All children are sometimes restless, noisy and excitable. But only 1 per cent of children have ADHD. So as a parent how can you tell whether your child's behaviour is outside the norm?

Well for starters, the criteria used to identify ADHD behaviour are comprehensive - children must display a set number of symptoms for a minimum amount of time and at a level that affects development.

The test below is based on DSM-IVR criteria and will give you an idea of whether your child might be showing symptoms of ADHD.

However, ADHD is just one explanation for these problems. Similar behaviour problems to the ones listed below can also be caused by other medical conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

The result of this test is NOT a definitive diagnosis. The test cannot replace professional help. If you are concerned about your child's behaviour, your GP will be your first port of call, but a specialist such as a child psychiatrist or paediatrician must diagnose ADHD.

Taking the test
The test consists of 18 questions. For each of the statements below, select the option that best applies to your child's behaviour. When thinking about each statement, ask yourself:

• Has my child consistently behaved this way for at least six months?
• Does he or she act like this at home and school?
• Did this behaviour start before the age of seven?
• Does it significantly interfere with his or her day-to-day life?

This is because, in ADHD, symptoms:

• must have been present for a minimum of six months.
• must be present in at least two settings (eg home, school).
• should begin before the age of seven.
• must be severe enough to affect your child's development.