Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder
 What is ADHD?

 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

is a chronic behavioral disorder
characterized by a persistent pattern of
impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and
inattention
 The behaviors associated with ADHD
(inattention,impulsivity,hyperactivity)
are all present in normal children. The
disorder is only diagnosed when severity
or frequency of these findings is outside
the normal range
 ADHD appears in children before 4 years old
but signs are often missed until the child attends
school.

ADHD occurs two to four times more

commonly in boys than girls (male to female
ratio 4:1 for the predominantly hyperactive type
vs. 2:1 for the predominantly inattentive type)
 What is the cause of
ADHD?
Biological Hypothesis
Explanation of hyperactivity
suggested that this particular cluster of
problems was caused by some form of
Minimal brain damage or dysfunction
Genetic Factors

Researchers believe that a large

majority of ADHD arises from a
combination of various genes,therefore
the disorder is highly heritable.
 Environmental factors

Use of prescription or illicit

drugs,alcohol and nicotine of the mother
during pregnancy can contribute to ADHD.
Over processing foods,Allergy like
intolerance to ceratin foods,Pollutants might
also be causative
 Social Factors

Relationships with other have a

profound effect on attention and self-
regulatory abilities.
 Among the potential answers to this
question…
NO SINGLE and
UNQUESTIONABLE SOLUTION HAS
BEEN DISCOVERED…
 What are the symptoms of
ADHD?
The major symptoms are:

 Inattention

 Hyperactivity

 Impulsivity
 Inattention
Six or more of the ff. symptoms have persisted for
at least 6 months an maladaptive

►Often fails to give close attention to details

or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork,
work, or other activities
►Often has difficulty sustaining attention in
tasks or play activities
►Does not seem to listen when spoken to
directly.
►Often does not follow through on
instructions and fails to finish schoolwork,
chores, or duties in the workplace.
►Has difficulty organizing tasks and
activities.
►Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage
in tasks that require sustained mental effort.
►Often loses things necessary for tasks or
activities.

►Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

►Often forgetful in daily activities.

 Hyperactivity
►Often fidgets with his/her hands or feet or
squirms in his/her seat
►Often leaves his/her seat in the classroom
or in other situations in which remaining
seated is expected.
►Runs about or climbs excessively in
situations in which it is inappropriate.
►often has difficulty playing or engaging in
leisure activities quietly.

►Often talks excessively.

►More active than expected for age.

 Impulsivity
►Often blurts out answers before questions
have been completed.

►Has difficulty awaiting his/her turn.

►Often interrupts or intrudes on others.

 Symptoms that cause present difficulties
were present before 7 years of age and are
present in two or more settings (at school/work
at home). There must be clear evidence of
significant impairment in social, academic, or
occupational functioning. And the symptoms are
not entirely caused by another severe physical
disorder
►The formal diagnosis is made by a
qualified professional in the field based on
a set number of criteria.
►Including comprehensive medical,
developmental, educational, and
psychosocial evaluations.
►Interviewing parents and child.
 Medications
Medications provide the child with the
ability to respond to other forms of therapy.

►Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
►Anti-depressants if the child is unable to
tolerate the drugs.
 Behavioral Treatment
Conducted by a mental-health professional.

►Teaching Children Coping skills.

►Social Skills Training.

►Parent Training.
 Prognosis

Research supports the clinical

observation that as many as 50% of
children with ADHD will have symptoms
persist into adulthood.
 Current areas of concern
are:
► Education: Follow-up studies of children with
ADHD growing into adolescence showed
impairment of academic success.
► Employment: Those with ADHD did have
occupations with a lower "job status.“
► Socialization issues: In studies that followed
children with ADHD into adulthood, between
12%-23% have socialization problems
►Substance abuse: The largest study to date
supports other smaller studies that indicate
ADHD patients who consistently take their
medication have twice the likelihood not to
utilize drugs or excessive alcohol.

►Teens with ADHD are two to four times

more likely to have motor-vehicle
accidents
 That’s all for ADHD..

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Neko-chan