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Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
ADHD

What is it?

Children with ADHD typically are overactive, unable to pay attention, and impulsive. These children often do not do well in school despite having average or above average intelligence.

Characteristics:

There are three types of Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, each having different symptoms. These types are referred to as inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined attention deficit/hyperactivity.

Inattentive Type:

• Have short attention spans
• Are easily distracted
• Make lots of mistakes
• Fail to finish things
• Are forgetful
• Don’t seem to listen

Hyperactive-Impulsive:

• Fidget and squirm
• Are unable to stay seated or play quietly
• Run and climb when they should not
• Blurt out answers to questions
• Have trouble taking turns

Combined attention deficit/hyperactivity:

• Combination of the inattentive and the hyperactive-impulsive types

Causes:

Through years of research, no single cause has been linked to the different types of ADHD. Factors such as viruses, harmful chemicals in the environment, genetics, problems during pregnancy or delivery, or other things that impair brain development may play a role.

Treatment:

The major two treatments for ADHD are medications and behavior therapy. Medication for this disorder mainly involves stimulants. Some examples are Dexedrine, Ritalin, Cylert, and Strattera. Stimulants increase the activity in parts of the brain that are under active in children with ADHD. Experts believe stimulants improve attention and reduce impulsive, hyperactive, and aggressive behavior. Behavior treatments include the following:

• Teaching parents and teachers how to manage and modify behavior (e.g. rewards)
• A daily report card to link the home and school efforts
• Summer and Saturday programs
• Special classrooms that use intensive behavior modifications
• Specially trained classroom aides

(Source: “Mental Health Sensitivity Curriculum: Understanding Brain Disorders” by Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children, Inc.

Additional Resources:

For Adults:

• National Attention Deficit Disorder Association www.adda.org
• ADDMed www.addmed.com
• Calliope Books: “ADHD and Associated Disorders” www.execpc.com/~calliope/
• Book – Power Parenting for Children with ADD/ADHD: A Practical Parent’s Guide for Managing Difficult Behaviors by Grad L. Flick, Ph.D.

For Children:

• The Best of the Brakes: An Activity Book for Kids with ADD and ADHD
  Patricia O. Quinn and Judith M. Stern Eds, Kates Sternberg Illus
• Putting on the Brakes: A Child’s Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
  Patricia O. Quinn
• Putting on the Brakes: A Child’s Guide to Understanding and Gaining Control over Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
  Patricia O. Quinn
• Sometimes I drive My Mom Crazy, But I Know She’s Crazy about Me: A Self-Esteem Book for ADHD Children
  Lawrence E. Shapiro & Hennie M. Shore Eds, Timothy Parrotte Illus
• Eagle Eyes: A Child’s Guide to Paying Attention (2nd Ed)
  Jeanne Gehert
• Jumpin’ Johnny Get Back to Work! A Child’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity
  M Gordon
• My Brother’s a World Class Pain: A Sibling’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity
  M Gorgon
• I Would if I Could: A Teenager’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity
  M Gordon
• Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention
  KG Nadeau
• School Strategies for ADD Teens
  KG Nadeau
• Shelley the Hyperactive Turtle
  Deborah M Moss
  

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