My Experience With ADHD

ADHD is a very common neurodevelopment disorder of childhood. It is usually diagnosed in late childhood, around the age of seven by the teachers. The symptoms are typical during ages 3-6 and if not treated properly becomes chronic and persists even after entering adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, staying organized and controlling impulsive behaviors. It is very difficult to diagnose and when undiagnosed the children can grow to be mislabeled as trouble makers in their adulthood.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has a complicated and interesting history and because of that it is important to understands this disorders implications and comorbidity to better treat and diagnose it. Research done by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 11% of the US population between the ages of 4-17 are affected with ADHD; that’s 6.4 million children and the prevalence of diagnosis is only increasing (2016). It was generally assumed that ADHD was something children would grow out of but new studies show that approximately 4% of the adult population in the US are still suffering from ADHD or have developed ADHD (Breyer, J. L., Lee, S., Winters, K. C., August, G. J., & Realmuto, G. M. 2014). ADHD is

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that causes difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity. ADHD has three main subtypes. The first subtype is predominantly hyperactive-impulsive which means the child must fidget or squirm have trouble being quite, always moving and cannot sit still. The second subtype is predominantly inattentive, children who have this subtype have a small probability of acting out. They may sit quietly but are not paying attention. The last subtype is combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. Attention deficit hyperactivity is one of the most common childhood disorders that can continue into adulthood. Each subtype has 9 symptoms

Children with ASD sometimes present aggressive behavior, self-injurious behavior and tantrums that impede their ability to learn in an educational environment (home school). Sometimes medicine is used in an effort to calm the child to the point where they are able to learn in an educational environment. It is recommended that behavior therapy be considered as the first course of action. Doctors recommended Risperdal for Marginee` inability to relax. Risperdal is also used for treatment of irritability in children with ASD. For example, children that struggle with aggression, melt downs (tantrums) and self- injury. Though Marginee` did not take any other medications, there are other medication available to children with autism. For example, Zyprexa, which is used for treatment of aggression and serious behavioral, Prozac and Zoloft, are used for treatment in depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. All medicines have to be monitored due to various side effects.

Research Method: I am choosing to use the case study’s as my route of study, because they are study’s that have already been done on this subject so I can gather a lot of information in just a short amount of time. I will also ask my mom about it to because she has raised a child with ADHD so she can see the effect ADHD has on her child.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) seems to be the affliction of this generation of children. It seems more prevalent every year. However, diagnosis criteria for ADHD is so subjective, what qualifies, who qualifies? There is no specific clinical cause for ADHD but it obviously exists. So many questions remain to be answered about ADHD. Are more children really being diagnosed with ADHD annually and is it really on the rise as it appears? Are too many children being wrongly diagnosed with ADHD as an easy way out because of other behavioral problems? And when ADHD is properly diagnosed are we overmedicating our children to make it easier for parents and teachers to cope? How often are other afflictions

As the pressure on students to perform well in school becomes more apparent, students in response have started to abuse ADHD medication not prescribed to them as a way to focus in on their studies. Over 6% of high school seniors abuse these types of drugs, and this number is projected to increase as the number of ADHD (diagnoses’ ???) cases rise in the United States. My county specifically has seen a sharp rise in this type of drug misuse. This summer, I was given the opportunity to work in conjunction with the United Way of Forsyth County as an intern. I was assigned to the youth drug council awareness team with the goal of finding solutions to reduce teen ADHD drug usage in my county.

ADHD is indeed a part of the Western Culture. People are familiar with the term, treatment and some behaviors that ‘shows’ its existence; and since it has become part of the culture itself it is considered as something relatively normal -or at least common. Both sides of the debate agree on the fact that the behaviors called ADHD do exist, but is it a biological disease? A conduct disorder? Or are we as humans trying to narrow our behaviors in the way where anyone who is not as ‘efficient’ as us are considered to be ‘sick’?

Many researchers are finding more valuable discoveries about ADHD. With these new researches will parents raise a concern about their child’s health? Chances are, most parents will ask questions, as well as do research for logic reasoning. Although most parents should consider using treatment like therapy or counseling. These options should be considered first, instead of prescribed medication.

When most people sit down in class they seldom think about the amount of effort that is subconsciously exerted just to focus on what is being said. Those who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD, are constantly reminded of the daunting task that is focusing. Living with ADHD is a fatiguing task, that has adverse psychological effects on those who suffer from the disorder. The inability to focus accompanies ADHD, which opens the pathway for other complications that carry a heavy burden. These complications lower self-esteem and can generate complications amongst friends and family.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Everyone has heard of it. A few years ago every newspaper and weekly magazine had a feature about the disorder. The disorder was mostly associated with school-aged children because that was the time when most of the symptoms surfaced. Today ADHD is the most common behavior disorder diagnosed in children and teens. ADHD refers to a group of symptoms that begin in early childhood and can continue into adulthood, causing difficulties at home, at school, at work, and within the community if not recognized and treated (1). But what most people never hear was that ADHD also affects adults and if left untreated can have serious effects.

In the article, “Growing up With ADHD” by Denise Foley, there is a subsection titled, “How ADHD Affects a Child’s Life”. This article and particularly this subsection really piqued my interest because I have ADHD. I know how it is to grow up with ADHD and what it can do to your life. The subsection, “How ADHD Affects a Child’s Life”, gives a short narrative of a mother that has a child with ADHD. Then it goes on to state how kids with ADHD act and how it impacts an environment. The article lists off some subtypes of ADHD: children just with attention problems, those with impulse control and hyperactivity issues, and a group with a combination of both. The article then goes on to analyze both subtypes briefly. Then it describes the effects that

Epidemiological studies in Asia and Latin America showed similar prevalences of ADHD as in Europe and North America making it unlikely that ADHD is the product of Western culture.

Upon shadowing a fourth grade teacher at Deer Ridge Elementary School, I decided to talk with her about the students in her classroom. Mrs. Riley first set the scene of the school for me by stating that it was in the southwest suburban area of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and this particular school was not hurting for money. She then began to explain the different children in her classroom. There were twenty-eight students from a variety of different backgrounds. There were also two students with ADHD. My first thought was, "What exactly is ADHD?" and, "Would these two children stick out from the rest of the students in the classroom?".

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