Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnosing & Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder
ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
is one of the most difficult diseases to identify. It usually
affects children in their pre-school or early school years,
the symptoms resemble nothing more than pranks or tantrums
being thrown by overactive or difficult children.
The three major symptoms related to ADHD are: inattention,
hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Since most children are born
hyperactive or impulsive, hence most of the parents do not
pay much attention to them. They believe that these inconsistencies
will reduce as the children grow up.
It is usually when these symptoms are spotted by teachers
in school who have experienced working with large groups of
children that the child is provided counseling or medical
support for ADHD.
Of course, parents cannot be blamed for failing to identify
ADHD symptoms, and seeking early medical help. The symptoms
may not appear together. At times, only one or two of the
ADHD symptoms may be obvious and might take six months to
a year, or longer.
The symptoms of children suffering from ADHD are such as:
1. Restless behavior
2. Unpredictable behavior like running, climbing or leaving
a seat when everyone else quietly seated.
3. Endless squirming or wiggling of toes when seated
4. Impatient standing inline.
5. Answering questions even before the full question is asked.
These ADHD symptoms usually flow from a child's excessive
hyperactive and impulsive attitude. Children who are lacking
concentration can also be victims of ADHD if they show the
following symptoms:
1. Always make careless mistakes
2. Are lacking concentration to the point of looking bored
3. Hardly follow instructions
4. Constantly lose or forget things like toys, or pencils,books,
etc
5. Skip from one uncompleted task to another for no reason
6. Easily distracted
7. Rarely do their homework.
Therefore, it is not surprised that even the ADHD specialists
take time to diagnose a child who is suffering from ADHD.
The ADHD specialists usually require to speak to a child's
parents, teachers and other adults who are a part of child's
life. The answers are able to help the specialists to learn
whether the irregular behavior is a result of ADHD or is it
a passing phase.
Right now, it is estimated that 3 to 5% of American children
suffer from an ADHD disorder. There is now a growing awareness
of ADHD and parents can easily find psychologists, psychiatrists
or counselors who can treat children affected with ADHD.
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