If your child is experiencing difficulties at school, at home, or in social settings you may be concerned about the possibility of ADHD. Left untreated, ADHD can have a significant negative impact on your child's future in terms of school performance, social relationships, health, and self-esteem. The good news is that now you can do something about it, thanks to recent advances in ADHD treatment and support. At ADHD Specialists, we focus solely on treating and helping those with ADHD so that they can reach their fullest potential. Successful treatment is not about changing your child; it's about giving them the best support, guidance, and tools they need to succeed. Unlike in other traditional treatment paradigms, this does not always include using medication to treat ADHD. Using our new, integrative approach we bring together specialists in ADHD treatment: psychiatrists (physicians), psychologists and psychotherapists, coaches, and support services staff who work with you and your family as part of a comprehensive solution to create successful results.
While most people have heard of ADD or ADHD it is sometimes the subject of unnecessary fear or misunderstanding. At ADHD Specialists, our goal is to help educate and inform families about ADD/ADHD in addition to providing strategies for successfully treating these conditions.
ADHD stands for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Most children who have ADHD have signs of both hyperactivity and inattention while some may have only signs of attention problems. The inattentive type is sometimes referred to as attention-deficit disorder (ADD). However, ADD is really a form of ADHD.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
The primary indicator for ADHD includes inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is inappropriate for the childs age. However, it is important to note that for an accurate diagnosis, a thorough and extensive history including neuropsychological testing along with a physician evaluation is essential. Neuropsychological testing helps to objectively assess attention and evaluate other aspects of learning such as memory, reading, and auditory language skills.Interestingly, parents of children with ADHD often notice tendencies toward hyperactivity and impulsivity that are present even from a very early age. It is common for hyperactive children who have ADHD to show signs of consistent hyperactive behavior before the age of 7. Mothers of children with ADHD sometimes even remember that their baby was unusually active in the womb, while many parents of children with ADHD often describe their children as having been fussy and difficult to quiet as babies.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), there are actually three different types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:
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Predominately inattentive type: Often referred to as attention deficit disorder, or ADD, this sub-type involves impaired attention and concentration, as well as "daydreamy" behavior. These children are not overly active and do not disrupt classrooms; instead, they typically fail to complete tasks, are easily distracted, make careless errors, and avoid activities that require sustained mental work and close concentration. Because they are not disruptive, their symptoms are more likely to be overlooked. These children are often misread as being lazy, unmotivated, and irresponsible. This accounts for approximately 30% of individuals with ADHD.
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Predominately hyperactive-impulsive type: Children are both hyperactive and impulsive but usually do not have problems paying attention. This accounts for approximately 10-20% of individuals with ADHD.
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Combined type: The most common type involves all ADHD symptoms, including inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This accounts for approximately 50-60% of individuals with ADHD.
There are many common misconceptions about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder that are important to consider.
Myth: "ADD is over diagnosed."
Fact: According to recent studies, ADD/ADHD is actually under diagnosed. In an article of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry , Richard D. Todd, Ph.D., M.D. reports initial results from twin-based population studies which suggest that ADHD is underdiagnosed, has complex mechanisms of comorbidity, and is genetically heterogeneous.
Myth: "Bad parenting is responsible for ADHD."
Fact: ADHD is not caused by poor parenting. However, research repeatedly demonstrates that ADHD runs in families, which may account for this misconception. Recently published data in Pediatric Annals indicate that the child of an adult with ADHD has approximately a 25% chance of having ADHD. There are also indications that ADHD that persists into adulthood is more highly genetic than ADHD that diminishes in childhood. Overall studies have concluded that heredity explains the majority of ADHD-like behavior exhibited by children.
Myth: "ADHD affects males more than females."
Fact: As children, the male to female ratio is 4:1, as girls are often under diagnosed. Among adults, almost as many women as men seek treatment for ADHD. In children, girls may exhibit symptoms of ADHD in less obvious ways such as speaking rapidly or excessively.
Myth: "He can focus on video games for hours. He can't have ADHD."
Fact: Sometimes people with ADHD have a tendency to hyper-focus. They focus on one thing and ignore everything else around them. This can seem contradictory to many parents and those who know someone with ADHD.
Myth: "ADHD is not a medical condition."
Fact: ADHD is a medical condition, linked to chemical differences in the brain. It is officially recognized by leading medical experts and institutions, including the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Psychiatric Association, and many others.
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