What is Inattentive ADHD?

 

It’s a familiar scenario for many parents: you’ve asked your child multiple times to put on their shoes, but they’re still engrossed in building that LEGO tower. This daily behaviour might look and feel like disobedience, but it could actually be a sign of inattentive ADHD. Unlike the more conspicuous hyperactive subtype, inattentive ADHD can often go unnoticed because it’s less about the outward signs of hyperactivity and more about the internal struggles with attention. 

 

Inattentive ADHD, often considered an “invisible” disorder, doesn't manifest in the physical restlessness associated with its hyperactive counterpart but in a significant struggle with maintaining focus. Children with this type of ADHD are often: 

 

Easily distracted by minor stimuli 

Forgetful in daily activities 

Slow to follow instructions or complete tasks 

Prone to daydreaming and seeming "spaced out" 

Frequently losing items necessary for tasks or activities 

Showing little or no sense of urgency in their actions 

These symptoms can lead to misperceptions of laziness or wilful disobedience, but in reality, these children are facing genuine challenges in processing and responding to their environment. 

 

Recognising inattentive ADHD requires understanding and observing your child’s behaviour patterns in different settings. Here are some signs that might indicate the presence of inattentive ADHD: 

 

Consistent Inattention: If your child often fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities. 

Difficulty Sustaining Attention: Look for signs of your child struggling to sustain attention in tasks or play activities, particularly those that require a sustained mental effort. 

Poor Task Management: They might often start tasks but quickly lose focus and fail to complete them, not due to defiance but due to a lack of sustained attention. 

Disorganisation: Difficulty organising tasks and activities, often leading to messy work, poor time management, and failed deadlines. 

Forgetfulness: Frequent forgetfulness in daily activities, even in routine aspects like chores, homework, or social engagements. 

 

Living with inattentive ADHD can be challenging for children and parents alike. Daily tasks that require sequence, memory, and focus can become battlegrounds. For example, preparing for school in the morning may be fraught with delays and frustrations as the child struggles with the sequence of dressing, eating, and gathering necessary items. 

 

Understanding and recognising inattentive ADHD in your child is the first step toward seeking appropriate interventions that can help manage its symptoms. Patience, structured environments, and consistent routines can significantly improve the daily experiences of children with inattentive ADHD. As parents, your informed support and understanding can make a substantial difference in your child’s ability to cope with and manage their symptoms.