He cannot plan and organize his movements because he acts on the impulse of the moment. Some children have a very short attention span, even without impulsivity and overactivity. Unlike their peers, they are unable to listen to and concentrate on a story. Many of these children have a problem screening the various stimuli they encounter. That is, they hear the teacher reading Goldilocks with the same urgency that they hear the child next to them coughing slightly, the door squeaking, and everything else that is happening.
Background sounds, sights, and smells are perceived as equally important as the primary ones.
He cannot tell that this truck is irrelevant and his dinner is relevant. Inattentive children are often perceived as stubborn or defiant. She was tuned into her own thoughts and Mom's words came through, if at all, only as background noise. A competent professional diagnosis followed by remediation can help the ADD child make the most of his or her strengths and overcome weaknesses to achieve and succeed in life.