Tutoring College Students with AD(H)D INTRODUCTION We have all heard of the schoolboy who doesn't know how to stay in his seat at school; instead he climbs furniture and makes noise during work time. We have also all known a schoolgirl who looks out the window quietly daydreaming instead of paying attention to the teacher. We now know that the hyperactive boy has a neurological disorder called attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (Hallowell & Ratey, 1994; Latham, 2000). Experts recently have agreed that the daydreaming girl also has ADHD - sometimes called ADD because it occurs without hyperactivity (Hallowell & Ratey, 1994). But what happens when the child with AD(H)D grows up? How can tutors work with college students who have AD(H)D? What AD(H)D Is College tutors need to understand what AD(H)D is before learning how to accommodate this condition. The three most important symptoms of AD(H)D are inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity (DSM-IV, 1994; Hallowell & Ratey, 1994; Latham, 2000). The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Health (DSM-IV) explains that simply having these symptoms is not enough to diagnose AD(H)D because everyone sometimes has the same symptoms. These symptoms must be "persistent" and they must be "more frequent and severe" than they are for other people at about the same level of development (DSM-IV, p. 78). It is possible to diagnose AD(H)D later in life, but only if the symptoms began before age 7. Also, symptoms should cause problems in two or more settings, for example at both work and home. Furthermore, AD(H)D can only be diagnosed if the symptoms make it hard for the person to learn how to function well socially, academically, and at work (DSM-IV, p. 78). Symptoms might not show up if the person is under "very strict control," is in a new place, or is doing "especially interesting" activities, or is working with only one other person (p. 79). AD(H)D is not a single condition; instead, there are three subtypes. People with the predominantly inattentive type have trouble paying attention. Those with the predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type are hyperactive and impulsive. The combined type includes all three major symptoms (DSM-IV, p. 80). Perhaps the most well known symptom of AD(H)D is hyperactivity, but Hallowell and Ratey (1994) emphasize that not all people with AD(H)D are hyperactive. Indeed, they say that many people with ADD-mostly girls and women-are quiet daydreamers (p. 153). Robertson (2000) notes that children with AD(H)D are "consistently inconsistent." That means the same student could do very well in school one month then very poorly the next (Hallowell & Ratey, p.
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]
It was a shock. The pediatric psychiatrist diagnosed me with a novel maladaptive behavior syndrome known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). My condition has notably hindered my ability to concentrate, organize, and execute both in the classroom and within social spheres. However, I have tried to meet the challenges posed by this mysterious syndrome through a number of approaches. Although they have been arduous, I have improved my control over the consequences of this disorder.
In the early eighties, children were being diagnosed with a mental illness that consistently brings them out of focus. The mental illness was later named, ADD or ADHD, and not known as an illness but as a disorder. Soon enough ADD was no longer used for diagnoses and became considered an outdated term among doctors. Therefore, instead of ADD and ADHD being two different types of disorders they are now both claimed as attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Although these two types of deficits have inattention difficulties as the primary symptom, they both can not be combined due to ADD having its own preferences on what makes the child or adult inattentive in day to day situations.
ADHD presents itself in three major categories: predominately hyperactive, predominately inattentive, or a combination of hyperactivity and inattention. Predominately hyperactive, presenting as excessive physical activity and impulsive behaviors. This can include constant fidgeting, an inability to stay in their seat, an inability to play quietly, interrupting, or difficulty waiting for their turn.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), once called hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction, is one of the most common mental disorders among children. (Elia, Ambrosini, Rapoport, 1999) It affects 3 to 5 percent of all children, with approximately 60% to 80% of these children experiencing persistence of symptoms into adolescence and adulthood, causing a lifetime of frustrated dreams and emotional pain. There are two types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an inattentive type and a combined type. The symptoms of ADHD can be classified into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This behaviour stops ADHD sufferers from focussing deliberately on organising and completing a specific task that they may not enjoy, learning new skills or information is proved to be impossible. An example of such behaviour is recognised by the report written by the National Institute of Mental Health where one of the subjects under study was unable to pass schooling examinations due to her inattentive behaviour. Such behaviour can damage the person's relationships with others in addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem. (National Institute of Mental Health 1999) There are also secondary symptoms which are associated with ADHD, such as learning disorders, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, tic disorders, and conduct disorders. (Spencer, Biederman, and Wilens 1999 in Monastra V, Monastra D, George, 2002)
AD involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering recent conversations, names or events is often an early clinical symptom. An online article by Medline Plus suggest that later symptoms include impaired communication, poor judgment, disorientation, confusion, behavior changes and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.
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 ...
Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, is the most common psychiatric condition effecting 9.5% of school-aged children in the United States (intuniv, 2013). If the disorder goes untreated, it will cause more long-term side effects and difficulties for the individual as an adult. Adults who have this condition face several adversities in every day life, such as impulsive behavior, low self-esteem and poor work performance. People are not aware of the complications that come with ADHD in adults. Not knowing the symptoms of the disease can cause people to not be sympathetic when they are interacting with someone with disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders. ADHD is a broad term, and the condition can vary from person to person. There are an estimated 6.4 million diagnosed children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), though this is considered an outdated term. The American Psychiatric Association released the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in May 2013. The DSM-5 changed the criteria necessary to diagnose someone with ADHD.
The American heritage Dictionary defines Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as, “an attention deficit disorder in which hyperactivity is present.” Attention Deficit Disorder is defined as, “A syndrome, usually diagnosed in childhood, characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness, a short attention span, and often hyperactivity, and interfering especially with academic, occupational, and social performance.” ADHD is most often diagnosed during childhood and was formerly believed to have lessened and ended as the child matured but recent studies have found that between 35 and 50 % of all cases persist into adulthood.
ADHD is a genetic disorder which affects areas of the prefrontal cortex as well as related circuits in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. The functions of this area of the brain include, working memory, language, impulse control, problem-solving, and planning (Wright, 2006). Affecting approximately 8 to 10% of school aged children, more commonly boys, there are three main types of ADHD. The inattentive type, the hyperactive-impulsive type, and the combination type (Enyioha, 2012). A child with ADHD typically problems with social and adaptive behaviour and generally a lot of children will also suffer from a learning disability with almost all underachieving academically (Wright, 2006).
Understanding ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) There are a lot of parents who mistake the typical ADHD symptoms in their children such as lack of concentration, daydreaming, and occasional forgetting of simple tasks etc with laziness or unwillingness to do tasks. As a parent, it is essential to understand and distinguish the signs and symptoms of ADHD in children as early as possible to not let the condition affect the child’s ability to perform, learn and get along with peers. In this article, we are going to discuss all you need to learn about ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) including its symptoms, causes, and effective treatment options.
Children who have inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity could lead to a diagnosis of ADHD. Although it is normal for all children to exhibit these behaviors children with ADHD are more severe and occur more often. To receive a diagnosis of ADHD a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and at a greater degree than other children the same age.
Moreover, although the disorder is sometimes diagnosed in adults, it is generally the case that diagnosis occurs in children. In particular, alterations in social circumstances such as beginning full time education can bring on the symptoms of ADHD (NHS, 2014). Generally speaking, the symptoms that develop in children can be split into two component parts; “inattentiveness and hyperactivity or impulsiveness” (NHS, 2014:
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) Basic Concepts About ADHD The different types of ADHD include the inattentive type, the impulsive type, and the combined type. It is difficult to spot children with the inattentive type. They exhibit characteristics that make it very troublesome for them to attend to and listen to the teacher.