As aeh notes, there is significant overlap in the symptoms for AHDD-inattentive and auditory processing disorder (APD). Our DD when 7 was assessed by a specialist audiologist to rule out APD before confirming ADHD. The audiologist explained in detail exactly how the combined tests allowed her to separate out whether task performance was affected by auditory issues vs. attention. It was (fascinating and) highly informative.
By the end of grade 2, DD, though not the most self-aware, was able to articulate fairly clearly how much she herself was frustrated by her struggles to maintain attention in the classroom.
