Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD) is mostly an organic problem, which tends to run in families. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in childhood. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of the general population suffers from the disorder, which is characterized by agitated behavior and an inability to focus on tasks. ¡§ In the early 20th century, American doctors were discussing children who had problems similar to those described by George Fre*censored* Still, who was the first know researcher in Attention Deficit research. The one thing that many of these children had in common, other than their ADD type symptoms, was that they were survivors of the encephalitis epidemic in 1917-1918. Numerous papers described children with ¡§post encephalitic behavior disorder¡¨ as impaired in attention, regulation of activity, and impulse control. Like Still¡¦s patients, these children were also socially disruptive and many had memory problems.¡¨(About.com: 2) At this time, the disorder was not recognized as AD/HD, but was known as ¡§Brain Damaged¡¨ because of the encephalitis. As time passed, other researchers discovered that these children were not brain damaged but had a learning disability. It was not until 1980 this disorder was recognized as ADHD. ADHD problems can effect many areas of a child¡¦s life: self-esteem, academic skills, social relationships, and family relationships. Treatments need to be as broad as the effect and include Psycho-Education, Medication (including herbs and homeopathic drugs), Behavioral therapies, Social Skills, Organization and/or time management, Family therapy, Individual therapy, and Sensory-motor integration. ¡§Stimulants such... ... middle of paper ... ...ucation but minor in Special Ed. This will give me the opportunity to help children like the student at College Park Elementary School. Bibliography: 1. About.com. Teaching the AD/HD Student. 23 March. 2001 http://add.miningco.com/health/add/library/weekly/blfaqteach.htm. 2. The Council for Exceptional Children. Teaching Children with AD//HD.1989 http://www.btinternet.com/~black.ice/addnet/teaching.html. 3. Vitiello M.D., Benedetto. Study update: Long- Term Effects of Stimulant Medications in AD/HD Children.1996 http://www.chadd.org/attention/attnv7n1p9.htm 4. Barkley RA., Murphy. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adults: comorbidities and adaptiveimpairments.1996 http://add.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%3A80%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Fcmd%3DRetrieve%26db%3DPubMed%26list_uids%3D8932963%26dopt%3DAbstract
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.
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)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as a behavioral disorder of childhood onset (by the age of 7 years) characterized by symptoms of inattentiveness and impulsivity/hyperactivity. Based on the type of symptoms that predominate, ADHD is classified as following:
It is important to understand what ADHD is. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder that was originally thought to be a form of "minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) (D’Alonzo 88)," however, it is no longer recognized as a form of MBD. "Along with these changes in classification, investigators identified behaviors related to ADHD: hyperactivity, restlessness, impulsivity, aggression, distractibility, and short attention span. These symptoms formed the three behavioral constructs inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity described by the American Psychiatric Association (D’Alonzo 88)." In both the professional and lay media ADHD is routinely referred to as a neurological disorder, while most experts agree that genetic-biochemical factors influence behavior somewhat, the general public tends to view this as biologically unco...
ADHD, or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. There are many symptoms associated with ADHD but the most common include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. Scientists are not exactly sure of what causes ADHD but they are more comfortable with the idea that a lot of different factors play a role in its development, such as, genes, environment, brain injuries, sugar, and food additives. The most widely used treatment is the drugs but this is not the only way to treat ADHD.
It has been known since the beginning of time that not all people have the same brain function, social graces or self control. Children have daydreamed, been distracted, wiggled and have been routinely disruptive in classrooms. The condition dubbed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a new name for old behaviors. It has only been the last 40 or so years that these behaviors have become known as a disorder. They were previously accepted, on the most part, as common childhood behavior that would be outgrown. The controversy over the treatment, Ritalin, during the 1960s is when ADHD became well known (Conrad 563). Before that children and their families managed to survive without the labeling and medicating of children who didn’t fit perfectly into the mold. The brain function of a child with ADHD may be different, but who’s to say that difference needs to be changed. The person with ADHD still gets the job done, just differently, with a lot more effort and creativity. There are many who benefit from an ADHD diagnosis, the child is not always one of them.
ADHD derives its roots from the early eighteenth century when it was diagnosed by George Still. The name however was not designated for the disorder in 1902 by Still. George Still found 20 children with problems of attention deficiency and postulated a theory which stated that the children may be suffering from some genetic disorder which accounted for their unusual behavior. At that time the disorder was named as the Defect of Moral Thought by ...
There are many ways to treat ADHD besides medication. One way, as a parent, is to reward their child for good behavior and discipline bad behaviors. This helps the child learn, after consistent reinforcement, what is expected of them. Another option given to ADHD patients is counseling. Counseling can be found at many different locations such as school, online programs, or other various places. Likewise counseling can be done in different ways too. It can be done one on one or in a small group. Also exercise is a great option for many ADHD people. Since ADHD is basically saying the person doesn’t have a great attention span exercise can be a great alternative to medication. Imagine going to the gym with your son or daughter this can be a great bonding time, way to stay fit, attention span while
Children today seem to be plagued with a chronic psychiatric condition called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD. Estimates suggest that this disorder is affecting 3% to 5% of the children in this country (Bussing 233). In the United States this means reference is being made to nearly 5 million ADHD children. ADHD isn¡¦t just some convenient or fancy term for what parents would call a child who misbehaves. This condition, recognized in previous years as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Minimal Brain Dysfunction, Minimal Brain Damage, Hyperkinesis and Hyperactivity, is a serious medical condition that is thought to cause inappr...
The truth is within the past two generations a phenomenon has taken place in connection to children across this country. Today one and a half million children take medication to focus attention and control hyperactive behavior (Freed 216). Most of these children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. There are three types of ADHD the first consists of inattention only or the inability to focus attention. The second consists of hyperactivity and impulsivity. The third form of ADHD is a combined type where the child or adult has difficulty dealing with attention and hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with ADHD are typically prescribed a drug called Ritalin (or one similar to it), which is a methylphenidate (recently amphetamines have been used also) making it easier to control behavior.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, normally abbreviated as ADHD, is a disorder in which a person has trouble paying attention and focusing on tasks, tends to act without thinking and has trouble sitting still. This condition may begin in early childhood and continue into adulthood. Without treatment ADHD can cause problems at home, school, work and any social gatherings.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. 1998-2010. Mayo Foundation for Medical Eduaction and Research 05 May 2014
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.
Nakamura, K. Richard. “Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders: Are Children Being Overmedicated?” National Institute of Mental Health. 2002. Web. 02 May 2014.
ADHD can be treated in a couple of different ways. ADHD is a disorder that can not be cured. Symptoms of ADHD are controlled with medications, various types of psychotherapy, education or training, or a combination of treatments. With one of these treatments or a mixture of treatments people with ADHD can learn to be successful in school or the work environment and have productive lives.