A New Village  

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a developmental and behavioral disorder that affects 3% to 5% of all school age childlren. Although it is usually diagnosed during childhood, it does persistent into adolescents and even adulthood The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD are usually easily distracted by sights and sounds in their environment, are unable to concentrate for long periods of time on low stimulation tasks, are restless and impulsive, have a tendency to daydream, and are slow to complete tasks. In addition they tend to be forgetful, make careless mistakes, be disorganized, be restless and hyperactive, talk excessively, have difficulty waiting their turn, and interrupts or intrudes on others. In addition, adolescents with ADHD tend to struggle maintaining friendships, experience academic difficulty, have poor problem solving skills, have problems with aggressive and oppositional behaviors, and may engage in more risky behavior (drugs, sex, automobile accidents) than other teens.

The causes of ADHD are unknown, however it is not caused by home or school situations or parenting.  Research supports genetic and neurological contributions to this disorder. There is no single test or method to diagnose ADHD. It is usually diagnosed after a child has shown some or all of the symptoms  on a regular basis across at least two different environments for at least six months. The diagnosis involves gathering information from parents, caregivers, and/or teachers, oberserving the child in various environments, and formal testing with the child.

Although there is no cure for the ADHD, treatment can help manage the symptoms. Medication is an option that successfully helps manage the symptoms of ADHD. If medication is a consideration, a child psychiatrist would be most helpful, however a pediatrician may also be able to provide information about the various medication treatments available.  Other options for the treatment of ADHD include, cognitive behavior therapy, behavior therapy, child behavior management methods, and social skills training. The most successful intervention program is a multimodal approach, which is a combination of the various interventions discussed above.  

As a parent one  of the best ways to help a child with ADHD is to learn as much about this disorder as possible. One resource for parents or anyone interested in learning more about ADHD is the organization Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). It is a national organization with many local chapters. Visit their website at www.chadd.com to learn about the chapter closest to you.