What is ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is also called ADD for short. ADHD is a brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and hyperactivity that interferes with the everyday life of a person. This developmental impairment of the brain’s self-management system includes problems with motivation, focusing on tasks and monitoring emotions to fit any given environment (Frank). According to the article, ADHD by the Numbers: Facts, Statistics, and You, 6.4 million children in America have this mental disease. Many doctors argue whether or not there has been an increase in the diseases or an increase in the diagnosis. Who has ADHD? ADHD is often first identified in school-aged children when it …show more content…
As a child develops, the way that ADHD impacts their life changes. The impact of ADHD is determined by the environment the child is in, their support system, and whether or not they seek any treatment. A child in their preschool age with ADHD would most likely resemble a normal preschool aged child. They will be very active and have poor concentration levels. Personality characteristics at this age that may stand out would include abnormal social interactions. Preschool aged children with ADHD may have a hard time communicating and interacting with others (Harpin). A child in their primary school years may start to have noticeable ADHD characteristics. Children may not mature at the same rate as their classmates and face rejection by their fellow classmates as well as failure in the classroom due to their inability to focus. At this age evaluation for ADHD and diagnosis may occur. Once this happens a child may receive medication and counseling to help cope with the mental disease. “Previously considered a childhood-only disorder, ADHD is now known to persist into adulthood in many cases, often causing significant impairment in affected individuals” (Clinician Reviews). In young adults ADHD becomes less impacting on everyday life. The over activity of a person will most likely decrease but the
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.
The cause of ADHD is unknown. Many researchers think that ADHD is caused by genetics, brain injuries, sugar and environmental links (Hasan, S. (Ed.). Research have found that certain areas of the brain are about 5 to 10 percent smaller in size and activity in kids with ADHD (Hasan, S. (Ed.). Another study has suggested that children who are exposed to a lot of television and video games at a young age has been linked to ADHD (Hasan, S. (Ed.). Some other researcher have also linked that mothers who smoked or used alcohol doing
They may say the child is “always on the go” or “never seems to listen”. Many children with ADHD are difficult to discipline, have low frustration tolerance, and have problems in peer relations. Other common characteristics of children with ADHD include general immaturity and clumsiness. Although signs of ADHD are often present in the preschool years, their classification often doesn’t take place until the elementary school years (Kirst-Ashman, Zastrow, 2004).
While the cause of ADHD is not exactly clear, there are some different ideas of what could cause or help develop it. Genetics, one’s environment, and the development of the person could all be causes of ADHD(“Mayo Clinic”). ADHD can run in a family, so some people could develop it from their parents and the genes that get passed down from them. If one is exposed to lead, it could heighten the chances of
"ADHD rates increased with age, with youth 9 years and older 2.5 times more likely to have an ADHD diagnosis as compared with younger youth" (Lesesne, 2007). As children get older, they start to notice difficulties and usually what makes those things difficult, in which they bring these faults to light and relate them to ADHD. Children in the 9 years old and older age group are more vocal about their problems pertaining to attention and avid on being treated which causes over diagnosis as children are pushing for it as well. "Similarly, the prevalence of ADHD is known to vary with age. For example, three studies have shown decreases in prevalence with increasing age over the range 10-20 years (22), 8-15 years (23), and 6-14 years (24)" (Biederman, 2002). It is natural for people to mature and leave their hyper behaviors behind them as they get older, which supports ADHD being less prevalent as people age because symptoms fade as development continues. "Not all children with ADHD are hyperactive. But if a child is, it will show during the school-age years. You may notice other symptoms, too. He may be unable to focus, and he may have trouble making good decisions or planning things" (Wait, 2005). Yes, a child can have ADHD without being hyperactive; however, hyperactivity is arguably the most recognizable component of ADHD and without it makes it hard to notice a child has the disorder. Children of school age, especially elementary, are hyper and have difficulties staying still and paying attention because they are not used to such demands and are developing the capita to meet these demands. Evidence of ADHD prevalence in specific age groups and the decline in prevalence as age increases proves that ADHD, especially in children, is over
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.
The brain is an electrical system that communicates with other subsystems within our brains to get the smallest to the most complex things done and our brains do this constantly. This system operates on low voltage electrical impulses that carry messages from one tiny neuron to another in fractions of a second, these neurons are not physically connected; there are gaps at each point of connection and to get messages from one neuron to another, an electrical message needs to jump the gap (Brown, 2013). So, essentially children with ADHD cannot release these chemicals or they don’t jump the gap fast enough to get transmitted properly. While these factors may make the child's symptoms increase in duration or they may get worse, they are not the root cause. There are multiple possible causes that scientists are constantly researching but it still remains that researchers do not know the cause 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
Think of times you have observed preschool children. Did many of these students exhibit characteristics similar to those used to identify students with ADHD? Have you observed a young child who exhibited these behaviors at such an extreme level that you thought he or she might be identified with ADHD?
These features of ADHD can significantly decrease a child’s ability to succeed academically, socially and emotionally (Bell, 2011).
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
It is one of the most common medical conditions now worldwide and the first signs of ADHD are seen usually at the age of seven and may go on to adulthood. The persistent negative effect of this disease on lifestyle causes a lot of struggle for the patients of ADHD.
Children with ADHD may be hyperactive and unable control their impulses. Or they may have trouble paying attention. These behaviors interfere with school and home life.
Doctors and researchers are still not sure why some people have ADHD. Researchers show that the disorder of ADHD probably genetic and that it may be inherited. Scientists are also exploring other things that may be associated with ADHD. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. ADHD is more common in kids who
Scientists are studying causes and risk factors that might contribute to the development of ADHD in an attempt to better control and reduce the chances of a person having the disorder. Researchers who study the brain are coming closer to understanding what may cause ADHD. They believe that some people with ADHD don’t have enough of certain chemicals, called neurotransmitter, in the brain. These chemicals help the brain control behavior. However the exact or precise cause of the disorder remains unknown.