Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Introduction
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is often referred to as childhood hyperactivity, is a severe and chronic disorder for children. It is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders, and affects 3% to 5% of the school-age population. Boys outnumber girls three or more to one. Children with ADHD can experience many behavioral difficulties that often manifest in the form of inattention, being easily distracted, being impulsive, and hyperactivity. As a result, children with ADHD may develop emotional, social, developmental, academic, and family problems because of the frustrations and problems they are constantly experiencing.
Families who have children with ADHD often experience much higher anxiety and stress levels. A large number of children, almost half, will exhibit signs of ADHD by the age of four. However, most children are not diagnosed until he or she reaches elementary school.
The behaviors that are associated with ADHD in children put them at risk for a host of other problems and complications such as completing their education, alcohol and other drug abuse, and an increased risk for delinquency. There has been much research on ADHD in recent years and many different types of medications and interventions have proven to be quite helpful. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, children with ADHD can learn to cope with the daily demands of the classroom, social situations, family interactions, and life in general.
Therefore, it is imperative that teachers, administrators, and school counselors become familiar with the characteristics of children with ADHD. It is also vital that they know how to properly assess for diagnosing ADHD, and that they learn the intervention strategies for children, along with their families. The child needs to have a ?team? of caring individuals working with them to help them overcome and deal with the ?hurdles? that living with ADHD can bring.
This paper will address four key areas of ADHD. They include: The causes of ADHD, the characteristics of ADHD, classroom intervention, and parental intervention. We will also discuss key medications that are being used to treat ADHD.
Causes of ADHD
When parents are told that their child has ADHD, it is only natural that their first response is to want to know what caused this disorder. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. For years researchers have been trying to find the underlying cause of ADHD, but have yet to come up with a definitive explanation.
Although there are several theories to try to explain the causes of ADHD, most experts agree that it is most likely not any single cause, but instead a combination of factors that causes ADHD.
As such no single etiology has been identified for ADHD. ADHD is a heterogeneous condition currently thought to result from a complex interaction between the psychosocial stressors, environmental factors, neuro-chemical/ neuro-anatomical factors, familial and genetic factors.
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.
Throughout the history of English literature, William Shakespeare delved into the mental component of humanity, and the disputed consequences that arise from this human mentality. The most famous revenge tragedy play, Hamlet, is an excellent illustration of Shakespeare’s study of human nature. In Hamlet, the arguable issue of Prince Hamlet’s mental health makes the readers to have two conflicting beliefs: one that shows support for a feigned madness, and the other one that stands up for an unfeigned madness. Madness is defined as an “Extreme anger, excitement, or foolishness.” (“Madness”), and “Ideas or actions that show a lack of good judgment and careful thought.” ("madness"). At the start of the play, Prince Hamlet’s plan is to pretend to be mentally ill, so that he is able to cover up his true intentions to inflict vengeance on his father’s killer. It seems clear from the theater piece that Prince Hamlet has indeed turned to true madness by believing in his own performance in the end.
There have been successful, famous, creative people that exhibited signs of ADHD. The diagnosis and medication are based on questionnaires given to parents and teachers.
ADHD children seem to always be in motion. They can find it hard to complete tasks they¡¦ve begun and planning ahead is difficult. These children occasionally appear to be oblivious to what takes place around them. Then there are other days when these children appear to behave just fine, apparently unaffected by the disorder. This can pose a problem for the affected youngsters as it leads others to think that the ADHD children can readily control these behaviors. ADHD is non-discriminating. Faced with constant turmoil and commotion in their lives, these affected children are from many diverse backgrounds (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 42). Ethnicity and cultural backgrounds of the affected children and their primary caregivers can greatly influence the understanding of this disorder and its associated behaviors as well as affect any treatment options that might be sought (Bussing 233). Why don¡¦t all children benefit from the wealth of information and treatment options available in today¡¦s society?
In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, an extensive debate has been developing for hundreds of years as to whether or not the madness of Hamlet, the play's protagonist, was legitimate or simulated. Hamlet may have been sane throughout the play however it may also be true that Hamlet slipped into madness due to several different factors. Hamlet may have feigned his insanity but evidence shows that his insanity was truly authentic. Hamlet tried to feign insanity as a plan but was soon led into a dark hole causing his head to spin out of control.
The disorder sparks up many controversies for the simple fact that the exact cause is not clear or more over not well understood. Because of the lack of information of how ADHD is caused, the most common controversy that this disorder brings is that many people believe that the disorder is not a realistic diagnosis because of the increasingly number of children being diagnosed on a daily basis. Although there is a significant amount of people being diagnosed with the disorder, sadly ADHD does exist and it’s a medical reality among our population.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a set of behaviors that are considered a medical problem. In reality, it isn’t a disorder. It is a fad that somehow got started. There are different things that can be done to stop ADHD.
ADHD is broken into three subtypes. The first is those who are impulsive and hyperactive. The second type is made up from those who are inattentive only. The third group is those who display all of these symptoms combined. In the United States, 3-5% of children show signs of this disorder. It has also been shown that the disorder is more dominant in boys. Many children with ADHD do not outgrow this disorder and carry it on into their adult lives. Various studies have shown that two-thirds of children with ADHD still have the disorder in their 20’s making it is a problem which affects children and adults alike.
Most parents do not want their child to be labeled as “Special” or “ADHD”. Why? These labels are used as in relating to a disorder. While, some parents would self-blame themselves, as being bad parents. Researchers have been working on the causes and triggers of this disorder, yet they have not found a cure. The cause for ADHD has no connection to bad parenting, schools or medicinal drug use, or sale.
This disorder can begin to create problems when they are involved in structured situations or those that require attention for an extended period of time. However, a common concern that many experts must remain cautious about is, when or when not to give ADHD medication because the parents of the child or the adult may have other motives, such as wanting the medication to advance their skills and abilities to beat their competition.
... Hamlet not sound truly insane. Also the way that he went from character to character abusing his insanity, being very careful going to each person, and acting this way with this, all to make everyone think he was insane. Hamlet’s madness isn’t his true identity, but his insanity is. Hamlet has caused madness all around him but he himself has become insane, not mad. Madness is "quality or condition of being insane “insanity is "relatively permanent disorder of the mind", both might seem the same, but it isn't.
Madness is a condition that is difficult to distinguish between true and false. As in the encounter of the ghost of Hamlet 's father with Hamlet, Hamlet is asked to avenge his father 's death. To accomplish this task in a less apparent manner, Hamlet decides to feign madness. In the long run, Hamlet truly does go insane. Consequently, his behavior thereafter is frequently unfathomable. William Shakespeare, the writer of the tragic play, Hamlet, leaves Hamlet 's sanity up to interpretation. Throughout Shakespeare 's Hamlet, Hamlet 's questionable madness is explored through his real madness, feigned actions, and the reactions of others towards his madness.
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.