Perceptions of ADHD
Introduction
My name is Rachel Pankin and I am an undergraduate at George Mason University studying Developmental Psychology and Applied Behavioural Analysis. This paper is an analysis and comparative of ADHD with Autism and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, along with in-depth analysis of the IRIS Modules Perceptions of Disability and Classroom Management: Learning the Components of a Comprehensive Behavior Management Plan, and the documentary “Medicating Kids” by PBS. I chose this specific assignment based on my own experience with ADHD, and the desire to better understand the disorder.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined in the American Psychiatric
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This was later amended in 1987 to the term ADHD that we use today (Lange, 2010, pg. 1).
Characteristics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder According to the site Inclusion Resource, an established resource on disabilities and inclusion techniques, ADHD is a high- incidence disorder, meaning this disorder, and others like it, occur in 80% of all students with disabilities. ADHD is a disorder that presents before the age of twelve, last for more than six months and can continue into adulthood. The symptoms cannot occur during schizophrenia or be better explained by another disorder, however, it can occur concurrently with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The causes of ADHD are unknown, however there is evidence that it is partially heritable. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, but there are several steps to ensure the diagnosis is sound. The doctor looks at the symptoms, then rules out all other possibilities, including drug, medications or any other psychiatric problems (ADHD Institute). The one of main symptoms is inattention: such as failure to give close attention to details, not listening when spoken to directly, trouble organising tasks, easily distracted and loses necessary objects. The next main symptom is hyperactivity or impulsivity, or the urge to fidget, leaving seat when not appropriate, talking excessively, trouble waiting turn, or being unable to stay
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly found disorder in children in the United States. Statistics show that the male to female ratio for children with ADHD is eight to one. 4.4 million Children between the ages four to seventeen have diagnosed with ADHD (Cheng Tina L et al.). African American children are at a higher risk for having ADHD. Caucasian children are least likely to have ADHD. 2.5 million children receive medication for ADHD, but African American children are half as likely as Caucasian children to take ADHD medication(Cheng Tina L et al.). If African American children do not take medication for ADHD the child will most likely do drugs, drop out of school, or find it harder to receive a job when they get older. There is not cure for children who have ADHD, but there is medication children can take to decrease their hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. Adderall, Methylin, Concerta, and Focalin are some of the medications given for children who have ADHD. Methylphenidate is the most common medication prescribed by physicians for ADHD. “Methylphenidate takes effects within fifteen minutes of taking it and lasts between four and twelve hours a day.” (Hughes, Katsiyannis, and Ryan). Although medication is out there for the children to take, some of the medication given haves negative side effects. ADHD is not preventable. Parents should not only avoid drinking, smoking, or doing any other type of drugs to prevent ADHD, but also to prevent
Families who have children with ADHD often experience much higher anxiety and stress levels. A large number of children, almost half, will exhibit signs of ADHD by the age of four. However, most children are not diagnosed until he or she reaches elementary school. The behaviors that are associated with ADHD in children put them at risk for a host of other problems and complications such as completing their education, alcohol and other drug abuse, and an increased risk for delinquency. There has been much research on ADHD in recent years and many different types of medications and interventions have proven to be quite helpful. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, children with ADHD can learn to cope with the daily demands of the classroom, social situations, family interactions, and life in general.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) signifies a major public health problem. Diagnoses continue to rise each year, yet the rates of treated ADHD are declining. There is a lot of controversy about treatments for ADHD today. Helpful treatment options like medications and therapies are receiving negative views with many saying that treatment is not necessary or the negatives outweigh the benefits. Those against treatment cite problems like substance abuse and negative side effects. However, ADHD greatly impacts a person’s life, as well as everyone in that person’s life. Treatments help tremendously, relieving many of the symptoms and improving functioning capabilities. Despite the negativity recently about treatments for ADHD, treatments are necessary.
Historically, there are records of disorders that are similar to ADHD as early as the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was known by a variety of names during the 20th century including: Encephalitis Lethargica, Minimal Brain Damage, Minimal Cerebral Palsy, Mild Retardation, Minimal Brain Dysfunction, Hyper-kinesis, Atypical Ego Development, and Attention Deficit Disorder, otherwise known as ADD (Rafalovich). The most commonly talked about starting point of the history of ADHD starts with lectures called the Goulstonian lectures, given by George Frederic Still in 1902. He observed children who were experiencing severe problems with sustained attention and self-regulation, who were often aggressive, defiant, and resistant to discipline, excessively emotional or passionate, who showed little inhibitory volition, and could not learn from the consequences of their actions
This proposal explores the current research and literature on college students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Findings suggest that college students with ADHD/ADD experience academic and psychological difficulties that put them at a greater risk for earning low grade point averages, being on academic probation, and not graduating from college. These research findings serve as a rationale for implementing a structured skills development’ support group for college students diagnosed with or presenting
When ADHD was recognized it first appeared as “Hyperkinetic reaction of childhood” leaving out characteristics of impulsivity. Later in 1980 ADHD was renamed as “Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)” suggesting that hyperactivity was not important to the criteria of the disorder. Although ADHD criteria have changed over time the idea of where it originates has remain the same.
There is no biological marker for the diagnostics of ADHD, surveys of population shows that ADHD is in most cultures. Five percent of children, 2.5% of adults, when the kids are toddlers and we see different behaviors from them we automatically think something is wrong. When at times there is no need to panic because having ADHD isn’t a bad thing at all, as long as you get it taken care of when it needs to be taken care of. During the elementary school years, that’s when ADHD is the most identified. It can truly be mistaken for something else if it is not watched closed enough.
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.
Throughout our lifetimes we come across many different opportunities to make decisions that can lead us to success or to complete destruction of our lives. Making mistakes is a common part of life but when poor decisions seem to overtake a person’s lifestyle and a pattern surfaces it is possible they have a psychological disorder that needs to be treated. Mr. Needham presented with a history of periods of impulsivity and depression. His pattern of symptoms fulfill several of the defining criteria for bipolar I disorder.
ADHD was first mentioned in 1902. Sir George Still, British pediatrician, described “an abnormal defect of moral control in children.” He found that some “mentally retarded” children could not control their behavior the way a typical child would. However, they were still intelligent.
Have you known someone to be on the go, to the point they just can’t stop and relax? Have you ever known someone to have a hard time focusing to you while you’re in a conversation with them? It’s not because they are not interested in the conversation. It’s just that their brain functions differently. They may have what’s called ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV) states that “the essential feature of ADHD is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and serve than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development” (p.78). There are three subtypes of ADHD:
It’s normal for a child to occasionally forget to do their homework, get fidgety when they lose interest in an activity, or speak out of turn during class time. But inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are all signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neuro-development disorder and can start as early as three years old throughout adulthood. People with ADHD have trouble focusing on tasks and activities, this can have a negative impact on the individual in different ways. It can make the child feel alone, incompetent, and powerless and those that don’t understand this behavior only intensified their struggle. Family and schools have a major impact on the life of a child suffering with ADHD. Parents who
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 purpose of this research proposal is to evaluate how to support the positive classroom behavior of middle school students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The proposed study will examine the effects of the implementation of an evidence-based behavioral support technique on the on-task behavior of students with ADHD in the classroom environment. The information provided in this study may be extremely beneficial for middle school educators who are in need of guidance regarding the management of the off-task behavior of students with ADHD, as this behavior may potentially cause numerous disruptions in the classroom. In addition to supporting the positive classroom behavior of students
“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity” (CHADD). “It is a neurobiological disorder that affect 3-7 percent of school age children and may be seen as before the age of 7. The current diagnostic label is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, however, in the past several other names have been used, such as brain-damaged, minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic impulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder (CHADD). ADHD is a controversial disorder. Some understand it to be a true disability, while others believe “good teaching and discipline at home resolve the problems” (Kauffman 2005).