Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What is Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder ?
Attention deficit disorder / Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD for short) is one of the more common neurological developmental disorder that affects children, adolescents, and adults. Children afflicted with ADHD are inattentive, quick tempered, impulsive and quite restless to the point that they find it almost impossible to sit still. As per reports almost one-third of children are described by their parents as overactive, and 5-20% of school children are described by teachers, these reports describe a spectrum of behavior ranging from normal high spirits to a severe persistent disorder. It is important to point out here that Attention Deficits Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) denotes the functionally impairing persistent end of the spectrum. Early intervention in ADHD can help a child achieve age appropriate goals and assimilate better in school and society. Indeed with the right therapies children can learn to target this hyperactivity into excellence in sports and inattentiveness can be converted to hyperfocus and extreme skill at certain activities
As per reports as many as 11 percent of children in India at the primary level and 5 percent children worldwide have one form or another of ADHD.
ADHD Symptoms
- Lack of attention
- Mood swings and easy to anger
- Difficulty in time-management
- Hyperactivity
- Fidgeting
- Stress-related problems
ADHD Rates
The following are statistics on ADHD pertaining to age:
- The median age of diagnosis in children is 6 years old, indicating that 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD were diagnosed by the age of 6.
- The median age of severe diagnosis in children is 4 years old, meaning that 50% of children diagnosed with severe ADHD were diagnosed by the age of 4.
- From 2001 to 2004, 8.7% of adolescents (teens aged 13 to 18) were diagnosed with ADHD.
- From 2001 to 2003, approximately 4% of adults had ADHD.
- In a 2013 study, children aged 12 to 17 represented the largest percentage of ADHD diagnoses at 11.8%. Children aged 6 to 11 accounted for 9.5%, and children aged 4 to 5 made up 2.7%.
A deeper look shows that:
ADHD & Co-Occurring Diagnoses
- According to a 2016 parent study, 5 in 10 children with ADHD had a behavior problem. In that same study, 3 in 10 had anxiety.
- The CDC states that depression and autism spectrum disorder can also affect those diagnosed with ADHD.
- Another 2016 study found that 2 out of 3 children had at least one other co-occurring disorder. 1 in 6 children with ADHD suffered from depression while 1 in 7 children with ADHD had autism spectrum disorder.
ADHD Types
There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual:
It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.
Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.
Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change over time as well.
Restlessness, overactivity, and related symptoms often start before school age. sometimes the child overactive as a baby, but more often significant problems begin when the child starts to walk; they are constantly on the move, interfering with objects and exhausting their parents. But with a timely diagnosis and the right treatment plan, these children can go on to turn their lives around for the better!
What Causes ADHD?
In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including:
- Brain Injury
- Exposure to environmental risks (e.g. lead) during pregnancy or at a young age
- Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy
- Premature delivery
- Low birth weight
Important note to parents: As a precaution, parents should request pediatricians to conduct routine developmental tests to check if the child has met developmental and language milestones.
Screening At Home For Adhd
Children afflicted with Attention Deficits Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) display many of the following symptoms:
- Fail to finish the things started
- Shift from one uncompleted activity to another
- Do not seems to listen
- Are easily distracted by external stimuli
- Often lose things
- Are fidgety
- Find it difficult to sit in one place for long
- Prefer to always keep moving
- Talk excessively
- Interfere in other people’s activities
- Act before thinking on the spur of the moment
- Find it difficult in waiting for their turn at work or play
GETTING A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosing ADHD is a complicated process as there are no medical tests, such as blood tests, which can be used to diagnose it. It can ony be diagnosed through direct observation by the right medical personnel.
Specialist Medical personnel that diagnose ADHD include Child Psychologists/Psychiatrists, Child Neurologists and Developmental Pediatricians.
- Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
- Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
- Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
- Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
- Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
- Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
- Is often easily distracted
- Is often forgetful in daily activities.
- Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:
- Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
- Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
- Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
- Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
- Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
- Often talks excessively.
- Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
- Often has trouble waiting their turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
In addition, the following conditions must be met:
- Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
- Several symptoms are present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
- There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
- The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder). The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
Treating Adhd
Generally, ADHD is treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Training for parents is highly recommended as the first line of treatment. Nearly 70% of children with ADHD are taking medication for their symptoms.
Being healthy is important for all children and can be especially important for children with ADHD. In addition to therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier for your child to deal with ADHD symptoms. Here are some healthy behaviors that may help:
- Developing healthy eating habits such as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and choosing lean protein sources
- Participating in daily physical activity based on age
- Limiting the amount of daily screen time from TVs, computers, phones, and other electronics
- Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age
Every child or adult with autism has unique strengths and challenges and so each autism intervention or treatment plan should be tailored to address their specific needs. The treatment plan includes therapies that can broadly be classified into the following three groups.
Special Education
Occupational therapy
ABA Based Behavioural therapy
we can help
We, at EduPlay Therapy offer a supportive and interactive environment for young minds to learn and grow. We offer Special Education, Occupational Therapy, ABA Based Behaviour Therapy and Speech Therapy for specially abled children with conditions such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. We also provide parent training sessions to ensure that every parent can be an active participant in their child’s recovery. To know more about our services click here.
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