Presentation by Pat Hurley

Contents : What is ADHD?…………………3 Brief History……………………..4 Symptoms………………………..5 Diagnosis…………………………8 Treatment………………………..9 Advantages………………………13 Conclusion……………………….14 Bibliography……………………..15

What is ADHD? Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a syndrome, usually genetically transmitted, that causes distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness. These symptoms which are present since the person was a child, can interfere with school, work and/or relationships. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that ADHD affects 4% to 12% of all school age children and these numbers are continuously increasing. Also, up to nine times more boys are affected than girls.

Brief History the earliest account was discovered of a disorder with symptoms similar to ADHD by a British Pediatrician named Frederick Still. At this time, children were diagnosed as having a “Defect in Moral Character.” amphetamines were discovered to help reduce behaviors. Amphetamines are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. 1940’s- doctors change the diagnosis to “minimal brain damage” after noticing that children displayed symptoms of brain injury without experiencing any head trauma diagnosis changed to “minimal brain dysfunction.” renamed Attention Deficit Disorder renamed Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by the American Psychiatric Association

Symptoms Children with ADHD are very smart but they have a hard time staying on task because of their three major symptoms: 1)Inattention Characterized by: Hard time paying attention to detail when doing schoolwork or other activities Difficulty staying focused with longer tasks Difficulty Listening Difficulty following directions Organization problems Dislike of mental tasks Problem with losing things like homework or notebooks Very distracting and Forgetfulness

Symptoms (continued) 2)Hyperactivity and3) Impulsivity Characterized by: Squirming or fidgeting Having a hard time remaining in his/her seat Excessive running around Playing very loudly A lot of extra talking Yelling out the answer before listening to the full question Difficulty waiting in line and Interrupting problems

What It’s Like to Experience ADHD Symptoms? People with ADHD will get many ideas in their heads but have a hard time concentrating on only one of them. They skip around and might have a hard time getting the main point. Some metaphors to describe ADHD are: - It’s like driving in the rain with bad windshield wipers. Everything is smudged or blurred. - It’s like listening to a radio station full of static. You have to strain to hear what’s going on. - It’s like changing the channels on a television every few seconds. You get the general idea of what’s going on, but most of the content is missed.

Diagnosis There is no positive test for diagnosing ADHD. There is no X-ray or blood test that can be done. Therefore, to make the diagnosis, the doctor must review the history of the patient in determining ADHD.

Treatment Although there is no cure, there are 5 components for the best treatment of ADHD. 1)Diagnosis- The diagnosis of ADHD is good news. Once it is made, and treatment has started, a person’s life and their family’s lives can dramatically change for the better. 2)Education- Changes in the classroom to accommodate a child’s needs such as more visual materials to compensate for weaker auditory skills and having a tutor or paraprofessional’s help with instruction throughout the day can be very beneficial.

Treatment (continued) 3)Adding Structure and Organization to Life- Making sure that the child is staying organized with his/her schoolwork and not just throwing it all into their bags. Organizing time effectively is also very important in getting the most out of their day. 4)Coaching and/or Psychotherapy- A therapist can help a child identify areas of frustration, learn skills for coping with anger, and help them feel understood. Many therapists will also work with parents to implement behavior management and social skills training. These four steps should always be used in the treatment of ADHD. The fifth step is not always used but it should always be considered.

Treatment (continued) 5)Medication- The major medications to treat ADHD are stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin and Dexedrine. These drugs are percent effective in reducing the symptoms of ADHD. Adderall comes in 6 hour tablets, Ritalin in 4 and 8 hour tablets and Dexedrine in 6 and 24 hour tablets. The most common side effects include weight loss, difficulty sleeping and nausea. If any of these symptoms occur, with consultation from a doctor, different amounts, doses and medications should be experimented with until the person feels good and is free of all side effects. On a different note, a study by the Massachusetts General Hospital found that children who use medical treatments for ADHD are 1/3 as likely to be substance abusers when they get older.

Other ADHD Treatments Proper diet and exercise are also important and may have positive benefits in treating ADHD. The right amount of protein, fatty acids, iron, magnesium and calcium will help with symptoms. Physical exercise is not only good for the body; it is good for the mind as well. As little as a 10-minute workout increases blood flow to the brain, which in turn releases chemicals essential in the treatment of ADHD. Herbal treatment and pills might also help but they are not an alternative to prescribed medication. Such remedies like Focus Factor is much more promising than it actually is. Its ingredients may be good for ADHD, but it promises way too much for what it would actually do.

Advantages Everybody always focus’ on the negative qualities of having ADHD, but what they don’t realize is that having ADHD also has some benefits such as: High energy Creativity Resourcefulness Hard-working Warm-heartedness Trusting Easy to forgive Flexible Good sense of humor Loyal

Conclusion In conclusion, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a syndrome that causes distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness. There is no known cure for ADHD but there are many different treatments that can help with its symptoms.

ADHD Bibliography LD Online. What is ADHD? The Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities. Missina, James J. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Coping.org:Tools for Coping with Life’s Stressors. ADHD Medication Information. Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center. Hallowell, Edward M. Fifty Tips on the Classroom Management of ADD. Adapted from Driven to Distraction. Ratey, Nancy. Get on the Move, Improve Your Mood! ADDvance magazine. Natural Approach. Health