The health care setting plays an integral role in the diagnosis and care of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The diversity of services available and the pathways that child and family inevitably find themselves taking can be long and arduous, therefore finding a service that will meet the needs of both is crucial.
As defined by Ministry of Health (2001), “Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in childhood are persistent overactivity, impulsiveness and inattention, although not all may be present” (p. v). Children may appear as though they are unfocussed, defiant, excessive risk takers or have difficulty performing simple tasks in comparison with their peers. In addition to a diagnosis of ADHD, children may also present with comorbidities such as learning deficits, mood disorders and antisocial characteristics (Ministry of Health, 2001).
Goldstein (1995, as cited in Gol & Jarus, 2005) and Cantwell (1996, as cited in Gol & Jarus, 2005) explain referral to mental health services is prevalent for children with this chronic behavioural problem. For parents needing guidance in addressing concerns, a first point of contact may be a General Practitioner where symptoms can be discussed and referral to an appropriate service considered. As Laver-Bradbury (2013) states, clinicians within a children’s mental health service or paediatric setting are recommended, although McGonnell, Corkum, McKinnon, MacPherson, Williams, Davidson, Jones, and Stephenson (2007) suggest waiting lists for services can be detrimental. Child, Adolescent and Family Services (CAFS) is a mental health service specifically aimed at targeting the needs of children 0-19 years of age. Medical and health professionals wi...
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Kutscher, M. (2005). Kid’s in the syndrome mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger’s, Tourette’s, Bipolar, and More! London, England: Jessica Kingsley.
Laver-Bradbury, C. (2013). ADHD in children: An overview of treatment. Nurse Prescribing, 11(12), 597-601. Retrieved from ProQuest database.
McGonnell, M., Corkum, P., McKinnon, M., MacPherson, M., Williams, T., Davidson, C., . . . Stephenson D. (2009). Doing it right: An interdisciplinary model for the diagnosis of ADHD. Child Adolescent Psychiatry, 18(4), 283-286. Retrieved from CINAHL database.
Methylphenidate. (2014). In MIMS new ethicals (Issue 20, p. 170). Auckland, New Zealand: UBM Medica.
Young, R., (2007). The role of the occupational therapist in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A case study. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 14(10), 454-459. Retrieved from CINAHL database.
Smith, M., Segel, J., & Ramsey, D. (2013, 9). Add / adhd medications. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm
Park, A. (2013, April 2). Understanding the Rise in ADHD Diagnoses: 11% of U.S. Children
Department of Health, A. H. S. (n.d.). A look at attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Retrieved from
When dealing with adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD may become a challenge for many parents. Knowing the facts about this disorder and how to treat the problem is the key to a healthy lifestyle for adolescents as well as families. Many therapies and medications are available to families with children with ADHD but many questions that parents have with their children with ADHD is which therapy is best and what would work best with their children and their quality of life. The question of which therapy, alternative versus medication therapy would improve adolescent’s quality of life and behavior modification.
Sciutto MJ, Eisenberg M. Evaluating the evidence for and against the overdiagnosis of ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2007;11:106-113.
Every day, doctors are diagnosing kids with ADHD. A diagnosis can come as early as four years old. Doctors evaluate the patient. They also read reports from teachers and or coaches, along with talking with the child’s parents. Typical symptoms of ADHD include: “being in constant motion, squirming and fidgeting, making careless mistakes, not wanting to listen, being easily distracted, losing things, and making careless mistakes” (WebMD, 2014). If a child is diagnosed with ADHD, they may be put on a typical ADHD drug. Medicines that are used to t...
This book makes parents and guardians aware of the other treatment options available to them and their children for ADD and ADHD. It gives natural and holistic ways to treat it also it tells about different physicians you could make an appointment with for treatment without drugs.
Treatment. (2012, September 13). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 14, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/features/adhd-key-findings-play.html
Yulish, Noah. “Think Seriously About ADHD.” Healthy Living, Huffington Post. 17 Jun 2013. Web. 21 April 2014.
Chandler, C. (2011). The Science of ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. New York:
While the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association) put forth a list of behaviors which predominantly fall in the category of ADD and/or ADHD, many researchers still maintain that there is no set way to diagnosis or develop a treatment program to these disorders which will be guaranteed to work. At the same time there is another set of researchers who maintain that these disorders actually do not exist at all. However, in the real world, parents and educators still continue to struggle with the task of coping with children who are hyperactive and who have very low attention span and whose behavior often interferes with schooling and family life. [Armstrong, 1997]
ADHD is a disorder that has been on the rise for several years now. The disorder is one that can cause many impairments to a child’s attention span, making it difficult to concentrate and to keep on task, especially on schoolwork. (Graham, 2007) The statistics have been growing ...
National Institute of Mental Health (1999). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Retrieved April 2, 2003 from www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#adhd3
Some children may seem lazy, easy distracted or lost in their own world when it comes to school and tasks. But it’s normal for children to occasionally forget their homework, or to act without knowing why they do things. Not all the time this means that they are retarded or just don’t want to do anything. This can mean many things, one of them may be that they may have ADHD; this disorder is the inability of not being able to focus, being overactive and not being able to control behavior. It begins in an early age but may continue into the adult hood years. This can cause not being able to listen to when spoken directly ,does not follow instructions and fails to finish homework or house chores .It can also lead to be easily distracted and it can be hard to become organize. If not treated for ADHD, may be lead to have a crucial and complicated life. A treatment than be helpful is to parents be involve more with their kid in an early age to not contribute to ADHD later in the children’s life. Parents should teach their kids to become organize and patience with their homework and work tasks. Another treatment is to go to talk therap...