Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD which is often referred to as childhood hyperactivity, it 's a severe and chronic disorder for children. It is one of the most prevalent childhood disorders, and affects 3% to 5% of the school-age population. Boys outnumber girls three or more to one. Children with ADHD can experience many behavioral difficulties that often manifest in the form of inattention, being easily distracted, being impulsive, and hyperactivity. As a result, children with ADHD may develop emotional, social, developmental, academic, and family problems because of the frustrations and problems they are constantly experiencing. (Shea)

I chose to research Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, in culture and child development for the following reasons. First, it is important as educators that we understand the difference between restlessness and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children. Secondly, we must be conscious of the origins of ADHD, how to recognize it, the myths and prejudices against it, and know the most appropriate intervention strategies. Educators must also realize that even if a child has ADHD that does not mean they are unintelligent or lazy.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, shortly called ADHD is a psychological condition that begins in early childhood; however, a lot of children with ADHD often go unrecognized or undertreated because of doctors with little experience with the disorder. Therefore, it frequently persists into adulthood. It is now known that these conditions continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with ADHD. That translates into 4 % of the U.S adult population, or 8 million adults (Goldstein, 2012). As more adults including college students go to see a psychiatrist to get the medication for the drug and the medication with psychosocial therapy

Michael Phelps has a condition called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or otherwise known as ADHD. Michael is one of the many people who have been diagnosed with this disorder. He has become a spokesperson to talk about the disorder and ways to find treatments that work for the individual. Medication isn’t the only treatment for this disorder. There are many natural treatments such as playing in sports. This disorder not only affects the person, but everyone around the person. Many people are diagnosed at a young age, so family is very helpful when working to find a treatment.

In the video titled, “Why Can’t You Behave?” the client Julian suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and has impairments of body functions and structures, activity and participation limitations, and has environmental as well as personal factors that are present, which impacts his daily functions. Julian demonstrates the inability to remain calm, or to sit still during any daily activity due to being hyperactive. According to the video, “Julian was a very restless boy, he was so hyperactive he couldn’t sit still through a meal”, so daily tasks such as sitting and learning in a traditional classroom setting, and being able to sit still long enough to complete any homework assignments were all challenges that Julian faced due to suffering from ADHD. From the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) checklist, under the mental functions section b140 attention would be considered as a complete impairment of Julian’s body functions due to difficulties focusing attention on organizing and completing a task. Since Julian also shows difficulty processing information and difficulty listening when spoken to, the brain in section s110 of the ICF would be a body structure noted as having impairments for function.

Adam, a white 16-year-old 10th grader, was the focus of the indirect and direct assessments. Adam receives special education services for other health impairments (OHI), specifically Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adam’s teacher, Mr. B, and Adam both mentioned during the indirect and direct observations that he does not always take his medication for his ADHD. Like many of his peers, Adam seems to enjoy the social aspects of school. Any opportunity to talk with other students is eagerly sought out, and there is a constant desire to use his phone to be connected with others. However, unlike his peers, Adam’s attempts to interact with the students in the class or the teacher are awkward. His lack of inhibition often results in rude or inappropriate comments, and he seems unable to comprehend the verbal and nonverbal cues of his peers indicating they did not want to interact with Adam.

There are many disorders that are first diagnosed whether it is during infancy, childhood or adolescence. The disorders range from intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, communication disorders, all the way through to elimination disorders. Attention-deficit and disruptive disorders are the most common. All including AD/HD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and unspecified disruptive disorder. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common childhood brain disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood.

Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, is a brain disorder that consists of a continuous pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with development or functioning. Inattention refers to a person wandering off task, lacking persistence, having difficulty sustaining focus, and being disorganized. Hyperactivity includes people who seem to constantly move, and continuously fidget, tap, or talk. Impulsivity refers to the making of rushed actions without thinking about them first, or a desire for immediate rewards.

According to the Royal Australian College of Physician’s Draft Australian Guidelines (2009, pg 6), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined as a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically seen at any given stage of development. There are two main categories in which children with ADHD typically exhibit behaviour: poor sustained attention and hyperactivity impulsiveness. As a result, the APA in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) established three subtypes of the disorder:

Everyday dealing with young kids that are hyper and questions of is that child really is, do the research. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is known as ADHD is a mental disorder that can harm the relationship with the child 's parent and themselves. It 's a condition that affects the child attention spam, hard to focus and concentration in life. Many kids have elevated energy throughout the day and sometimes the night as well. Their brain is always processing at night and could cause the child to loose sleep. Some ADHD may have symptoms of moving around alot, can 't keep still, very impatient, loud, impulsive and can 't control body movement so the child likes to climb and rock side to side as a habit.(Coon,D., Mitterer,J.,pgs. 182,457, 600-602).

Children who have extreme levels of attention deficits of hyperactivity have been proven by investigators to bear out the validity of this disease for centuries. Yet only since the children have been identified with this particular syndrome, where they adopt behaviors that are not expected, have emerged questions about it. According to Kewley on his book Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an internationally recognized medical condition of brain dysfunction, in which individuals have problems in inhibiting inappropriate behavior and controlling impulses, so giving rise to educational, behavioral and other difficulties” (237), gives credits to the brain as a primordial factor of this disease, and maybe the only cause of it. However, there is no specific and clear evidence about its apparition and what are the causes that arise in this condition. That is why some questions emerge over my mind such as, should ADHD be understood as a brain dysfunction, genetic effects or external and risked factors during pregnancy or after that? Overall, there are three causes that have an influence on ADHD in children.

The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) psychoeducational-based support group is focused on helping children at risk for or diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. The demographics will include students between the ages of 8 and 12, who struggle with attention and impulsivity, both at home and in school. Group members will learn to improve their ability to develop habits of constructive focus and attention, and to apply healthy coping skills both in school and at home. The group will conducted after school, for typically one session per week for 15 weeks. It will include educational learning, discussions, and practical exercises geared towards developing self-regulation and focusing skills.

The worldwide phenomenon known as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, has a prevalence rate of between 5.29% and 7.1% of people (Shire, 2016). The vast majority of ADHD cases occur within developed countries, such as USA and UK, where approximately 3 children in every class have the diagnosis (Green et al, 2004). ADHD is not confined to a specific age or gender, however it primarily presents within boys around aged 7. The characteristics of ADHD result in behavioral issues surrounding inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, including fidgeting, lack of concentration, impatience and interrupting conversations (NHS Choices, 2014). Left untreated these negative behaviours lead to difficulties interacting and establishing relationships, and engaging appropriately at schooling. This is problematic for the child as they tend to be marginalised and targeted for differential treatment because they frequently are deemed a ‘problem’ This then results in exclusion which leaves the child feeling isolated and suffering with low self-esteem. It is often the case that these experiences not only potentially hinder the child’s education and development, but develops into significant societal concerns. Research demonstrates damage to a child’s well-being has vast cost implications as it increases the likelihood of anti-social behaviours, unemployment and health issues (Bilow, ).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, affects about “5% of children and about 2.5% of adults” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 61). “The main features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are inattention, hyperactivity and/or impulsivity, or a combination of both” (Grohol, 2013).

When looking at the statistics one cannot deny the increase in diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children since the 21st century. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the increase has been seen as a difference from, “7.8% in 2003 to 9.5% in 2007 and to 11.0% in 2011” (p. 4). Many questions arise concerning why the numbers are on the rise, especially when boys are 7.6 percent more likely than girls to receive the diagnosis of ADHD. When should the line be drawn between a disorder, and hyperactivity that comes with childhood, especially for boys? “Efficacy of Cognitive Retraining Techniques in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” by Gaurav Rajender, Shahzadi Malhotra,