ATTENTION DEFICITHYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

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ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
(ADHD)

• By Coleen M. Guest Methods for
  Teaching
• Fall 2001

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• ADHD dates back to 1902. The disorder has gone
  through numerous name changes.
• Maximal Brain Damage
• Minimal Brain Dysfunction
• Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood
• Attention Deficit Disorder with or without
  Hyperactivity
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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What is ADD/ADHD

• ADHD consists of two basic symptoms.
• - Poor attention Span
• - Weak Impulse Control

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Executive Functions of ADHD

• Defined as
• - the ability to engage in mental activities
  that help deflect distractions, recall goals,
  and take steps needed to reach them. These are
  divided into four groups.
• Working Memory
• - Holds information in mind while performing
  another task.
• Internalization of Self-directed Speech
• - Process of talking out loud to solve problems

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Executive Functions Continued

• Self Regulation
• - Controlling reaction to an event
• Reconstruction
• - Breaking down observed behavior and combining
  parts into new actions that are not
  previously learned.

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AD/HD Primarily Inattentive Type AD/HD-I

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes
  careless mistakes.
• Has difficulty sustaining attention.
• Does not appear to listen.
• Struggles to follow through on instructions.

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AD/HD Hyperactive/Impulse Type AD/HD-HI

• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
• Has difficulty remaining seated.
• Runs about or climbs excessively.
• Acts as if driven by a motor.
• Talks excessively.
• Blurts out answers before questions have been
  completed.
• Difficulty waiting or taking turns.
• Interrupts or intrudes upon others.

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AD/HD Combined Type AD/HD-C

• Individual meets both sets of attention and
  hyperactive/impulsive criteria.

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According to the DSM-IV, ADHD Has Three Categories

• Predominantly inattentive type
• Predominantly hyperactive impulsive type
• Combined type (onset of symptoms must occur
  before the age of seven and must be present for
  six months)

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Causes of ADHD

• Brain Structure
• Heredity
• Environment
• Pregnancy and Birth Complications

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People with ADHD

• 3-5 percent of children have ADHD
• 2-4 percent of adults have ADHD
• There are three times as many boys diagnosed
• 10-26 percent of children with ADHD have a
  learning disability

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People With AD/HD Continued

• 30-65 percent have emotional or behavioral
  problems

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Characteristics of ADHD

• Students exhibit noncompliance, disagreeable and
  annoying behaviors.
• Students have a difficult time forming and
  keeping relationships with peers.
• Stress is added to families sometimes leading up
  to isolation from family and friends and divorce
  between parents.

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Treatment for ADHD

• Behavior modification
• - Reinforcements, rewards, immediate
  consequences, and cues to reinforce rules.
• Medication
• - Stimulate Drugs Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall,
  Cylert and Desoxyn.
• - Antidepressants Elavil, Tofranil, and Prozac.

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Treatment Continued

• Diet and Nutrition
• Scientists do not support the use of diet.
• The once popular Feingold Diet has not proven
  to adequately control symptoms.

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References

• American Psychiatric Association. (1994).
  Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
  disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DCAuthor.
• Bender, W.N., Mathes, M.Y. (1995). Students
  with ADHD in the inclusive classroom A
  hierarchical approach to strategy selection.
  Intervention in School and Clinic, 30, 226-234.