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A.D.H.D. By: Christina Cameron . What is A.D.H.D?. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder A common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% - 10 % of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it.
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A.D.H.D By: Christina Cameron
What is A.D.H.D? • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • A common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% -10% of school-age children. • Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it. • Generally have problems paying attention or concentrating. • They can't seem to follow directions and are easily bored or frustrated with tasks. • They also tend to move constantly and are impulsive, not stopping to think before they act.
What Causes A.D.H.D? • The exact cause of ADHD is not known, although researchers continue to study the brain for clues. They suspect that there are several factors that may contribute to the condition, including: • Heredity: The fact that ADHD tends to run in families suggests that children may inherit a tendency to develop ADHD from their parents. • Chemical imbalance: Experts believe an imbalance of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that transmit nerve impulses may be a factor in the development of ADHD symptoms. • Brain changes: Areas of the brain that control attention are less active in children with ADHD than in children without ADHD. • Head injury: There are reports of children with head injuries, particularly with concussions, developing behavioral problems that may mimic ADHD. • Environmental Factors (Smoking/Drinking during Pregnancy) • Lead
A.D.H.D Symptoms • There are three different categories of ADHD symptoms: inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity. • Inattention may not become apparent until a child enters the challenging environment of school. • A person with ADHD may have some or all of the following symptoms: -difficulty paying attention to details and tendency to make careless mistakes in school or other activities -producing work that is often messy and careless -easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and frequently interrupting ongoing tasks to attend to minor noises or events that are usually ignored by others -inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities -difficulty finishing schoolwork or paperwork or performing tasks that require concentration -frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another -procrastination -disorganized work habits -forgetfulness in daily activities (ex: missing appointments, forgetting to bring lunch) -failure to complete tasks such as homework or chores -frequent shifts in conversation, not listening to others, not keeping one's mind on conversations, and not f following details or rules of activities in social situations
Hyperactivity • Hyperactivity may vary with age and developmental stage. • Hyperactivity symptoms may be apparent in very young preschoolers and are nearly always present before the age of seven. Symptoms include: • fidgeting, squirming when seated • getting up frequently to walk or run around • running or climbing excessively when it's inappropriate • having difficulty playing quietly or engaging in quiet leisure activities • always on the go • often talking excessively
Impulsivity • Toddlers and preschoolers with ADHD tend to be constantly in motion, jumping on furniture, and having difficulty participating in inactive group activities. For instance, they may have trouble listening to a story. • School-age children display similar behavior but with less frequency. They are unable to remain seated, squirm a lot, fidget, or talk excessively. • Impulsivity may lead to accidents such as knocking over objects or banging into people. Children with ADHD may also engage in potentially dangerous activities without considering the consequences. For instance, they may climb to precarious positions. • Many of these symptoms occur from time to time ins normal with youngsters. However, in children with ADHD they occur frequently at home and at school or when visiting with friends. They also interfere with the child's ability to function normally. • ADHD is diagnosed after children consistently display some or all of the above behaviors in at least two settings, such as at home and in school, for at least six months. • Impulsivity symptoms include: • impatience • difficulty delaying responses • blurting out answers before questions have been completed • difficulty awaiting one's turn • frequently interrupting or intruding on others to the point of causing problems in social or work settings • initiating conversations at inappropriate times
Are there Different Types? • There are 3 subtypes of A.D.H.D: 1. ADHD, Combined Type: Both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. 2.ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: Inattention but not hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. 3. ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Hyperactivity-impulsivity but not inattention symptoms.
How is A.D.H.D diagnosed? • Too often, difficult children are incorrectly labeled with ADHD. On the other hand, many children who do have ADHD remain undiagnosed. • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued guidelines to bring more clarity to this issue: • The diagnosis is based on very specific symptoms, which must be present in more than one setting. • Children should have at least 6 attention symptoms or 6 hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, with some symptoms present before age 7. • The symptoms must not be caused by another problem. • The symptoms must be severe enough to cause significant difficulties in many settings, including home, school, and in relationships with peers. • The child should have an evaluation by a doctor if ADHD is suspected. Evaluation may include: •Parent and teacher questionnaires (for example, Connors, Burks) •Psychological evaluation of the child AND family, including IQ testing and psychological testing •Complete developmental, mental, nutritional, physical, and psychosocial examination
What conditions can coexist with ADHD? • ADHD also may coexist with a sleep disorder, bed-wetting, substance abuse, or other disorders or illnesses. • Some children with ADHD also have other illnesses or conditions. For example, they may have one or more of the following: • A learning disability. A child in preschool with a learning disability may have difficulty understanding certain sounds or words or have problems expressing himself or herself in words. A school-aged child may struggle with reading, spelling, writing, and math. • Oppositional defiant disorder. Kids with this condition, in which a child is overly stubborn or rebellious, often argue with adults and refuse to obey rules. • Conduct disorder. This condition includes behaviors in which the child may lie, steal, fight, or bully others. He or she may destroy property, break into homes, or carry or use weapons. These children or teens are also at a higher risk of using illegal substances. Kids with conduct disorder are at risk of getting into trouble at school or with the police. • Anxiety and depression. Treating ADHD may help to decrease anxiety or some forms of depression. • Bipolar disorder. Some children with ADHD may also have this condition in which extreme mood swings go from mania (an extremely high elevated mood) to depression in short periods of time. • Tourette syndrome. Very few children have this brain disorder, but among those who do, many also have ADHD. Some people with Tourette syndrome have nervous tics and repetitive mannerisms, such as eye blinks, facial twitches, or grimacing. Others clear their throats, snort, or sniff frequently, or bark out words inappropriately. These behaviors can be controlled with medication.
How Does A.D.H.D Affect Reading? • It will affect the children when they are reading because it affects every cognitive function. • Reading becomes difficult when intense focus for long periods of time is required. • Children need to read in short segments of time with strategies and/or guidance on checking for understanding often throughout their reading. • It will also affect their reading if they are reading in a noisy environment with several distractions. You want them to read in a quiet space.
How Can Teachers Help? • Establish a calm, structured classroom environment with clear and consistent rules and regular classroom routines. • Break complex instructions into small parts. • Provide clear and concise instructions for academic assignments. • Show students how to use an assignment book to keep track of their homework and daily assignments. (Organize) • Provide regular and frequent breaks. • Seat the child away from distractions and next to students who will be positive role models. • Form small group settings when possible. Children with ADHD can become easily distracted in large groups. • Offer more positive reinforcements than negative consequences. • Establish a secret signal with the child to use as a reminder when he or she is off task.
