HYPERACTIVITY
Who has ADHD?
Researchers are not
sure why ADHD affects more boys than girls. Although girls and
boys have the same symptoms, boys are more commonly referred
and diagnosed.
Studies done in rural
areas and foreign countries-such as New Zealand, Hong Kong,
and Great Britain -show that fully four percent of all school-age
children will meet the diagnostic criteria for this disorder.
Hyperactivity is the most common reason for the children to
be referred to mental health clinics across the United States.
Some children outgrow
ADHD while others do not. In the 1980s, researchers followed
children through young adulthood and found that many of the
symptoms persisted. Studies show that 60 percent of hyperactive
children will have the problem as adults, and there is no way
to predict which children will outgrow the symptoms.
What are the signs
and symptoms of the disorder? Earlier, we mentioned that excessive
fidgeting is a sign. Other symptoms frequently include: Difficulty
sustaining attention in tasks or play activities, shifting from
one uncompleted activity to another, difficulty playing quietly,
talking excessively, interrupting or intruding on others, appearing
not to listen to what is being said, losing things, difficulty
in remaining seated, being easily distracted, difficulty waiting
their turn or participating in group situations, blurting out
answers to questions and interrupting, difficulty following
instructions.
These are all common
very common problems of young children. Most children will have
two or three of these problems at some point. The key to a diagnosis
of ADHD, however, is where a child has many symptoms, year after
year, in many symptoms such as home, school, camp, or day care.
Often the child's behavior is causing negative from people,
and his or her self-esteem suffers. A child who has for several
years had major difficulties in at least eight of these symptom
areas many not be hyperactive. Other disorders - like depression
and anxiety - have very similar symptoms and can easily be confused
with ADHD.
To ensure proper
diagnosis, medical professionals should:
- Spend a significant
amount of time obtaining a detailed history of the child from
the parent(s) or guardian;
- Look for learning
disabilities;
- Determine if there
are environmental factors causing the problem.
School report cards
are among the materials that should be carefully reviewed by
medical professionals before a diagnosis is made. Often ADHD
children's report cards contain comments such as, "Johnny is
unattentive; he is not completing assignments; and he's out
of his seat a lot." Additional information should also be obtained
from babysitters, grandparents, and anyone else who spends time
with the child. The doctor then synthesizes this information
and makes diagnosis. It is equally important for doctors to
spend time observing youngsters, preferably in an environment
where the child feels comfortable - like a playroom. By spending
time with youngsters, doctors can get a better feel for the
true characteristics of their young patients. Direct observation
in a strange setting, like the pediatrician's office is almost
meaningless in making a diagnosis. For many years, pediatricians
would watch a child for 15 minutes and say, "I don't see a problem".
Youngsters' behaviors vary. Even an exceedingly hyperactive
child can do well for an hour in a setting, particularly if
it's one-on-one.
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