How does ADHD present differently across home and school settings?

• A. It involves inattention/hyperactivity-impulsivity that causes impairment in two or more settings (often home and school) and symptoms were present before age 12
• B. ADHD only occurs in school
• C. ADHD is a mood disorder
• D. ADHD symptoms start after adolescence

Answer: (A)

ADHD is identified by patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that cause clear impairment in at least two settings, commonly home and school, with symptoms that begin before age 12. This cross-setting impairment shows that the behavior isn’t just a quirk of one environment but a persistent pattern that affects daily functioning in multiple contexts. In practice, you’d gather reports from both parents and teachers and look for ongoing difficulties with attention, organization, or self-control across different settings and demands. The other ideas don’t fit the diagnostic pattern: ADHD isn’t limited to school, it’s not a mood disorder, and symptoms don’t typically start after adolescence.