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Shakeena Lubin
Professor Wolcott
ENC 1102
31 March 2015
ADHD: What We Know, and What We Can Learn
This literacy review will give an inside look on different topics that may arise when
discussing and learning about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD.
There has been conflict when it comes to spotting ADHD in a child, many parents and caregivers
arent completely sure if the child is showing signs of ADHD or is simply misbehaving as a child
that age would do (Anastopoulos, et al 2015; Bailey, 2011; Bussing, et al 2014; Rodriguez, et al
2015; Schusteff, et al 2006). Due to the different questions that arise with ADHD, psychologist
were able to label the different types of ADHD (Boyse, et al 2009; Sears, 2015; Smith et all,
2015; Wait, 2014). The first step in dealing with an ADHD child is getting treatment, there are
several different ways to help treat an ADHD child whether it be in the privacy of your own
home or seeking help from professionals (Anastopoulos, et al 2015; Bussing, et al 2014; Martin,
2015; Ramnarace, 2015; Schwarz, et al 2013; Sears, 2015). It may be hard to deal with an
ADHD child, but a parent should always remember to praise the child instead of punishing the
child, doing this will help the child get a better understanding of what the disorder is (Sears,
2015; Smith et al, 2015; Wait, 2014). After reading this literacy review, you will have a better
understanding of the different aspects when it comes to ADHD.
Whats The Difference?

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Imagine walking into your living room and your child is playing on the top of the coffee
table, immediately you will stop your child and punish them. What if you dont? The child would
then believe that playing on the coffee table is okay. Whether a child has ADHD or is simply
misbehaving, a parent should treat the situation the same way.
Although, it is more difficult for an ADHD child to control certain things that they do,
they are supposed to have an understanding of what they should and should not do. When
confused, a parent should look at each situation as a combination of behavior and ADHD
(Bailey, 2011).
The Different Types of ADHD
The three primary characteristics of ADD/ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and
impulsivity (Smith, et al, 2015). Inattentive ADHD is when a child is not being able to pay close
attention to something even when trying their best, examples such as: watching television,
paying attention in class, and/or when having a simple conversation with someone. Hyperactivity
is the most common type of ADHD that a child is diagnosed with. A hyperactive child will have
trouble sitting still or sitting for a long period of time, fidgeting and squirming around when
needed to stay still and complete a task. The last type of ADHD is impulsivity, blurting out at the
wrong time, not thinking about their action before completing it, and often interrupts another
person.
The Best Means of Treatment
Unlike many disorders, medication alone will not help treat ADHD. Treatment for
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has two important components
psychotherapy interventions (for both the child and the parents; or the adult with ADHD) and

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medications (Martin, 2015). A parent should try to consult a psychotherapist to help them with
their child and the disorder. There are many different medications that can help a child with
ADHD, but a parents of children with ADD/ADHD shouldn't over-rely on drugs to solve
problems. While medication is very helpful in getting children with ADHD to calm down and
focus, it is not a magic pill nor is it a one-size-fits-all treatment (Ramnarace, 2015). Having
the child take the medication and going to a therapist and/or a psychologist will help the child in
times of need.
Praise, Dont Punish
Good discipline requires good communication. Connect with your child, set reasonable
expectations, and reward good behavior, and soon you'll spend less time yelling and more time
praising your child's accomplishments (Ramnarace, 2015). When it comes to having a child or
loved one with ADHD a caregiver should always remember to praise their loved one. Have a
strict set of rules, the more you enforce the rules the better the understanding. People usually
learn better by doing themselves, just as someone with ADHD, they learn not to do certain things
because they know that it is wrong.
Conclusion
ADHD as a whole comes with many confusion and misunderstandings. As a parent
and/or caregiver of an ADHD person, always remind oneself that it is not a lot of work, it is
helping the one you love the most to get better. Then we ask, what about the parents and
caregivers themselves, do they not have a say so in this particular situation? In all, not many
sources give much information on how a parent and/or caregiver feels when it comes to having
someone close to them be diagnosed with ADHD.

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Research can be done on this specific topic by simply having those caregivers of ADHD
patients take the survey and simply asking their initial feelings, how do those who have a child
that doesnt have ADHD feel about the situation, and lastly asking after treatment and a better
understanding of ADHD how do they feel now about their loved one. Doing this will be able to
help those around cope better with the situation, now that they know others feel the same way as
them.

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Works Cited
Anastopoulos, Arthur, Erika E. Klinge, and E. Paige Temple. "The Key Components of a
Comprehensive Assessment of ADHD." IdoOnline. n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.
Bailey, Eileen. "Children with ADHD: Symptoms vs. Misbehaviors." Symptoms vs. Misbehaving
in Children with ADHD. HealthGuide, 03 May 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.
Boyse, Kayla, and John O'Brien. "ADHD: What Parents Need to Know" Med.umich. 1 July
2009. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Bussing, Regina, and John M. Grohol. "Childhood / Teenage Attention Deficit Disorder An
Introduction to ADHD in Children & Teenagers." Psychcentral. Psychcentral, 16 May
2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
Martin, Ben. "Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)." Psych Central. PsychCentral,
n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.
Ramnarace,

Cynthia.

"ADD/ADHD

Children:

Effective

Discipline

Techniques."

EverydayHealth.com. EverydayHealth, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.

Rodriguez, Diana, and Bass III, Pat F.. "ADHD Symptoms and Your Child's Behavior."
Everyday Health. Everyday Health Media. n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
Sears, William. "ADHD or Immaturity?" Parenting. n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
Schusteff, Arlene. "Is Preschool Too Young to Diagnose ADHD in Children?" Additudemag.
New Hope Media, 1 Nov. 2006. Web. 26 Feb. 2015
Schwarz, Alan, and Sarah Cohen. "A.D.H.D. Seen in 11% of U.S. Children as Diagnoses Rise."
NYTimes. 31 Mar. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.

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Smith, Melinda, Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal. "ADD / ADHD in Children Signs and
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder in Kids." Helpguide. n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.
Wait, Marianne. "How to Recognize ADHD Symptoms at Every Age." Webmd. 6 June 2014.
Web. 5 Mar. 2015