What is AD/HD?

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a neurobiological condition that affects between 1 and 5 percent of the whole population. It is believed to be genetic in origin as very frequently it is found that a child with AD/HD will have a close family member (parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle) who has it him or herself.

A person with this condition will have a severe inability to maintain attention and organise themselves to perform tasks, they will lack self-control due to impulsivity and they may act inappropriately or say inappropriate things. In cases where hyperactivity is present they will also be unable to limit their physical activity and/or restlessness as is appropriate for the situation they are in.

When hyperactivity is not present the person will present differently. They will be primarily inattentive and with a very reduced ability to pay attention (e.g. day-dreamy)

These difficulties are prevalent in all aspects of life and not just in school, although for children with AD/HD a classroom environment can prove to be very debilitating.

AD/HD is also a condition which should be declared when applying for a driving licence. The medical categories used on the application form are quite broad in some areas and No 15, "Any other chronic neurological condition" would seem to be appropriate and non-pejorative. The diagnosis itself or the medication used for the treatment are not in themselves a bar to driving and each case is assessed on its merits. Medical standards of fitness to drive are outlined in the drivers' section of the DVLA website under medical rules. ADHD is mentioned in the Developmental Section of the Psychiatry Chapter of the "At A Glance Guide to the Current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive".