Adhd Research Paper 1
TERM RESEARCH PAPER
ON
ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Introduction
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”) is a common childhood disorder that represents developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and overactivity. It occurs in 3% to 5% of the school age population as stated by (Craighead, Craighead, Kazdin & Mahoney, 1994). Another author (Barkley, 1981) stated that ADHD occurs in at least one child in every classroom. As a result of these statistics, ADHD has become one of the most commonly referred and heavily studied psychological disorders of childhood. Studies show that about 50-60% of children with ADHD in the age range of five to seven years are hostile and defiant. By the time they have attained the age of ten, they have a high risk for conduct disorder problems, such as lying, stealing, running away from home, and getting into trouble with the law. Studies also show that about 20-50% of children with ADHD continue to exhibit the same traits into adulthood.
History
The symptoms of ADHD were first recognised in the early 1860s, however, formal discussions of the symptoms as a behavioural syndrome was first published in 1902. In later years between 1960 and 1970, researchers stressed the overactivity component of the disorder, which resulted in the use of labels such as hyperactivity or hyperkinesis. However, in 1972, another researcher emphasized the need to consider the child’s inattention and impulsivity as the more pervasive and chronic problems. This resulted in the replacement of the label hyperactivity, with the term Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Diagnostic Criteria
Children with ADHD can be placed into three (3) categories based on whether they display mostly attention deficits, mostly hyperactivity-impulsivity or a combination of both attention deficits and hyperactivity-impulsivity. ADHD is not diagnosed by any medical tests, but on the basis of the occurrence of
ON
ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Introduction
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”) is a common childhood disorder that represents developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and overactivity. It occurs in 3% to 5% of the school age population as stated by (Craighead, Craighead, Kazdin & Mahoney, 1994). Another author (Barkley, 1981) stated that ADHD occurs in at least one child in every classroom. As a result of these statistics, ADHD has become one of the most commonly referred and heavily studied psychological disorders of childhood. Studies show that about 50-60% of children with ADHD in the age range of five to seven years are hostile and defiant. By the time they have attained the age of ten, they have a high risk for conduct disorder problems, such as lying, stealing, running away from home, and getting into trouble with the law. Studies also show that about 20-50% of children with ADHD continue to exhibit the same traits into adulthood.
History
The symptoms of ADHD were first recognised in the early 1860s, however, formal discussions of the symptoms as a behavioural syndrome was first published in 1902. In later years between 1960 and 1970, researchers stressed the overactivity component of the disorder, which resulted in the use of labels such as hyperactivity or hyperkinesis. However, in 1972, another researcher emphasized the need to consider the child’s inattention and impulsivity as the more pervasive and chronic problems. This resulted in the replacement of the label hyperactivity, with the term Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Diagnostic Criteria
Children with ADHD can be placed into three (3) categories based on whether they display mostly attention deficits, mostly hyperactivity-impulsivity or a combination of both attention deficits and hyperactivity-impulsivity. ADHD is not diagnosed by any medical tests, but on the basis of the occurrence of
References: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Scientific American: Feature Article at http://www.sciam.com/1998/0998issue/0998barkley.html This Article is about a theory which suggests that the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder results from a failure in self control. Retrain the Brain. Get the kids off Ritalin! at http://www.retrainthebrain.com/ This Article talks about a safe alternative to the use of the drug Ritalin as a means of treating children suffering from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.