ADHD In Children

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Introduction Many of the developmental issues children face in their youth are linked to disorders that affect their learning and behavior patterns. While the average child would go through a range of normal variations in their behaviors, children with these types of developmental problems fall beyond the range of typical actions. Not just one disorder is to blame for these progressive issues though. There are several, and they can range from highly disruptive to those that are barely an issue in a child’s daily activity. Amongst the many is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children who have short attention span and are not able to stay on task are considered to have this disorder. Here we will examine characteristics and symptoms that are common to those who share this disorder, including the history and how its many issues can often be treated. What is “ADHD”?: A Brief History Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder commonly diagnosed in children, hindering an individual's ability to attend to responsibilities, capability to control one's behavior, and interferes with the ability to regulate one's activity level. First described by Heinrich Hoffman, a German physicist, to the public in 1845, ADHD plagued families for many years prior to its recognition as a disorder. The actual terminology of ‘ADHD’ was not officially familiar until 1902, when British pediatrician, Sir George Still, described “an abnormal defect of moral control in children” based off of his observations in the inability of “mentally retarded” children to control their behavior the way typical children would. But even with its broadcasting, it took the world of science many years to understand and accept it as... ... middle of paper ... ...r lives, these children will be able to better prioritize their responsibilities and work out processes to fulfill their goals. Works Cited Allen, K. Eileen, and Ilene S. Schwartz. The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood Education. 7th ed. Albany, NY: Delmar, 1996. 175-206. Print. Holland, Kimberly. "The History of ADHD: A Timeline." The History of ADHD: A Timeline. Ed. George Kurcix. Healthline, 12 July 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. . Merrill, David B. "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." NCBI. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. . Quinn, Patricia. "Diagnosing ADHD: Tests for Kids and Adults." WebMD. Ed. WebMD, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2013. .

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