About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Most parents would agree that every child occasionally has trouble sitting still or being quiet, but when that difficulty permeates every aspect of the child's life or is carried into adulthood, it could indicate a neurobiological disorder known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Whether you are someone with ADHD or a parent of a child with the condition, you need to know that effective treatment is available to help you control these symptoms.

Symptoms

• Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to be daydreamers. They often seem to not pay attention and get easily distracted, not just from schoolwork, but also from play. They are forgetful and seem to always be moving. They talk more than they should, squirm and fidget more than their peers and seem unable to play quietly. They do not always think before they act, and they often interrupt other people. While most children exhibit these behaviors from time to time, in children with ADHD they are practically constant.

Types

• ADHD typically falls into one of three categories, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The predominantly inattentive type is the child who has trouble finishing a task, paying attention to small details or following instructions thoroughly. This person regularly forgets the daily routine. The predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type is the child that fidgets and talks a lot, cannot sit still and often acts impulsively. Many children exhibit both types, and this is known as a combined type of ADHD.

Cause

• According to CHADD, an ADHD advocacy organization, the causes of ADHD have not yet been identified. Scientists do know the condition is caused by neurobiological factors, but what triggers those factors is still unknown. Genetics may play a role, as parents who had ADHD often have children with the condition. Brain injury can cause it, as can premature birth, prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco, high levels of lead in the body and pregnancy difficulties.

Diagnosis

• Parents who suspect their child has ADHD need to discuss the symptoms with the child's doctor. Because the symptoms can also be signs of a variety of learning disabilities and anxiety disorders, the physician will order several tests to rule out other problems. Hearing and vision tests, for example, can rule out a physical reason for inattentiveness. The physician will likely have the child evaluated by a learning disabilities expert to rule out other problems. If there are no other causes and the child exhibits several symptoms of ADHD, the doctor will likely diagnose the condition.

Medications

• The goal of treatment is managing the symptoms, as ADHD has no cure. One way to do this is through medication. Stimulant and nonstimulant medications are available. According to the CDC, nonstimulants cause fewer side effects and have the ability to control symptoms for up to 24 hours. Finding the right medication is a difficult balancing act, as each child responds differently to the different drugs. Physicians, parents and educators must work together to find the right medication balance for each child, monitoring symptoms and making adjustments as needed.

Behavior Therapy

• Behavior therapy is another aspect of ADHD treatment. This involves helping the child stay organized, setting a routine to follow, limiting distractions and limiting choices. Parents are taught to reward positive behavior and use effective discipline techniques. Building self-esteem through encouraging the pursuit of a hobby or talent is an important part of behavior therapy for children with ADHD. Some parents find that they can control their child's symptoms without the use of medication if they carefully control the home and school environments.

ADHD Myths

• ADHD has been the source of several myths. Some claim it is not a real disorder, and rather is the fault of parents who do not discipline their children properly. The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. surgeon general would disagree. Another common myth is that ADHD affects only children. While many children do outgrow ADHD or learn to manage their symptoms successfully as adults, research published by the National Resource Center on ADHD indicates that approximately 2 percent of adults also have the condition.