Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) - Diagnosis and Treatment

ADHD is becoming more and more common among many young children, as well as adults. While it is not curable, it is very treatable. Symptoms of ADHD are divided into categories: Inattention, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity, and a combination of the two. A diagnosis of ADHD is based on the number, persistence, and history of ADHD behaviors, and the degree to which they impact a child's performance in more than one setting. Please keep in mind that all children may act in these ways at times, so only a professional may diagnose them with ADHD.

Inattention
Common symptoms of Inattention include:
Child ignores details and makes careless mistakes.
Child has trouble sustaining attention in work or play.
Child does not seem to listen when directly addressed.
Child does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish.
Child has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
Child avoids activities that require a sustained mental effort.
Child often loses things he or she needs.
Child is forgetful in daily activities.
Child is very easily distracted.

Hyperactivity
Common symptoms of Hyperactivity include:
Child fidgets or squirms.
Child leaves seat when remaining seated is expected.
Child runs or climbs when he or she shouldn't.
Child has difficulty with quiet leisure activities.
Child is on the go, as if driven by a motor.
Child talks excessively.

Impulsivity
Common symptoms of Impulsivity include:
Child blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
Child has difficulty waiting his or her turn.
Child interrupts or intrudes on others.

Combined Type
Combined Type is a subtype of ADHD. A child may be diagnosed Combined Type if they have symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity (six or more symptoms of both) and the symptoms have happened for at least six months. Usually, children and adolescents with the disorder have the Combined Type.

ADHD and School
If you have a child with a diagnosis of ADHD, here are some great tips for attending school.
During the last weeks of summer, help to prepare your child for school with a routine. Help him or her get used to a realistic school bedtime. The end of summer is also a good time to organize your child's room, and dispose of any clothes that no longer fit. Make a list of all of the supplies your child will need for school, and buy several of the basic items in case a few get lost.

Be sure your childs teacher is aware of his or her ADHD. This will help them to be ready for any special preparations your child might require. You may ask the teacher to seat your shild next to a positive role model or near the teacher's desk. Also, ask the teacher about pairing your child with another student to help check school work. It could be helpful for your child to receive a short break in between assignments as well. Be sure to discuss your child's progress with his or her teacher in one-on-one meetings on a regular basis.

Provide his or her teacher with a list of classroom accommodations that worked well during the previous school year.
Teach and reinforce study skills and learning strategies at home.

If you're dealing with a teenager, develop some study rules and post them where they can be easily seen. Make sure the television is off during study time. as it is a common source of distraction.

ADHD and Relationships
Normally, children with ADHD have a hard time with peer relationships. They are less likely to make friends, are often rejected by their peers, and may be more likely to experince anxiety, behavioral and mood disorders, substance abuse and delinquency as teenagers. However, having ADHD does not always mean that a child will have problems with interpersonal relationships. The earlier ADHD is recognized and treated, the more likely the child id to have a normal and positive outcome with peer relationships.

Parents of children with ADHD should always realize that positive, healthy peer relationships are important, and can help build such relationships for their child. Try the following tips:

Encourage your child to take part in activities with his or her peers.

Know what's going on with your child's social development by keeping open communication with his or her teacher, school counselor, after-school activity leader, and health care providers.

Enroll older children and teenagers in peer programs such as youth sports, art classes, music programs, and computer instruction..

ADHD and Home
Home life can be both rewarding and demanding. As a parent, you can control many aspects of home life. As a result, you may find the home to be about the easiest environment for you and your child.

Sometimes, children with ADHD may lack self-control. As a result, they can demonstrate disruptive behavior and cause friction at home. That behavior may have a negative impact on your home life. Provide a structured home environment, follow daily routines, and provide positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors. The result may help your child develop more self-control, and improve your home life.

Tips for managing disruptive behavior:
Provide your child with your guidance throughout the day, right away. Make every interaction with them a chance for communicating.

Use immediate consequences.

Use age-appropriate incentives before applying consequences to your child. Try to select incentives from which your child can easily see the rewards. Short-term incentives can be effective also.

Aim for consistency.

Be forgiving.

Plan ahead for problem situations.

Remember that your child has a medical condition that he or she alone cannot control. Positive encouragement and patience are great ways to further the bond with your child during this time.

Treatments for ADHD

Medications
Non-stimulant
Strattera (atomoxetine HCl): A non-stimulant treatment option for ADHD and is part of a class of drugs called "selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors" or SNRIs. Strattera is the first non-stimulant medication approved by the FDA to treat ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. It works differently from other available ADHD medications by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a chemical neurotransmitter. The precise role that norepinephrine plays in the treatment of ADHD is not known. However, scientists believe it may be important in regulating attention, impulsivity, and activity levels.

Stimulants
Stimulants are a very common treatment option for ADHD. The primary effect of stimulants is through regulation of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Short-acting (4-5 hour) stimulants include Adderall,Dexedrine, DextroStat, Focalin,Methylin, and Ritalin.

Intermediate-acting (6-8 hour) stimulants includeDexedrine Spansule, Metadate ER, Methylin ER, Ritalin SR, Metadate CD, and Ritalin LA.

Long-acting (10-12 hour) stimulants include Adderall XR, Concerta, and Focalin XR.

Behavior Modification
This involves using strategies such as consistency, positive reinforcement, and teaching children how to solve problems and be their own advocates. Essentially, behavior modification is used to help improve not only a child's behavior but also his or her relationships, by improving interactions with other children and adults. Therapists teach the techniques to teachers as well as parents, for use in daily life. Typically, behavior modification begins shortly after a child is diagnosed with ADHD, and it is generally believed that the sooner therapy begins, the better. There are different behavior modification techniques for preschoolers, elementary school-aged children, and adolescents.

The "ABCs" of behavior modification are:

Antecedents - things that initiate or precede behaviors.
Behaviors - undesirable behaviors.
Consequences - things that happen as a result of behaviors.

As a parent, you would be taught how to change the antecedents by changing the way you verbally instruct your child. You would also be taught to change the consequences of undesirable behavior by changing the way you react to your child's obedience or disobedience. This teaches your child more appropriate behavior patterns that can ultimately help in all aspects of life.

Combination Therapy
Combination therapy for ADHD involves using two or more types of treatment at the same time. Using a combination of treatments, children are more likely to display better results in the areas of oppositional symptoms and academic outcomes.

If you suspect that you, your child, or friend may have ADHD, seek medical attention. Have a professional look at the symptoms and from there they can tell you whether it is ADHD or not. As stated previously, the earlier the treatment starts for this disorder, the better off a person may be.