ADD/ADHD is often characterized by symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. However, these symptoms can also be indicative of other conditions, such as learning disabilities or processing problems. This overlap can lead to misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments.
Children and adults with a learning disability or processing disorder may exhibit disorganization, fidgeting, difficulty following instructions, or social problems. These symptoms are often erroneously blamed on ADD/ADHD. If it truly is ADD/ADHD, stimulant medications may significantly improve the symptoms. However, when medication fails, the problem could be that some type of processing or learning issue is involved.