Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Introduction

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder which people are diagnosed with when they have problems in four main areas of their lives. This area includes inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and boredom. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose one having ADHD, because people say there is no evidence of neurological differences, or the criteria is too broad. Still, about 5% of children and 3% children are known to be effected by it by many experts. After ADHD is revealed there are many treatments people could use. Stimulants are one form of treatment many people use. These stimulants include Ritalin, Dexedrine, and cylert. The most researched out of all the stimulants is Ritalin, and they're many benefits to using it. Ritalin will increase the brain's ability to inhibit itself, which makes the child less distractive and impulsive. It will also increase gross motor coordination and fine motor control. It has been proven that Ritalin works for 70-75% people who try it. But just like with most treatments, Ritalin has its drawbacks. For example, people may experience withdrawals or trough periods shortly after using the drug. Other conflict that may arise with Ritalin is loss of appetite, increased irritability and anger (too much caffeine in your body), and short-term growth inhibition. Also, people may get maniac like and schizophrenic-like disorders and become depressed. There have been cases where people even died from taking the drug. It is proven that they are much safer and wiser to use because of the widespread side effects, which come up with medications like Ritalin. Some alternative treatments that are being used include behavioral parent training, contingency management intervention in classrooms, or a Feingold diet. But just like any treatment, each treatment has their advantages and disadvantages(Disorder, 253).

Behavioral parent training involves teaching parents how to implant a system which rewards or punishes their children with ADHD with good behavior or bad behavior. Parents are taught how to appropriately encourage and reward positive behavior and how to ignore and/or punish inappropriate behavior. Therapists in multiple programs also work with teachers to develop classroom management strategies and use daily report cards on children that provide feedback on a child's performance. A program like behavioral parent training shows how drugs do not have to be prescribed to children with ADHD.

Contingency management, in contrast to the behavioral parent training, involves more intensive interventions. Contingency management involves the use ...