Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral disorders among children. Between 3 and 5 percent of all children, as many as 2 million, may suffer from this condition. It is seen more in boys (about 25%) than girls (about 13%). Additionally, ADHD affects all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity / impulsivity that occurs in academic, occupational-work, or social settings. It is best defined as a condition by which an individual’s attention span is dramatically less than what is expected for an individual of that age. Additionally, there may be age-inappropriate hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

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What Causes ADHD?

There are several potential causes, but none have been proven. Since parental support seems to lessen the affects of ADHD, parental involvement is encouraged. Style of parenting does not seem to have a impact on the condition itself.

Dietary factors (such as sugar, artificial flavoring and coloring), television, poor home life or schools have not been proven to cause ADHD.

There are some factors that may have an influence on the development of ADHD. They include cigarette, alcohol, or drug usage during pregnancy. Each of these substances may have a damaging result on the developing baby’s brain and may be responsible for some of the conditions related to ADHD.

Environmental factors such as pollutants and toxins have been shown to have a small possibility of causing ADHD.

Only a qualified behavioral health care professional can diagnosis ADHD. A complete evaluation for ADHD may include parent and teacher questionnaires, psychological evaluation of the child and family that may include IQ testing and psychological testing, and a complete developmental, mental, nutritional, physical and psychosocial evaluation.

What Are Some Symptoms of ADHD?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is a condition that is characterized by three major categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

• Inattention. People who are inattentive have a hard time keeping their mind on any one thing and may get bored with a task after only a few minutes. They may give effortless, automatic attention to activities and things they enjoy, but focusing deliberately on organizing and completing a task or learning something new is difficult.

• Hyperactivity. People who are hyperactive always seem to be moving. Hyperactive teens and adults may feel very restless throughout the day whenever long periods of attention are required or they may move from one activity to another all at once.

• Impulsivity. People that are overly impulsive seem unable to reduce their immediate reactions to a circumstance or be able to think completely through before acting on a situation.

Since everyone may blurt things out inappropriately, bounce from one activity to another all at once, or be disorganized and forgetful, these conditions are only symptoms of what could be ADHD. For a proper diagnosis, an ADHD behavioral health care professional must perform an extensive evaluation.

Unfortunately, research has begun to show that between 70 and 80 percent of the children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have features of the condition throughout adolescents. Additional research is needed, but current information seems to point out that possibly 50 percent of the children diagnosed with ADHD may have symptoms throughout their adulthood.

As children grow and mature, their ability to deal with the symptoms of ADHD can adapt. With the help of parents and clinicians, their condition can begin to have a positive result. They can better channel their hyperactivity into more productive and socially acceptable behaviors, like physical exercise or sports. Because of an ability to think about multiple tasks, many people who have ADHD operate their own business or other successful ventures.

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What Treatment Options Are Available For Children & Adults With ADHD?

Treatment options include medication management, therapy techniques and environmental modification (rearranging an individual’s work areas).

Medications such as Adderall®, Ritalin®, Cylert® and Dexedrine® have been successful in treating the symptoms associated with ADHD. However, there is a great deal of debate about the long-term effect of medication.

Research continues to this day, but the results seem to point out that medication is an effective method of dealing with ADHD with limited long-term complications. Medication does present with some side-effects, which should be discussed with the health care professional that prescribes the medication.

While medication may greatly increase a child’s ability to deal with ADHD, it should be only a part of the overall treatment. Therapy along with the medication can help the child to unlock inner strengths and abilities that had seemed to not be present. Some types of care include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy works to help people with ADHD to like and accept themselves despite their disorder as well as helping them work on immediate issues.

• Social skills training can help children learn new behaviors.

• Support groups connect people who have common concerns.

• Parenting skills training gives parents tools and techniques for managing their child’s behavior.

It is vital to praise the child, not the medicine as they recover. The medicine only allows the child to have a more functional lifestyle. Praise the child for their abilities when using medication and therapy because it is important to maintain a high self-esteem as treatment progresses. How much the child believes in the benefits of the medicine and therapy may depend greatly the parents, teachers and family members.

ADHD is a treatable condition. However, the stigma and fear associated with treatment often overcomes parents before seeking care. Treatment may be able to improve the quality of life for your child or a child you know. If you suspect that a child you know has ADHD, please call the CARELINE at 1 (800) 662-1002. Mountain View also offers Parent, Adolescent and Children’s Education Support Groups weekly (Please see page 20 for times and dates.)

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The following list contains some ideas for teachers who are dealing with children that have been diagnoses as ADHD.

• Consistency. Change is particularly difficult for a child with ADHD, even when that change is positive.

• Organization. ADHD children may lack the concepts of time management, so a good external structure can help because of the lack of an internal structure.

• Placement. Children should be placed at the front of the room to avoid distractions and to encourage attention to the instructions. For seat work, a quiet place free from distractions can help.

• Movement. Change the type of work frequently, many ADHD children learn best be movement and touching—more than just lectures.

• Be Calm. Remember that the actions of an ADHD child are not directed personally at the teacher; instead, they are the actions of a frustrated individual who may want to learn but is struggling.

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ADHD Coping Strategies

The National Institute of Mental Health provides these guidelines for children, teens and adults that suffer from ADHD.

• When necessary, ask the teacher or boss to repeat instructions rather than guess.

• Break large assignments or job tasks into small, simple tasks. Set a deadline for each task and reward yourself as you complete each one.

• Each day, make a list of what you need to do. Plan the best order for doing each task. Then make a schedule for doing them. Use a calendar or daily planner to keep yourself on track.

• Work in a quiet area. Do one thing at a time. Give yourself short breaks.

• Write things you need to remember in a notebook with dividers. Write different kinds of information like assignments, appointments, and phone numbers in different sections. Keep the book with you at all times.

• Post notes to yourself to help remind yourself of things you need to do.

• Store similar things together.

• Create a routine. Get yourself ready for school or work at the same time in the same way, every day.

• Exercise and eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.

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