Have you been told your child might have ADD or ADHD and should be tested? What about yourself? Have you been diagnosed with this disorder?
The symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) involve: inability to pay attention, impulsive behaviors (acting without thinking about the consequences), or being overly active. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Although ADHD can’t be cured, it can be managed and some symptoms improve with age.
Can you correctly answer the questions below about ADHD?
1. Children diagnosed with ADHD need: A medical check-up; Skills to boost willpower; More discipline.
2. True or False: All children with ADHD are hyperactive.
3. Among school-aged children, who is diagnosed more with ADHD? Boys; Girls; Both genders equally.
4. Which condition is sometimes seen along with ADHD? A learning disability; Depression; Anxiety; All of the above.
Answers:
1. A medical check-up. If you are concerned that your child has ADHD, get him or her a medical check-up. ADHD is not due to a lack of willpower or discipline. While providing clear, consistent expectations and limits, it is a medical disorder.
2. False. Not all kids with ADHD are hyper. There are actually three types of ADHD:
Predominantly inattentive – symptoms include: problems focusing, being easily distracted, and trouble following directions.
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive - These symptoms include fidgeting, random talking, impulsive behavior, accident-prone behavior, and an inability to wait turns.
Combined – This includes traits from both ADD and ADHD, which is the most common.
3. More than twice as many boys aged 4 to 17 are diagnosed with ADHD - 13.2 percent of boys compared to 5.6 percent of girls. Girls, though, are more likely to have the predominantly inattentive type (ADD). Girls’ ADHD may be overlooked because their lack of attention is often mistaken for daydreaming and not recognized until they get older. Girls also tend to be less disruptive and less likely to have a learning disability.
4. About two-thirds of children with ADHD also have other conditions or illnesses, such as: a learning disability, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, delays in learning or language development. These other conditions can make it more difficult to diagnose ADHD.
Signs and tests
The American Academy of Pediatrics 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 six attention symptoms, or hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, with some symptoms present before age seven.
The symptoms must be present for at least six months, seen in two or more settings, and not 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 cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies of twins link genes with ADHD, proving that ADHD often runs in families.
Children with ADHD who carry a particular version of a certain gene have thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention. This NIMH research showed that the difference was not permanent, however, and as children with this gene grew up, the brain developed to a normal level of thickness, and their symptoms improved.
Research does not maintain that ADHD is caused from too much sugar consumption, too much television, ill parenting, poverty or family chaos. Of course, these factors might make symptoms worse. But evidence does not support the reasoning that they are the main causes.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention sponsors the National Resource Center on ADHD. The National Resource Center Web site (www.help4adhd.org) has links to information for people with ADHD and their families. The National Resource Center also operates a call center with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD. The number is 800-233-4050. If you suspect your child might have this disorder, get help as early as possible.
Information sources from: www.cdc.gov; www.nimh.nih.gov; www.help4adhd.org