 ADHD - What is it? |
07 Oct 08 |
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ADHD |
ADHD is a medical term for a characteristic group of symptoms which, if untreated, may lead to under achievement and poor social skills, despite normal intellect and quality parenting. ADHD is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity and over activity. It affects between 4-6 percent of school age children and between 2-4 percent of adults.
There is no doubt that ADHD leads to impairments in major life activities, including social relations, education, family functioning, occupational functioning, self sufficiency and adherence to social rules, norms and laws. It appears to affect more boys than girls and occurs in all ethnic groups. ADHD often runs in families.
The condition is widespread, poorly understood and frequently remains undiagnosed. It often causes distress in family, work and social situations, mainly from unrealistic expectations, condemnation and rejection.
ADHD children do not mature at the appropriate rate in early childhood and they are often slow in acquiring skills. They do mostly what ‘normal’ children do except it is louder, longer, more often and to the extreme. Most children will carry some of the symptoms into adulthood, with an increased tendency to alcohol and drug abuse and ongoing emotional difficulties.
Each person will vary in the type, number, frequency and severity of their symptoms. To determine the best treatment a medical and educational assessment is recommended. ADHD people are usually energetic, enthusiastic and creative; intuitive, sensitive and highly intelligent. Capturing those special attributes is one of the goals of treatment.
PRESCHOOL
Research has shown that ADHD can be recognised by the age of three. Up to this age the executive control in the frontal lobes of the brain are very immature. The average preschool child has plenty of active, unthinking behaviour, but when ADHD is also present, this produces a double dose of disinhibition. This can be devastating to parents who aren’t aware of what they are dealing with.
These early years have a significant effect on all the family members; parents; siblings and grandparents and extended family, aunts, uncles etc. Knowing and understanding are the keys to success for a family.
Poor behaviour is not the sole resolve of ADHD. It does occur in other children, but with less intensity and a different response to discipline. Parents, who do not accept that their ADHD child is different, can expect trouble.
SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS
Early Signs (Baby and Toddler)
* Colic, cries a lot, difficult to hold and cuddle
* Cot rocking, head banging, poor sleepers
* Nappy rash, fussy eaters
* Runs away, bites, hits, dominates others
* Appears to have unusual strength
* Climbs, can have little or no fear of danger
* Demands constant entertainment and attention
* Excessive restlessness, in constant motion
* Needs constant supervision
* Easily frustrated, tantrums, moody
* Aggressive, destructible, devious and defiant
Physical Symptoms:
* Excessive thirst and perspiration
* Poor temperature control
* Prone to ear infections, allergies, food intolerance eczema and asthma
CHILDREN
A medical professional will make a formal diagnosis usually around 5 or 6 years of age. Children need to be assessed and diagnosed by someone who specialises in ADHD, such as a pediatrician or a psychiatrist. A thorough investigation needs to be carried out to exclude any other pathological conditions.
The diagnosis needs input from an educational psychologist for a standard intelligence test, followed by specialised assessments for any possible learning difficulties. A rating scale from the child’s teacher is also required. Parental input is critical for an accurate diagnosis.
Common Symptoms:
* Inattention Easily distracted, poor short term memory
* Forgets instructions, fails to finish tasks
* Disorganised, appears not to hear
* Learning difficulties
* Hyperactivity Excessive restlessness, in constant motion
* Has difficulty in sitting still or staying seated
* Has a ‘driven’ quality, runs and jumps
* Insatiable (never satisfied, never enough)
* Can also be Hypoactive (under active)
* Impulsivity Acts without thought or sense of safety
* Unpredictable behaviour
* Needs constant supervision
* Interrupts and intrudes on others
* Emotional Instability Easily frustrated, tantrums. moody
* Impatient, intolerant, extremes of feeling
* Irrational, overreacts to touch, pain and sound
* Peer rejection, low self esteem
* Antisocial Behaviour Oppositional behaviour/conduct disorder
* Aggressive, destructive, defiant, devious
* Argumentative, swears, fascination with fire
* Can act with cruelty and violence, steals
* Unresponsive to punishment, lies
* Co ordination Difficulties Clumsy, lacks good balance
* Difficulty in dressing, lacing and buttoning
* Poor ball skills, mixed left-right dominance
* Writing at times large and spidery
* Reversal in letters and spelling
* Physical Symptoms Excessive thirst and perspiration
* Poor temperature sense control
* Ear troubles (infections, glue ear)
* Eye trouble (dark circles, puffiness, squint)
* Headaches, muscle or stomach pains
* Digestive upsets, air hunger
* Food and drink cravings e.g. sugar, milk
* Prone to infections e.g. colds, allergies, eczema, hives
Source
www.adhd.co.nz
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