Background What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition related, partial, to the brain's chemistry and anatomy that affects an estimated 3-7 percent of the school age population.
ADHD demonstrate itself as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that occurs more frequently and more severely than is typically observed in people at comparable levels of development. Behaviors generally are observed before age 7.
In order to diagnose that someone has ADHD the symptoms should be present in at least two places, e.g., at school, home, community, childcare setting, and for at least 6 months. They should occur more often and be more severe than for other kids of the same age or developmental level (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd.htm; http://www.adhd-global.org/adhd.htm) ADHD begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood as well. While some children outgrow ADHD, about 60 percent continue to have symptoms into adulthood. According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), the symptoms of ADHD fall into three categories: Inattention, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity, and a combination of the two.
·        Inattentive: can't seem to get focused or stay focused on a task or activity ·        Hyperactive/Impulsive: very active and often acts without thinking ·        Combined: inattentive, impulsive, and too active (http://www.adhd.com) Some of the warning signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions, easy distract, inability to organize oneself and school work, restlessness, inability to sit still, fidgeting with hands and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores and homework unfinished, and having trouble paying attention to and responding to details, does things that are dangerous without thinking about possible outcomes (http://www.edutechsbs.com/adhd).
How is ADHD Diagnosed?
Nowadays, there are no medical tests, such as blood tests or electrical imaging (such as MRI), that diagnose ADHD. However, researches, in this area, are conducted in order to make the diagnosis more precise in the future. At this time, behavior criteria from DSM-IV are used to make the determination of ADHD. Some of these behaviors are seen more often at certain periods of child development, and behaviors may vary for boys and girls. Because of inconsistencies in diagnosis by medical professionals, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend a comprehensive assessment that relies on direct information from parents (or caregivers) and the classroom teacher (or other school professional) using developmental history, rating scales, observations, and available test results.
Information from all of the sources is reviewed carefully. The clinician has to make a judgment about whether the symptoms of ADHD impair academic achievement, classroom performance, family and social relationships, independent functioning, self-esteem, leisure activities, and/or self-care. So it usually takes two or more visits to the clinician before a diagnosis can be made (http://www.cdipage.com/adhd.htm; http://familydoctor.org) Background.. 3
What is ADHD?. 3
How is ADHD Diagnosed?. 4
Parenting a child with ADHD.. 5
The differences between childhood and adolescent.. 8
Adolescent with ADHD.. 8
The Role of Self-control 9
Risk and Vulnerability. 10 The Impact on School Performance. 10 Overcoming Risk with Resilience. 11
The Treatment of ADHD.. 12
1 . Medications management alone. 12
Side Effects of the Medications. 14
2 . Behavioral treatment alone. 15
Interview – raising a child with ADHD.. 17
Summery.. 21
Bibliography  22.