What Is ADHD?

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, or ADHD, is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood (National Institute of Health). It is estimated to affect 3 to 5 percent of school-aged children. Dr. Russell Barkley, Director of Psychology and Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Massachusetts, a leading author, researcher, and diagnostician in the treatment of ADHD has said:

“ADHD is real, a real disorder, a real problem, often a real obstacle. It can be heartbreaking and nerve-wracking".

As anyone who suffers from ADHD, and anyone who cares for someone with ADHD can attest, Dr. Barkley correctly states the emotional toll that this disorder can take. All aspects of daily living and family life are touched when a family member is affected with ADHD.

This article will provide information on how to identify ADHD, how to get help and how ADHD is treated.

On its most basic level, Attention Deficit Disorder consists of the symptoms of poor attention span and impulsive behavior. Hyperactivity may or may not be present. Is ADHD treatable? The answer is “yes.”

Children with ADHD may experience significant functional problems such as school difficulties, academic underachievement, troublesome relationships with family members and peers, and behavioral problems.

There is some evidence that there is a biological basis to ADHD. In 1998, researchers at Stanford using Functional MRI (fMRI) on ADHD children reported to have found a biological marker for ADHD specifically in the response of the brain to being medicated with Ritalin, with ADHD brains responding differently to Ritalin medication than the brains of Non-ADHD control groups.

Genetic evidence of the disorder indicates a possibility of ADHD being a hereditary condition.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

The ADHD Check-List

Some of the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are as follows:

Inattention
Impulsivity
Hyperactivity
Easily distracted
Appears not to listen
Impatient
Fidgeting
Interrupting

The above list describes many children; in fact, most children exhibit at least some of these traits at times! Where is the line drawn between the kind of behavior that children show at one time or another and a diagnosis of ADHD? And in any case, what kinds of things can a parent do to modify this kind of behavior?

The information listed below can help point the way towards answering these questions.

How is ADHD diagnosed and treated?

Observable behavior comes first. The best determinations based on observation come from parents and teachers who are in a position to observe behavior in situations with changing stimuli. If ADHD is suspected based on these observations, the next step is to determine a diagnosis. .In determining a diagnosis of ADHD, physicians carefully question parents and occasionally teachers and other care-givers regarding school and behavioral issues. Parents and caregivers are questioned directly and sometimes fill out lengthy questionnaires. Once a diagnosis of ADHD is determined by a health-care provider, there are many ways to treat the disorder. These methods should be discussed with the health-care provider and frequent behavioral monitoring based on observations should be continued. As children grow and mature, adjustments in treatment almost always are needed.

How is ADHD treated?

Methods of Treatment

A. No Medical Treatment

• This method may give the child a chance to learn from his or her own mistakes, without danger of medication problems or risk of curtailing the natural abilities of the child. However, given this course of treatment, the child may never reach his or her full potential. Left totally untreated, research indicates that untreated ADHD children may have a higher incidence of substance abuse and other problems.

B. Behavior Modification Only

• Behavior modification is low in cost, and this method teaches the child to work with their strengths. Some advocates of behavior modification state that a child that is treated with only medications will never learn self-control on their own. Behavior modification alone requires constant reinforcement, which can be a difficult thing to achieve on a daily basis.

C. Medication Therapies

• Medication therapies provide an immediate response than other therapies do. This type of therapy allows the child to sustain focus and decrease hyperactivity. The downside to medication therapy is the potential side effects and the cost. In addition, there may be social issues that arise from taking medications, especially if the doses are required during the school day.

D. Multi-modal Treatment

• The multi-modal treatment is a combination of medication and behavior modification. This method includes the advantages of both. Behavior modification is more accessible and made easier with the use of medication to help the child slow down and focus. This is considered the most effective form of treatment.
• ADHD Coaching is a combination of behavior modification and cognitive therapy. An ADHD coach concentrates on working with the patient to help them learn coping and behavioral techniques.
• Other forms of treatment include Neurotherapy, Neurofeedback, Biofeedback,
• Nutrition Therapy, Herbal Therapy. There isn’t a great deal of research or reporting on these procedures however, and the results are not measurable.

Co-Occurring Disorders

A. Learning Disabilities: It has been estimated (Dr. Larry Silver, “A Look at Learning Disabilities in Children and Youth) that 10-20% of children with learning disabilities also have ADHD. Other estimates have put this figure as high as 30%.

B. Depression

C. Substance Abuse

Other Attentional and Behavioral Disorders:

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD)
• Other side effects of ADHD and the comorbities include: Poor self-esteem, anger, developmental immaturity, and stress-related problems

I suspect that my child has ADHD. What do I do now?

If you and/or your child‘s teachers have observed your child over a period of time and in different situations and if you’ve checked over the list of symptoms, and you believe that your child falsl under the criteria described, there are a number of avenues you can take. A professional assessment is needed. The primary next source would be your physician or pediatrician. Your child should get a complete physical examination. Explain your suspicions to your doctor. Get possible referrals to a psychologist or psychiatrist, preferably one who specializes in Attention Deficit Disorder. The schools can be a good source, in fact, a very important source of both information and assessment. If you suspect that your child has ADHD, you can ask your child’s school for an assessment (after finding out what kind of procedures the school uses in such cases) and what the school is prepared to do to help your child. Procedures vary from state to state, and sometimes from school districts to school districts.

Professionals to Seek Out

See your physician or pediatrician
Speak with your child’s teachers school and counselors
Consult with a therapist or counselor.
Consult with an Educational Advocate to help you with your current school situation
If needed, consult with an educational consultant to help you find the right program for your child.
Consult with your clergy to assist in spiritual and practical guidance

Other help for parenting and coping is available in the form of self-help groups (either online or in person) and organizations such as CHADD.

FamilyIQ has a great deal of resource material on this topic and related topics.

FamilyIQ online courses include, “Behavioral Approaches to ADHD,” “Behavior and Mood Disorder Medications (Best Medicine),” “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,” and “Mental Health Options.” FamilyIQ articles include “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” Defining Cognitive Behavior Therapy,” “Helping Your Child with ADHD,” and “Your Child and Medication.”