depression, anxiety, trauma-related responses, substance use) Quotations: "We've ruled out anxiety, and there's no history of trauma. He doesn't seem depressed, just constantly restless and unfocused." - [x] Symptoms are not solely due to oppositional defiance or external environmental stressors Quotations: "It's not that he's trying to be defiant; he genuinely struggles to control himself. His behaviour isn't just a reaction to stress at home." Classification: - [x] Combined Type: Meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria for the past 6 months: yes - [ ] Predominantly Inattentive Type: Meets inattentive criterion only for the past 6 months: no - [ ] Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type: Meets hyperactive/impulsive criterion only for the past 6 months: no