Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also commonly known as ADHD is considered a neuro-behavioral disorder. A.D.H.D has different symptoms that can affect each person differently. Common symptoms of A.D.H.D include behaviors such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, inattentiveness or a combination of all. It is estimated that anywhere between 3 and 7 percent of the population of school age children are affected by this disorder. It is more common that boys are diagnosed with A.D.H.D than girls. The most common ethnicity to be diagnosed with A.D.H.D are African Americans. There has been no evidence found so far that directly correlates A.D.H.D to a cause. A.D.H.D affects all people differently and can affect different parts of a person’s life …show more content…

Some experts believe that this disorder is under diagnosed in children, especially in those who display symptoms of inattentiveness. Children who show inattentiveness are usually ones who slide under the radar because their behaviors are not as apparent and easy to identify which unfortunately causes these children to fall through the cracks without being correctly diagnosed. Females are more often to be underdiagnosed compared to their male counterparts. On the other hand, some experts believe that A.D.H.D is being diagnosed too commonly, especially in boys. Some children can have behaviors that are mistaken for symptoms of A.D.H.D but in reality are just behaviors of immaturity which is common to an extent for all children. A.D.H.D. can be misdiagnosed as well as its symptoms can be easily confused with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression because their symptoms are …show more content…

According to the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual, to be diagnosed with A.D.H.D, a person must have persisting symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, or inattentiveness for at least six months. These symptoms must occur in two or more settings (e.g. school and home). A student’s life must also be adversely affected by these symptoms for a diagnosis to be made. These symptoms must have also been present before the age of seven. There are also certain people who can diagnose students with this disorder, these people include a family doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist and a neurologist. There can be exceptions to this list, but the professional providing the diagnosis of A.D.H.D must be licensed to do so. Teachers are unable to diagnose their students; however, teachers are able to refer their students to be tested for

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