Attention Concerns

What is ADHD?
ADHD is a condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to control their behavior.  It is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood.  It affects 4% to 12% of school-ages children.  About 3 times more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD.

The condition affects behavior in specific ways.

Symptoms of ADHD:

Inattention
Has a hard time paying attention, daydreams
Does not seem to listen
Is easily distracted from work or play
Does not seem to care about details, makes careless mistakes
Does not follow through on instructions or finish tasks
Is disorganized
Loses a lot of important things
Forgets things
Does not want to do things that require ongoing mental effort

Hyperactivity
Is in constant motion, as if "driven by a motor"
Cannot stay seated
Squirms and fidgets
Talks too much
Runs, jumps, and climbs when this is not permitted
Cannot play quietly

Impulsivity
Acts and speacks without thinking
May run into the street without looking for traffic first
Has trouble taking turns
Cannot wait for things
Calls out answers before the question is complete
Interrupts others

Children with ADHD may have 1 or more of the symptoms listed.  The symptoms usually are classified as the following types of ADHD:

Inattentive only (formally known as ADD)-Children with this form of ADHD are not overly active.  Because they do not disrupt the classroom and other activities, thier symptoms may not be noticed.  Among girls with ADHD this form is the most common.

Hyperactive/Impulsive -Children with this type of ADHD show both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but can pay attention.
Combined Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive -Children with this type of ADHD show all 3 symptoms.  This is the most common type of ADHD.

What causes ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most studied conditions of childhood.  But, the cause of ADHD is still not clear at this time.
Research to date has shown the following:
ADHD is a biological disorder.  Children with ADHD have problems with chemicals that send messages in the brain.
A lower level of activity in the parts of the brain that control attention and activity level may be associated with ADHD.
ADHD appears to run in families.  Sometimes a parent is diagnoses with ADHD at the same time as the child.
In very rare caes, toxins in the environment may lead to ADHD.
Very severe head injuries may cause ADHD in some cases.

Treatment:

Each child's treatment must be tailored to meet individual needs.  In most cases, treatment for ADHD should include the following:

· A long-term management plan with:

• target outcomes for behavior
• follow-up activites
• Monitioring
• Education about ADHD
• Teamwork among doctors, parents, counselors, teachers, caregivers, other health care professionals, and the child
• Medication
• Behavior therapy
• Parent training