ADHDD: A Case Study

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is affecting children and adults at vast numbers. The growing numbers of people affected by Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), made the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize the importance of educating the public. The CDC discusses the signs and symptoms, different types of ADHD, causes of ADHD, diagnosis process, treatments, and resources with the public. The CDC is a trusted agency. The CDC’s website is credible because the writers use effective appeal to logos, ethos, and pathos to educate their audience.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is classified as a syndrome that is comprised of a variety of behaviors that often arises in early childhood and is characterized by extremely high levels of motor activity, difficulties with attention span and concentrating, and/or impulsive behaviors (Cook & Cash, 2011). It has been estimated in the United States that approximately 20% of children and adolescents display signs of a psychological or behavioral disorder according to Luthy, David, Macintosh, Eden, and Beckstrand (2015). ADHD is considered one of the more prevalent psychological disorders in children, with approximately 3-7% of school-age children with an ADHD diagnosis as mentioned by Luthy et al. (2015).

The website provided by Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), is The National Resource Center on the disorder ADHD. With so many informative websites on different disorders and diseases, it can be hard to decide where to get the best, most credible information. The NRC is and CHADD have teamed up to provide a website that is an evidence-based platform for ADHD (CHADD, 2015). There are some common misconceptions of ADHD and even people who may doubt that this disorder exists, or doubt the validity of the disorder. The purpose of this website is to educate the general public on ADHD and it does a thorough job of doing so. The website shatters all misconceptions and proves the disbelievers wrong. It uses

Being able to find answers, and enlightening material without searching through a plethora of biased data can relieve concerns as well as offer hope. The Mayo Clinic’s website is inviting to those who come looking to research ADHD. The website’s format is open and easily understandable. The sub-categories are listed on the left side of the webpage. They include the most common topics including symptoms, treatments, complications, and most important a comprehensible definition. There is an abundance of statistical information on alternative medication that is not usually found when researching Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. “But ADHD medication is seldom all that's needed to control oppositional behavior”(Flippin, 2015). The website also has a limited amount purchasable advertisements. The information listed fit into each subcategory

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national public health institute of the US under the department of health and human services (CDC, 2016). The CDC’s webpage on ADHD is divided into several sections with each section communicating a different type of information. The website mentions that ADHD is a childhood disorder that may last into adulthood. It further illustrates some of the effects a child suffering from this disorder might experience. Additionally, the website lists some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD. Further, it gives readers more information on the three types of ADHD, its various causes, the process of diagnosis and various treatment

and conduct and learning disorders” (Jackson 2725). Testing for ADHD for a child is a long, difficult, and frustrating process. The caregivers go through a battery of questionnaires, insurance hurdles, and serious behavior battles. ADHD is becoming more recognized as a legitimate issue and testing of treatments have gone underway, but do vary from physician to physician. Research shows that “ There is a growing professional acknowledgment that ADHD is a neurophysiologically based self-control disorder, However, the diagnostic and treatment approaches are controversial and vary considerably across professionals” (Magyary 554). There is a plethora of information about ADHD, and the treatments available. Studies agree that it is a fast growing epidemic, that has received the most funding for research for psychiatric

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly referred to as simply ADHD, is the most commonly diagnosed disorder among American children today. According to the National Institute on Mental Health an estimated 3 to 5 percent of school age children are affected by this disorder. (1) There are more diagnosed cases of ADHD of in the United States than there are anywhere in the world. The main symptoms of ADHD include "developmentally inappropriate levels of attention, concentration, activity, distractibility, and impulsivity." (1) While the number of people diagnosed with ADHD increases dramatically every year, there is still much about the disorder that is not

According to the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) resource center (2017), “combination treatment provides the best results in improving ADHD and oppositional symptoms and in other areas of functioning, such as parenting and academic outcomes.” Therefore, more and more providers are coming to believe that stimulant medications should not be the only treatment patients should be receiving for ADHD and should be combined with behavioral therapy (CHADD, 2017). It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure patients and their families are receiving the proper education regarding the recommended treatments for children diagnosed with ADHD, so they may choose the most effective treatment plan for their child. The purpose of this DNP project is to improve the education of patients and their families on the most effective treatments options for children with ADHD, with a goal to increase the use of behavioral therapy among all children with ADHD.

Sibley, Margaret H., et al. "Pharmacological And Psychosocial Treatments For Adolescents With ADHD: An Updated Systematic Review Of The Literature." Clinical Psychology Review 3 (2014): 218. Academic OneFile. Web. 6 Mar. 2016.

The American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) Guidelines and Evaluation for the Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are tools used in conjunction with American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV). The criterion used is specific to appropriately diagnose ADHD ensuring a national standard. During the medical practitioners evaluation the following are measured against the DSM-IV criteria [but are not limited to], age symptoms began, length of symptoms, occurrence of symptoms in multiple settings etc (cdc.gov).

The diagnosis of attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased significantly over recent years and along with the rise in diagnosis is the dramatic surge in prescription medication as treatment. ADHD is a behavior issue, not a disease. As an alternative to prescribing medication to alter a child’s behavior, parents, teachers, and doctors need to determine and find a resolution to the root cause of the negative behavior. Medication is not a cure for ADHD and does not solve the issues that create negative behavior – alternatives to drugs are available to make the necessary behavior modifications in children.

Once a comprehensive assessment has been conducted, a clinician can begin to develop an individualized treatment plan to target the child’s specific symptomology. Behavioral modifications are considered to be a first line of treatment for young children with ADHD. When parenting techniques are proven to be ineffective or the symptoms are too severe to be corrected with behavioral modifications alone, pharmacological interventions may take precedence (Connor, 2002). Contrarily, multimodal treatment packages have been a main focus for the last decade (Mash & Barkley, 2006; Hinshaw, Klein, & Abikoff, 2007). The Multimodal Treatment of ADHD (MTA) study is arguably the most influential study regarding evidence-based treatment for ADHD. The MTA study evaluated the effectiveness of four different treatment groups: medication management, intensive behavioral treatment, combination of medication and behavior treatment, and routine community care (control) (Jensen et al., 2001; MTA Cooperative Group, 1999). Initially, combination treatment and medication alone were found to be superior to behavior treatment and routine community care and yielded no significant difference for managing ADHD symptoms (MTA Cooperative Group, 1999). After secondary analyses, the combination treatment group was shown to have the greatest incremental effects and was also effective in managing comorbid symptoms (Jensen et al., 2001).

The purpose of this research was to describe and understand Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment options that are available today. ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects 3-9% of the population in ways that, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the mind of the sufferer. It makes concentration difficult, large tasks seem insurmountable, and causes impulsive and hyperactive tendencies. Fortunately, research and experiments have led to new and effective treatments to help those who suffer from this disorder (Dupaul 8). This research examined journal articles and internet sources on the topic to help unlock the complexities of the disorder through scientific research. It also was a way to

ADHD is an abbreviation for attention deficit/hyper activity disorder. It is commonly referred to as a psychiatric disorder in need of therapy. The origination of the disease is in the neuro-physiological brain construct, and the main cause of the disorder is considered to be genetic (Wilson, 2012). Many children with ADHD struggle with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention (Unnever, Cullen, & Pratt, 2003). According to McNamara, Vervaeke, and Willoughby (2008), “attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder among children and adolescents. It affects between 3% and 5% of school age children” (p. 38). In a

As in any situation with any student that is special or gifted or that IDEA, IEP, and 504 Plans, have to be the first and foremost concern for all parties involved. “Education For All Handicapped Children Act Passed in 1975 Guaranteed and enforced the right of all children with disabilities to receive free and appropriate education Considered the foundation of special education in the United States; 1990- Law renamed to IDEA. What is an IEP? Individualized Education Plan Written plan that describes the program and special services a student requires to be successful Developed by parents and educators Individualized- plan specifically developed for a child’s special needs