What is Inattentive ADHD?

When most people think of ADHD, hyperactivity is often what people think of. There are actually 3 subtypes of ADHD including hyperactivity, inattentiveness and a combination of both hyperactivity and inattentiveness.

There has been little research done on the inattentive type, however this is slowly changing. there are many reasons why the inattentive type is overlooked and why it is important to discuss it. Studies show that females are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD. This type of ADHD is often ignored or overlooked due to its comorbidities. Females are more likely to have learning disorders such as dyscalculia (math learning difficulties) and dysgraphia (writing disorders), as well as anxiety, depression and speech and language issues.

Other challenges faced by children and adults with inattentive ADHD includes issues in executive functioning including difficulty in sequencing, staying on a task, prioritizing, and productivity.

According to DSM-V, a person must meet six of the nine symptoms listed below:

fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
has difficulty sustaining attention in work or play
does not listen when spoken to directly.
fails to finish school work, chores or work duties
has difficulties organizing activities
avoids task requiring sustained mental effort
loses things
is easily distracted
is forgetful.

Strategies in working with students with Inattentive ADHD:

Allow enough time to complete work. students with Inattentive type take a longer in completing assignments and processing information
Be specific and provide structure. Explain your expectations and ensure instructions are clear.
Decrease distractions as much as you can
Monitor for both depression and anxiety
Help to build self-esteem
Provide accommodations in areas of learning.