“ ADHD, a disorder beginning in childhood, characterized by a persistent inability to sit
still, focus attention on specific tasks, and control impulses,” contributed by Michael Woods to
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most
common mental disorders of childhood. Many children grow out of ADHD by adolescent or
adult years, but many do not. Studies show ADHD in adulthood is more severe and may cause
long term effects.
Diagnosing ADHD is very difficult, because most children are inattentive, hyperactive, and
impulsive at least some of the time. When diagnosing there is no blood test, or written test to
determine if ADHD is present. All there is are guidelines and an educated guess. The guidelines
include, “ A disturbance of at least six months during which at least eight of the following are
present:
1. often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat
2. has difficulty remaining seated when required to do so
3. is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
4. has difficulty awaiting turn in games or group situations
5. often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed
6. has difficulty following through on instructions from others
7. has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities
8. often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another
9. has difficulty playing quietly
10. often talks excessively
11. often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him or her
13. often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home ( e.g.. pencils )
14. often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering possible
consequences ( not for thrill seeking purposes ) e.g.. runs into the street without looking
The above items are listed in descending order of discriminating power based on data from
national field trial of the DSM-III-R criteria for Disruptive Behavior Disorders,” contributed Sam
& Michael Goldstein to Managing Attention Disorders in Children page11. In order to diagnose
ADHD, these symptoms must occur more frequent than children of the same age and must occur
in more than one sitting.
90% of ADHD patients take Ritalin, a mild central nervous system stimula…
… middle of paper …
…illness, it
is very hard to diagnose and is very frustrating for an ADHD parent. ADHD is usually controlled
by Ritalin, a mild nervous system stimulant. Due to the fact that there is no true way to determine
ADHD, it is often a misdiagnosis of a child acting like a child.
Works Cited
“ADD,” What causes ADD?, 1997, Netscape Navigator 22 November
/page_341_826.asp>.
“ADD/ADHD,” Diagnosing ADHD/ADD in Children 1999, Netscape Nvigator
22 November 1999.
r/page_341_822.asp>.
“ADHD Medications,” Are Medicines OK for My Child? 1998, Netscape
Navigator 22 November 1999,
.
Corley, Gwendolyn, interview, December 9,1999
Flick, Grad L. Ph.D ADD/ADHD Behavior-Change Resource Kit West
Nyack, New York: 1998
Glodstein, Sam and Michael, Managing Attention Disorders in Children.
Canada: 1990 John Wiley and Sons Inc.
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