Jenni Dorscher
Kelly Heppner
English A111-792
December 12, 2011
ADHD in Children
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is known as ADHD. ADHD is a common disorder in childhood, but can also continue in adolescence and adulthood. Some of the symptoms of ADHD are difficulty staying focused, paying attention, controlling behavior and hyperactivity (over-activity). There are three subtypes of ADHD. They are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. The symptoms are most commonly noticed when the child is in school. School can be very challenging for children that have ADHD. There are many different ways to diagnose ADHD in children.
The different symptoms of ADHD are lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Most children primarily have the inattention type. The symptoms that show they might have inattention are failure to pay close attention to details that are given, difficulty paying attention, doesn’t listen very well when being spoken at, avoid tasks that are difficult or need more effort, loose items easily, and easily distracted. Some of the symptoms of hyperactivity are fidgeting, difficulty staying quiet, and often has the “on the go” type of attitude. Some of the symptoms of impulsivity are blurts out answer before the question is completed, difficulty awaiting turns, and interrupts others. Mental Health America
The treatment for ADHD is with different medications that are talked about with the child, health care provider, and the parents of the child. They will decide on a plan that will work for the child and stick to that plan. The medications that are given often for ADHD are stimulants. Many stimulants actually slow down the child. The National Institute of Mental Health says the treatments can relieve many of the disorders’ symptoms, but there is no cure. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Some people wonder how ADHD is caused. They wonder why they have ADHD, but the other children in their class do not have it. Some Studies show that ADHD runs in families, but no studies actually show what causes ADHD. It seems like it is caused in early brain development. (PubMed Health) There are many different types of disorders that are confused with ADHD. They are depression, lack of sleep, learning disabilities, tic disorders, and behavioral problems. These are reasons why children need to be evaluated by a health care provider as soon as a problem is established.
There are some tests and signs that will help with diagnosing ADHD. A diagnosis is very specific and must be present in more than one setting. Children should have a least 6 attention symptoms or 6 hyperactivity or impulsivity symptoms. Symptoms must be present for at least 6 months or more and seen in different types of setting. Symptoms should be severe enough that they cause difficulties in many different settings. There will be different types of test done to see how severe the ADHD is in the child. They will complete developmental, mental, nutritional, physical, and psychosocial examinations.
When the child is entering school the ADHD is noticed more then it was noticed when the child was at home. Many children with ADHD also have some kind of learning disability. For parents that have children with ADHD, should work with their child’s teacher to make sure that there child is getting the best education that they can get. The parent and teachers should have meeting every month to ensure that they are on the same page with the child’s education and see if anything else need to be discussed about the child. (Block and Smith) Parents should encourage their child to try and stay focus as much as they can. If they can not stay focused they need to ask the teacher for help or they need to ask some to clarify what is being said.
When someone is diagnosed with ADHD the parent should help there child out in school and with their disorder. A parent should always talk to the child’s teacher to maintain a good relationship for the child in school. There are many different types of medication that the child can take to help with the ADHD that they have. The different symptoms of ADHD differ from child to child. ADHD can last all the way from childhood to adulthood. ADHD is a common problem in children in schools these days.
Work Cited
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - PubMed Health." Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/>.
Block, Jocelyn, and Melinda Smith. "ADD / ADHD and School: Helping Children with ADHD Succeed at School." Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_teaching_strategies.htm>.
Coile, Courtney. "The Effect of ADHD on Educational Outcomes." The National Bureau of Economic Research. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nber.org/aginghealth/summer04/w10435.html>.
"Mental Health America America
"NIMH · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." NIMH · Home. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml>.
