ADHD

ADHD

Introduction

ADHD or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological disorder and the symptoms start appearing in preschool children, or when they reach early school years. It is accompanied with symptoms like poor impulse, moodiness, forgetfulness, hyperactivity and distractibility. ADHD children find it hard to be attentive according to the studies of Struck (2003). Around 3 to 5 percent of children suffer from ADHD. This means that in the U.S alone there are about 2 million children suffering from this complex problem. In a classroom of around 28 students, it means that at least one of the child will be suffering from ADHD.

ADHD is a developmental disorder that mostly affects pre-school children. The Fourth Revision of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual states three subcategories of ADHD. These three categories are:

predominantly inattentive

predominantly hyperactive/impulsive

Combined.

There are no defined medical procedures available at present that may enable identification of children suffering from ADHD. The testing is mostly done based on observation of the child over a period of six months. Other mostly used methods include the electrophysiological procedures, morphmetric testing or the functional neuroimaging. These methods observe the working memory of the individuals, their alertness and executive functions. However, despite being widely used, these tests have come under a lot of fire, especially with regards to their lack of sensitivity. For obtaining precise results over the prevalence of ADHD in a child, doctors mostly depend on the child's history. The history of the child at school needs to be studied at length, as well the situation at home and the child's social interaction.

Discussion

Diagnostic criteria

The DSM-IV (short form for Diagnostics and statistical Manual of mental disorders 2000 edition) offers diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Apart from diagnosis, it also provides description, research findings and treatment of the problem. The diagnosis criteria are explained below.

A). either 1 or 2.

The following six or more of the symptoms of inattention have been persisting for the past half year in the patient, such that it resulted in maladaptive and inconsistency in the development phase.

Child is unable to pay close attention to explanations involving details. He or she commits careless mistakes in completing schoolwork or other academic activities

Finds it hard to maintain attention when playing or completing tasks

Is found not listening to when he or she is directly spoken to

Fails every now and then to follow instructions, fails to complete homework, duties and chores. This failure is not on account of failure of comprehension.

Faces problems in organizing tasks and activities.

Is often found losing materials like pencils, toys, assignments and books etc which are necessary to do tasks at home or at school.

Faces distraction due to external stimuli.

Found to be occasionally distracted in his or her daily activities

A minimum of the following six or more symptoms of either hyperactivity or impulsivity are found in the individual for the past six months. These have been to the extent that they affected the individual's development level.

Hyperactivity

Is found occasionally fidgeting with feet or ...