When diagnosing a student with ADHD, what is a key characteristic to observe?

In diagnosing a student with ADHD, it is important to observe variability in educational performance. Students with ADHD often display inconsistent performance in different academic settings or subjects. This variability can manifest as fluctuating grades, differing levels of engagement, and changes in behavior during learning activities. Such inconsistencies are indicative of the challenges related to attention regulation, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—all hallmark symptoms of ADHD.

Observing this variability is essential for distinguishing ADHD from other potential learning issues. If a student performs well in one subject but struggles significantly in another, it may signal the need for a comprehensive assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning. In contrast, consistent performance across all subjects may suggest a different type of learning disability rather than ADHD.