Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is thought to be a chemical discrepancy in the part of the brain that controls a persons ability to concentrate and perform simple tasks like paying attention.  A child with ADHD will probably stand out in a crowd as being hyperactive or to the other extreme the child may be in a day dream like state.

A child with ADHD is very easily distracted, and tends to do things on impulse where as other children of the same age may think or know what they are doing is wrong, a child with ADHD often doesn’t know when to stop and when no means no.  Instructions also cause problems for children with ADHD, and following a set of instructions or an instruction from a pier or teacher can cause problems.  Socialising is hard for these children too as children with ADHD are usually very intelligent for their age and find socialising with adults easier than with children of the same age. 

ADHD: A Child's Diagnosis

It is thought that there is a genetic link between children with ADHD and family members, it is usually the males that this disorder occurs in, there is no cure for ADHD and the condition can continue through into adult life.  With the right sort of help then this condition can be controlled to enable the sufferer to lead a normal life.

There are three types of ADHD these are ADHD combined type, ADHD predominantly inattentive type and ADHD predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type.  The first ADHD combined type is the most common a child with this type of ADHD demonstrates six or more symptoms from each category.  The three main symptoms for which any doctor will look for in a child is hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.  For any child to be diagnosed with ADHD then symptoms must have been present for six months or more and have been present before seven years of age.  The symptoms demonstrated must also have a significant impact on at least two of the following school, work or home.

In girls the symptoms tend to be of inattention and for boys the symptoms are hyperactivity.

Bad parenting is not the cause of ADHD, although some aspects of family life can often impact on children, such as a stressful environment.  ADHD is found more commonly in families whom certain lifestyles.  A child’s diet is not to blame for their ADHD although fish oil is thought to help some suffers.

Restlessness and hyperactivity are also common traits found in adults with ADHD, but adults find it difficult to relax and are constantly feeling on edge. 

Although more children are being diagnosed with ADHD it is thought that only  around 3 per cent suffer from this disorder, although there are some studies which have shown that up to 19 per cent of children actually suffer from this disorder.  It is much more common in boys than in girls, but this is mainly due to the fact that it is much more easy to spot in a boy due to the hyperactivity, many girls are undiagnosed with ADHD thus being untreated.

If you think that you have a child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
then the first place to visit is your Doctor.  It is very difficult to diagnose by a doctor unless the symptoms are extreme.  Once your child begins primary school you will have a better idea as to whether your child has this disorder as the teacher will be able to pick your child out as being different from the rest of the class.
 
Once your child has been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, then they will be referred on to specialists for further tests and support.