What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

• ADHD is a very common behavior disorder. Kids with ADHD have difficulty focusing.
• The symptoms of ADHD hurt a child's ability to function in social settings, at school,and at home

What Are the Symptoms of ADHD?

• There are three different types of ADHD: Inattentive type, Hyperactive-Impulsive type,and a Combined type.
  • Kids with the Inattentive type ADHD have trouble paying attention to or staying focused on tasks. The children are disorganized and are easily distracted.
  • Kids with Hyperactive-Impulsive type ADHD have trouble staying seated, are always "on the go," blurt out answers, and talk too much
  • Kids with Combined type ADHD have symptoms and behaviors of both Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD

How Is ADHD diagnosed?

• There is no single test to diagnose ADHD
• It is normal for all children to be inattentive or hyper at certain times, but kids with ADHD have these symptoms all the time
• ADHD symptoms are present all the time and happen in different settings, such as home, school, daycare, etc.
• Most children are diagnosed by their pediatrician, though developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists are often involved in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
• The pediatrician will do a physical exam, take a thorough medical history, and check the child's vision and hearing. Sometimes bad vision or hearing can make a child seem like he or she has ADHD.
• The pediatrician usually has parents and teachers fill out checklists about the child's behaviors
• Doctors consider the possibility that the child may have a mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety, because some of the symptoms of these can look like ADHD, but they are treated differently
• Children are often tested for learning disorders, because difficulty learning can sometimes make a child seem like he or she has ADHD
• To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must exhibit behaviors from one of the three ADHD types before the age of 12 years old
• The behaviors must be more severe than in children the same age
• The behaviors must be present for at least 6 months
• The behaviors must happen in different settings: for example, both in school and at home
• The behaviors must negatively affect a child's life: for example, it is hard for the child to make friends or to do well in school due to the behaviors

How Is ADHD Treated?

• There is no cure for ADHD. Children can have ADHD continue into adolescence and adulthood.
• Treatments focus on improving functioning and reducing symptoms
• ADHD is generally treated with a combination of medications and behavioral therapies
• Medication usually works better when a child is also receiving behavioral therapies
• All children, but especially those with ADHD, do better when they have structure in their lives
  • Children's behavior is often improved when they get enough sleep. Kids should have a set bedtime and wake up at the same time every day.
  • Children like routines. That way, the children know what to expect each day. Consistent rules and an organized environment will help a child focus.
  • Positive reinforcement is very effective. It is better to compliment and make a big deal out of good behavior than to yell at a child for doing something wrong.
• Children with ADHD might qualify for special services in school through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a behavior plan (504 plan)
  • It is VERY important for parents and teachers to communicate clearly about the child's behaviors and school performance

Content Sources:
KidsHealth, "What Is ADHD?": www.kidshealth.org
National Institute of Mental Health. "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).": www.nimh.nih.gov
Stein, M. T., and J. M. Perrin. 2003. "Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD in School-age Children in Primary Care Settings: A Synopsis of the AAP Practice Guidelines." Pediatrics in Review 24(3): 92-98.