attention deficit disorder

noun

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

: a developmental disorder that is marked especially by persistent symptoms of inattention (such as distractibility, forgetfulness, or disorganization) or by symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity (such as fidgeting, speaking out of turn, or restlessness) or by symptoms of all three and that is not caused by any serious underlying physical or mental disorder

Note: Symptoms of attention deficit disorder range from mild to severe and always interfere with normal development and daily functioning. A diagnosis of attention deficit disorder typically requires that symptoms be present by the age of 12 and in more than one setting (such as both home and school). Attention deficit disorder may persist into adulthood, creating difficulties in one's occupation or social relationships. While hyperactivity and impulsivity are not always present as symptoms, attention deficit disorder is commonly referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

—abbreviation ADD

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See attention deficit disorder defined for kids

Recent Examples of attention deficit disorder from the Web

Loneliness has aggravated her attention deficit disorder, hurting her school performance and exhausting her grandparents.

— martin kuz, San Antonio Express-News, "After the hurricane, the storm within," 9 Apr. 2018
Esther and Benji are a couple of aging children, with urban attention deficit disorder.

— david wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle, "Witty misfits charm in Freeform ‘Alone’," 9 Jan. 2018
My theory is that drivers who constantly change lanes have an acute form of attention deficit disorder, which leads to boredom.

— Anchorage Daily News, "If you want to survive the Glenn Highway commute, knowing driver types can be helpful," 16 Mar. 2018
Vutpakdi's son is part of a rare group known as twice exceptional, or 2e — children who have high IQs of over 130, but who also face challenges such as attention deficit disorder, autism, dyslexia or dysgraphia, the inability to write clearly.

— caitlin yoshiko kandil, latimes.com, "Stepping Stones Therapy and Learning Academy in Newport Beach caters to twice-exceptional students," 2 Mar. 2018
Although they’ve been marketed as a calming device to combat anxiety, fidget spinners have become more of a plaything as opposed to a stress reliever for those diagnosed with attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, and autism.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Uh-Oh! Fidget Spinners May Not Be Safe for Kids After All," 22 June 2017
Ruthi shares that she was diagnosed with adult attention deficit disorder some 20 years into her career.

— michelle matthews, AL.com, "D.C. CEO recalls Alabama childhood in new memoir," 31 Oct. 2017
And health experts agree that deep, slow breathing can help with stress, which in turn eases symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and attention deficit disorders.

— molly olmstead, Slate Magazine, "What Is Alternate Nostril Breathing?," 11 Sep. 2017
Is there really such a thing as attention deficit disorder or not?

— leslie anne tarabella, AL.com, "The art of focusing," 5 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attention deficit disorder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of attention deficit disorder

1978

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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