Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks everyone.

Can a child have ADHD without being hyperactive?

Even my Combined (Inattentive-Hyperactive) Subtype might not be described by the average person as hyperactive. He is fidgety, though, and has a hard time sitting without slouching, shifting, leaning, etc -- so "constantly in motion" but not in a a hugely disruptive way. Severe, ADHD, though.

First I would ask her teacher exactly what she means by “extremely absentminded” and if this is interfering with her learning? This will give you more specific information to give to your pediatrician if you choose to take it further. Also as a former therapist and school psychologist, I would want to know what your daughter gets excited about and does listen to. ADHD children have varied interests and have ability to focus on what is exciting to them but more difficulty when the material is routine or of no interest to them If there is not much that stimulates her, you might consider depression or hearing difficulties. I would start with her pedicatrician.
ADHD is an overall label for anyone who falls under the spectrum of attention deficit disorder. Many ADHD children do not display hyperactivity.

I'm 21:11 - of course, it's called inattentive ADHD. My 11 year old son has severe inattentive ADHD and needs medication to function. Pretty low-energy guy and DEFINITELY the opposite of hyperactive - a dreamy, spacey guy. I have mild inattentive ADHD, and so far have been able to live my life without meds.

My son was like this. He has weak auditory processing skills - can never remember what is said to him, even if just a few minutes before. He does a lot better with visual and written instructions. His mind was always somewhere else, thinking about ideas and outer space and whatever he was interested in at the moment. He was never rude and it's not that he didn't care, and I'm glad that he never had a teacher who made him feel that way! He was not ADHD or on the spectrum, but he has some trouble with executive functioning and is gifted with math/science. He's in middle school now and is still "absent-minded" but doing well academically and socially.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks everyone.

Can a child have ADHD without being hyperactive?

Yes.

It's called Inattentive Type. Or ADHD-I. More common in girls.

I was just diagnose with ADD as an adult (I am female). Both therapist and psychiatrist said it is very common to not have hyperactivity in girls, and that is why it is missed a lot time in girls. Please have her evaluated.

When I saw the first post of ADHD, I actually said out loud, "Not H." DS was diagnosed as "Inattentive" with not mention of ADHD. Quite the opposite, he's a laid back dude. Eye contact when speaking, a clear table when doing homework (no distractions), and (alas) frequent prompts characterize DS' academic experience.

Have her tested. When's her next ped appointment? I'd definitely have the conversation. The doc may send you off with some Vanderbilt Questionnaires to get you started.