What Is AD/HD?
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KidsHealth.org All KidsHealth.org News What Is AD/HD? May 01, 2003 03:04:19 AM PST, KidsHealth.org   Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is a common childhood behavioral disorder, but it can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to understand. What should you do if your child has AD/HD, and how can you help your child deal with this disorder? Symptoms and Signs of AD/HD Children who have AD/HD may know what to do, but they are not always able to complete their tasks because they are unable to focus, are impulsive, or are easily distracted. For example, children with AD/HD often cannot sit still or pay attention in school. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) estimates that AD/HD affects between 4% and 12% of all school-age children. AD/HD can create problems for these children at home, at school, or in their relationships with friends. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), two to three times more boys than girls are affected by AD/HD, but the reason for this difference is not clear. But what is AD/HD? You may be more familiar with the term attention deficit disorder, or ADD. This disorder was renamed AD/HD in 1994 by the American Psychiatric Association and includes three subtypes: 1. an inattentive subtype (formerly known as attention deficit disorder, or ADD), with signs that include: inability to pay attention to details or a tendency to make careless errors in schoolwork or other activities difficulty with sustained attention in tasks or play activities apparent listening problems difficulty following instructions problems organizing tasks and activities avoidance or dislike of tasks that require mental effort tendency to lose things like toys, notebooks, or homework distractibility forgetfulness in daily activities 2. a hyperactive-impulsive subtype (formerly known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD) with signs that include: fidgeting or squirming difficulty remaining seated excessive running or climbing difficulty playing quietly always seeming to be "on the go" excessive talking blurting out answers before hearing the full question difficulty waiting for a turn or in line problems with interrupting or intruding 3. a combined subtype, with behaviors that include those from both of the other subtypes and can be seen with or without hyperactivity To be considered for a diagnosis of AD/HD, a child must display these behaviors before age 7 and the behaviors must last for at least 6 months. The behaviors must also be negatively affecting at least two areas of a child's life (such as school, home, daycare settings, or friendships) for a child to be diagnosed with AD/HD. All children have difficulty paying attention, following directions, or being quiet from time to time, but for children with AD/HD, these behaviors occur more frequently and are more disturbing to the children and those around them. To help your child's doctor and family doctors, the AAP recently released its first guidelines for the diagnosis and evaluation of AD/HD in children ages 6 to 12. What Causes AD/HD? AD/HD has biological origins that are not yet clearly defined. No one cause of AD/HD has been identified, but researchers have been looking at a number of possible genetic and environmental links. Research shows that some children may have a genetic predisposition toward AD/HD; it is most common in children who have close relatives with the disorder. Recent research also links smoking during pregnancy to later AD/HD in a child, and there is a strong possibility that other substance use may have the same effect. Although scientists are not sure whether this is a cause of the disorder, they have also found that certain areas of the brain (in the frontal lobes and basal ganglia) are about 5% to 10% smaller in size and activity in children with AD/HD. Hyperactivity and poor impulse control can also occur in response to significant family stress. Children who have experienced a divorce, a move, a change in school, or other significant life event may display impulsive and overly active behavior, forgetfulness, and absentmindedness, which may be misdiagnosed as AD/HD. It is important to rule out these factors when considering a diagnosis of AD/HD. Does It Coexist With Other Disorders? An added difficulty in diagnosing AD/HD is that it often coexists with other problems. Nearly half of all children with AD/HD also have oppositional defiant disorder, which is characterized by stubbornness, outbursts of temper, and acts of defiance. Mood disorders, such as depression, are commonly seen in children with AD/HD. Some children may have depression as a result of having AD/HD. They feel inept, socially isolated, and frustrated by school failures. A little extra help in social and academic areas can go a long way in helping to alleviate this type of depression. Other children may have a mood disorder that exists independently of AD/HD, which may require additional psychotherapy or medication. Many children with AD/HD also have a specific learning disability, which means that they might have trouble mastering language or other skills, such as math, reading, or handwriting. The most common learning problems are with reading and handwriting. Although AD/HD is not categorized as a learning disability, its interference with concentration and attention can make it even more difficult for a child to perform well in school.   more...   Email this Article | Printer-friendly format Archived Stories by Date: Apr 30, 2003 Apr 29, 2003 Apr 28, 2003 Apr 25, 2003 Apr 24, 2003 Apr 23, 2003 Apr 22, 2003 Apr 21, 2003 Apr 18, 2003 Apr 17, 2003 Apr 16, 2003 Apr 15, 2003 Apr 14, 2003 Apr 11, 2003 Apr 10, 2003 Apr 09, 2003 Apr 08, 2003 Apr 07, 2003 Apr 03, 2003 Apr 02, 2003 Apr 01, 2003 Mar 31, 2003 Mar 28, 2003 Mar 26, 2003 Mar 25, 2003 Mar 24, 2003 Mar 21, 2003 Mar 20, 2003 Mar 19, 2003 Mar 18, 2003 Mar 17, 2003 Mar 14, 2003 Mar 13, 2003 Mar 12, 2003 Mar 11, 2003 Mar 10, 2003 Mar 07, 2003 Mar 06, 2003 Mar 05, 2003 Mar 04, 2003 Mar 03, 2003 Feb 28, 2003 Feb 27, 2003 Feb 26, 2003 Feb 25, 2003 Feb 24, 2003 Feb 21, 2003 Feb 20, 2003 Feb 19, 2003 Feb 18, 2003 Feb 17, 2003 Feb 14, 2003 Feb 13, 2003 Feb 12, 2003 Feb 11, 2003 Feb 10, 2003 Feb 07, 2003 Feb 06, 2003 Feb 05, 2003 Feb 04, 2003 Jan 31, 2003 Jan 30, 2003 Jan 29, 2003 Jan 28, 2003 Jan 27, 2003 Jan 24, 2003 Jan 23, 2003 Jan 22, 2003 Jan 21, 2003 Jan 20, 2003 Jan 17, 2003 Jan 16, 2003 Jan 15, 2003 Jan 14, 2003 Jan 13, 2003 Jan 10, 2003 Jan 09, 2003 Jan 08, 2003 Jan 07, 2003 Jan 06, 2003 Jan 03, 2003 Jan 02, 2003 Jan 01, 2003 Dec 31, 2002 Dec 30, 2002 Dec 27, 2002 Dec 26, 2002 Dec 25, 2002 Dec 24, 2002 Dec 23, 2002 Dec 20, 2002 Dec 19, 2002 Dec 18, 2002 Dec 17, 2002 Dec 16, 2002 Dec 13, 2002 Dec 12, 2002 Dec 11, 2002 Dec 10, 2002 Dec 09, 2002 Dec 06, 2002 Dec 05, 2002 Dec 04, 2002 Dec 03, 2002 Dec 02, 2002 Nov 29, 2002 Nov 25, 2002 Nov 22, 2002 Nov 21, 2002 Nov 20, 2002 Nov 19, 2002 Nov 18, 2002 Nov 14, 2002 Nov 13, 2002 Nov 12, 2002 Nov 11, 2002 Nov 08, 2002 Nov 06, 2002 Nov 05, 2002 Nov 01, 2002 Oct 31, 2002 All Health News All KidsHealth.org News  Sponsored Links

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