 |
|
|
Child Study Center
Family Education Page
From time to time on this page, we will add information of possible interest to families concerning some of the more common forms of behavioral or psychiatric problems seen in children and adolescents. ADHD Basics For Parents
DIAGNOSIS: • Three basic types : primarily inattentive (not hyperactive but frequent problems paying attention), primarily hyperactive-impulsive (the hyperactive child), and a combined type with mixed symptoms
Inattention symptoms: • Careless mistakes, attention wanders, may miss what you said • Chronic problems completing tasks • Disorganization; Hates to do tasks that require sustained mental effort • Easily distracted by things around them • Forgetful • Frequently loses things
Hyperactivity symptoms: • Fidgety, squirming in the seat; Frequently out of their seat • Excessive motor behavior for their age; Often on the go, as if their motor is stuck on fast (‘hyper”) • Difficulty playing quietly; Excessive talking
Impulsivity symptoms: • Blurting out in class or frequently interrupts • Difficulty with taking turns
Some disorders that may mimic ADHD: • Anxiety disorders: may be jittery, show increased startle response, increased autonomic arousal; may look hyperactive • Asperger's syndrome: this high-functioning autistic-like disorder includes problems with maintaining attention and focus, poor social skills • Depression: a child who is depressed has difficulty paying attention; they may be more inner-directed in their attention ( eg , thinking sad thoughts) • Behavior disorders: such as Oppositional-Defiant, Conduct disorders in which the main problems are defiance of adults, authority figures, and rules; aggression; etc.
OTHER COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF ADHD KIDS:
• Poor self-concept: because they often encounter criticism, disapproval, failure; some respond oppositely: “If I can't be good at anything else, I'll be good at being bad.” • Aggression: they are at increased risk for impulsive aggressive behavior • Academic problems: children with ADHD tend to have problems with academics; many ADHD kids also have learning disabilities • While ADHD families usually show more problems, and bad parenting can cause many child behavior problems, a child with a difficult temperament such as ADHD can cause good parents to fall into bad parenting practices
Other issues in ADHD:
• There is still no clear understanding of why ADHD develops, although current evidence suggests genetic or neurological explanations. However, environmental and learning factors can also be important. The healthier the family, environment, and support system, the less likely any problems from ADHD will be severe. • Dietary issues: there isn't really any good evidence that as a group, ADHD kids are made worse by certain foods; if it is true, it may only be for certain individuals, whether or not they have ADHD. • Research shows that improvement is best with a combination of medication and psychosocial interventions (usually behavior programs, parenting, school contact). • Kids don't usually outgrow ADHD, although the hyperactivity often decreases and they can learn to cope better with the basic symptoms. • Just because a child can sustain attention when doing something they like does not rule out ADHD ADHD Readings and Resources
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. NIH Consensus Statement Online 1998 Nov 16-18; [cited 2000, 5-22]; 16(2): 1-37. See web site at: http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/110/110_intro.htm Books for Children and Teens:
Books for Parents:
Support Groups and Organizations Attention
Deficit Information Network (Ad-IN)
ADD
Warehouse
Children
and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
Council
for Exceptional Children
UAMS Department of Psychiatry |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
