What Screams, "I have ADHD"?

(Answered by Julie Schuster Nondorf on Quora.com)

Talking in motion.

This is what my sixteen year-old does every time he comes into the living room to speak at his dad and I.

Yes. You read that correctly. I said speak at.

He is not being rude, my son, and I know he can and does have normal conversations with others that involve listening and responding as well as speaking. But with us, late at night, long after his meds have worn off, he will let out a long stream of thoughts that might seem unrelated to those who don't know him.

“Mom. We were on Destiny 2 and there were these randos and. . .”(goes on for five minutes in video game jargon and then, without stopping for breath, says), “Oh! You know that thing? That note thing for horticulture? I did do that! See? I told you I hate Sharon. She can't keep track of anything. But I'm glad Tanner and Hunter aren't fighting any more. That's the thing about our friend group. . .(goes on for another five minutes).

He can't seem to sit still during these conversations either. He paces back and forth, forth and back, as our heads follow him like spectators at a tennis match. His hands wave, his face is colored with expression. God, I love that kid.

But yes, to me at least, his talking in motion screams, “I have ADHD!”