Definition of ADHD
Can you imagine living in a fast-moving world that seems like a kaleidoscope, where sounds,
images, and thoughts are constantly moving?
You may feel bored, yet helpless to keep your mind
on things you need to complete.
You are distracted by unimportant sights and sounds,
your mind drives you from one thought or activity to the next.
Perhaps you are so wrapped up in all of your thoughts
and certain images that you don't notice when someone speaks to you.
For many people, this is what it's like to have
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.
They may be unable to sit still, plan ahead,
finish projects, or be fully aware of what's going on around them.
To their family, classmates or friends,
they seem to exist in a whirlwind of disorganized or frenzied activity.
Unexpectedly--on some days and in some situations--they seem fine,
often leading others to think the person
with ADHD can actually control these behaviors.
As a result, the disorder can affect the person's relationships
with others in addition to disrupting their daily family life,
using all their energy, and taking away all their self-esteem.
ADHD, once called hyper kinesis or minimal brain dysfunction,
is one of the most common mental disorders among children.
It affects 3 to 5 percent of all children,
perhaps as many as 2 million American children.
Two to three times more boys than girls are affected.
On the average, at least one child in every classroom
in the United States needs help for the disorder.
ADHD often continues into adolescence and adulthood,
and can cause a lifetime of frustrated dreams and emotional pain.
But there is help...and hope. In the last decade,
scientists have learned much about this disorder
and they are now able to identify and treat children,
adolescents, and adults who have it.
A variety of medications, behavior-changing therapies,
and educational options are already available
to help people with ADHD focus their attention, build self-esteem,
and function in new ways.
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder
What causes ADHD?
They do not know for sure. But scientists who study ADHD believe that certain parts of the brain do not work quite right in people with ADHD.
They may have too little of certain brain chemicals (called neurotransmitters)
to keep the brain working at the right speed.
Otherwise a known as a Chemical Imbalance.
Some people are born with it. If you or your child have ADHD,
chances are that at least one of your parents, brothers, sisters,
or other close relatives have some of the same problems.
Others may get ADHD later, though the problems usually show up by age 7.
How is ADHD treated?
ADHD is usually treated with both medicine and counseling. Medicines can help
calm you down and get you to pay attention better. Ritalin (also called
methylphenidate) is one of the most widely used medicines to treat ADHD. You
usually take it between two and four times a day, because it only lasts about
three to four hours. Other similar medicines include Dexedrine, Cylert, and
Adderall. Cylert is different because you only have to take it once a day. Some
kinds of Dexedrine are also only taken once a day. There is a newer kind of
medication now on the market called Strattera it is a Non Stimulant Medication.
Aaron is on it.
Sometimes, other kinds of medicines are used to treat ADHD. These can include
Wellbutrin (also called buproprion), Tofranil (also called imipramine), and
Catapres (also called clonidine).
These medicines can also help if you feel sad or angry a lot.
Do you children ever say to you?
I don't like medicine. Do I have to take it?
It is very important for your children to take their medicine when they are told
to. If they do not take it every day, it is not going to work as well. NEVER
give more than they are supposed to take! These medicines can be dangerous if
given in wrong dosage.
Also, if you forget to give your child one of their pills,
you should wait until the next time they are supposed to take a pill.
Some of the medicines can make it harder for your child to fall asleep,
stop them from feeling hungry, or give them a stomach ache.
These problems are called "side effects."
If any of these happens to you, tell the doctor that gave the medication.
Many times, these things go away after you take the medicine for awhile.
If they do not, the doctor can help give you ideas
on how to handle the side effects.
Many kids with ADHD do not feel very good about themselves.
They may have trouble finding and keeping friends.
They are also yelled at a lot by teachers and parents,
which makes them feel bad.
They also think that because doing well in
school might be harder for them,
that this means they are dumb. This is NOT true!
People with ADHD are just as smart as everyone else,
in fact many are quite gifted.
But they may have trouble learning in the
same way as other kids do.
Talking with a psychologist/counselor can help you to work out your problems.
They can give you ideas on doing better in school,
handling teasing, dealing with your angry feelings without hurting anyone, and
how to feel better about yourself.
They can also give you ideas on how to handle your parents,
or even your annoying brothers and sisters!
Diagnostic Criteria for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder in Children
A. A disturbance of at least six months during
which at least eight of the following are present:
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (in adolescents [or
adults] may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)
2. Has difficult in remaining in seat when required to do so.
3. Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
4. Has difficulty awaiting turn in games or group situations.
5. Often blurts out answers to questions before they have been completed.
6. Has difficulty following through on instructions from others.
7. Has difficulty in sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
8. Often shifts from one uncompleted activity to another.
9. Has difficulty playing quietly.
10. Often talks excessively.
11. Often interrupts or intrudes on others.
12. Often does not seem to listen to what is being said to him or her.
13. Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home.
14. Often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering
possible consequences.
ABC's of ADHD
A = Accept each child.
B = Believe in the potential within each child.
C = Challenge each child according to his or her abilities and goals.
D = Dignify each child with fairness and respect.
E = Esteem the gifts in each child.
F = Forgive the mistakes made by each child...and yourself...each day.
G = Glean wisdom from those who know each child.
H = Hug each child, even if just for a moment.
I = Investigate ways to stimulate intellectual activity in each child.
J = Join hands and hearts with each child and his or her family.
K = Know the needs of each child.
L = Listen to each child and to his or her parent.
M = Model these ABC's for other teachers who are learning how to help each
child.
N = Nurture the curiosity in each child.
O = Outgrow traditional classroom methods in order to meet the needs of each
child.
P = Practice fairness to each child according to what is known about each child.
Q = Question and learn, and also encourage each child's questions and learning
in the classroom.
R = Remember to start fresh with each child each day.
S = Structure learning time and activities to best meet the needs of each child.
T = Touch the heart in each child and you touch the heart of his or her parent
also.
U = Understand that meeting the needs of each child involves your heart, as well
as your mind.
V = Value the learning differences of each child and the ways in which you are
developing as a teacher.
W = Wonder with the imagination of a child while talking with each child.
X = Xerox these ABC's and share them with your colleagues.
Y = Yearn to grow personally and professionally as much as you desire each child
to grow.
Z = ZZZ... and sleep peacefully at the end of each demanding, yet fulfilling
day.
Links On ADHD
ADHD
of a Christian Kind
CHADD
Behavior
Management Program
ADD/ADHD
Resources
Schools
and Camps for Kids with Disabilities
ADHD
and School
Attention Deficit
Disorder - Born to Explore!
Famous
People and ADD / ADHD
ADD /
ADHD Medicaton List of Prescription Drugs
ADHD