Diagnosis and Treatment

“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was once known simply as hyperactivity.” (Morris & Maisto, 2002). Over the years that have changed, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is now being referred to as a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by a combination of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. (Psychologytoday, 2008).

There are three subtypes of ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly overactive type; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly, hyperactive impulsive type; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type. “It is estimated that three to seven percent of all school-aged children are diagnosed with ADHD it is much more common in boys than girls” (Psychologytoday, 2008). Children with ADHD have a very hard time sitting still and not listening to what is being said, which leads to them not doing well in school, even when they have normal or above-normal intelligence. (Psychologytoday, 2008).

Children with ADHD engage in various types of disruptive behavior and experienced peer rejection. Researchers are not sure if ADHD is present at birth but becomes a serious problem after the child starts school. Health professional are still not sure about what causes ADHD. However, current research is exploring the structure of the brain to determine if there are differences that might indicate a physical basis for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD may be a genetically determined disorder, as attention disorders often runs in the family. Studies indicate that twenty five percent of close relatives in the families of ADHD children also have ADHD. (Psychologytoday, 2008)

Regular classroom setting demands that children sit quietly, pay attention as instructed, and control urges yell and run around, because children with ADHD cannot adhere to these demands, ultimately students are placed in a special education class with a special education teacher, which is normally a smaller group with no more than nine children. In a special education class, the children are taught at a slow pace and the teacher allows the students extra time to complete their assignments. (Morris & Maisto, 2002).

Diagnosis; Diagnosing ADHD is not easy, for a child to be diagnosed with this disorder they must have six of the nine possible inattentive symptoms. “The symptoms have to persistent and current. In each case the symptoms must be present for six months to be maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level. Some of the symptoms seen in children diagnosed with having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are; making careless mistake in schoolwork, difficulty sustaining attention to tasks, not listening to what is being said, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, losing and misplacing belongings, fidgeting and squirming in seat, talking excessively, interrupting or intruding on others, difficulty playing quietly”. (Adhdorg, 2008).

In addition, some symptoms must be prior to age seven, and in two or more settings, for e.g.; school and at home. For ADHD to be diagnosed accurately there must be a clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning. And the impairment cannot be caused by others disorder such as anxiety, psychosis, or persuasive developmental disorder (PDD). In addition a physical examination and psychological test should be given a clinician with expertise in the area of attention dysfunction. A correct diagnosis of ADHD can bring a dense of relief. (Adhdhelp, 2008).

Treatment; There are two types of treatment for ADHD, pharmacological and alternative treatments for ADHD. ADHD is usually treated with