MEDICATING CHILDREN

Medicating Children

Medicating Children

Introduction

The study intends to provide a detailed description of the problems faced by foster children who are suffering from psychiatric and behavioral disorder. In this research, we will discuss the most common behavioral disorder in children called “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” (ADHD). Further, intervention programs and various treatment methods for ADHD in foster care, school and their homes.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the name given to a group of behaviors found in many children and adults. People with ADHD are hyperactive or distracted most of the time (Diller, 2008). Even when they are trying to focus on, it's hard to pay attention. Adults with ADHD have difficulties in organizing things, listening to instructions, remembering details and controlling their behavior (Barkley, 2006). That is why people with ADHD often have trouble getting along with others at home, at school or at work (Diller, 2008).

The attention deficit disorder is a disorder that occurs most often in children, and this has negative impact on school performance. It appears more frequently in boys than in girls, and having a percentage of 20 to 30% retention in the adult stage. There are three main types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), inattentive type, the hyperactive /impulsive and combined type (there are discussions about the compatibility of the inattentive type and hyperactive) (Diller, 2008, 47-81). This disorder occurs more frequently in boys than in girls, a ratio of three to one. Although the variety inattentive, predominantly girls, and the other two children. The ADHD, usually present comorbidity (coexistence within an individual of a disorder induced by psychoactive substance use and mental disorder) with other neuropsychiatric disorders (Barkley, 2006). Between 50 and 70% of patients diagnosed with ADHD, presents problems of social adjustment and or psychiatric problems in adolescence and young adulthood, although 20-30% continues to suffer from this condition during adulthood (Connor, 2006).

Discussion

In United States of America approximately 55,000 children are adopted each year and approximately 750,000 children are currently placed in some form of foster care. This vast majority of children (70%) have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services due to physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, or parental substance abuse. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends but does not require a routine surveillance and developmental screening to ensure that these children are well taken care of in their new homes (www.cchrstl.org). However, several children are witnessed to be suffering from psychological disorders, such as ADHD, probably due to their disturbed and unstable family background

Intervention Approaches

There are various approaches of intervention available, these approaches if known to families makes it easier for them to select the right therapist for themselves. The first approach is the Psychotherapy, this kind of approach gives the child suffering from ADHD a positive feeling about themselves. The therapist have one on one session with the child suffering from this disease and discusses the various emotions that the child goes through which leads to disturbing behaviours. By doing this new ideas of helping to ...