2. Background

Abstract

'Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder' is a term currently used to describe a number of broadly accepted symptoms and behavioural characteristics, core to which are the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Among the list of names previously applied to the disorder are 'minimal brain dysfunction', 'brain-injured child syndrome', 'hyperkinetic reaction of childhood', 'hyperactive child syndrome', and 'attention deficit disorder'.