Each year, millions of children are at risk of being misdiagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), and prescribed potentially harmful medications for this disorder. 9.5 percent, or 5 million, children in the United States were diagnosed with ADHD as of 2007. 2.8 million of those children received a prescription for a stimulant medication, such as Ritalin or Adderall, in 2008 (A Misdiagnosis, Anywhere). Do all of these children actually have ADHD? No. Therefore, do all of these children need ADHD medications? Definitely not. This will be proven throughout this article. Being easily distracted, failing to pay attention, not being able to sit still, forgetfulness, talking non-stop, and hitting others are the symptoms that determine if a child has ADHD, but almost all children act this way (washington.edu). It is normal. Children should be given the opportunity to grow out of the symptoms that classify them as having ADHD. Some children just simply are not as mature as others their age, but that is not a good enough reason to assume that the child has ADHD, especially with the serious side effects that can occur with the prescribed medications.…
ADHD is a common behavioral disorder found more in boys and is characterized by poor concentration, distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Children with ADHD are easily distracted by their environment and find it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. They also find it hard to control their behaviors and commonly…
The first article presented the idea that ADHD is a real disorder. ADHD first gained fame when it first appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-III 30 years ago. Many argued that the behaviors are normal in young children while others argued that leaving affected children untreated will have consequences in adulthood and will also place them in a social, academic, and emotional disadvantage. In this article the National Institute of Mental Health explains the symptoms of the disorder. Some of the symptoms included inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The two main types of the disorder include Hyperactivity-impulsivity and Inattention. In Hyperactivity-impulsivity the patient is usually squirming in there seat, blurting out answers, having difficulty in line, or running around uncontrollably. In Inattention the patient usually fails to pay attention to details, rarely follows instructions, and often easily becomes distracted by sights and sounds. Although humans may show some behaviors of the disorder, to be considered ADHD the behaviors have to be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. That is they have to be not just a temporary situation but the…
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2007, approximately 9.5% or 5.4 million children 4-17 years of age have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive-disorder (ADHD). This disorder is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders in American children. Children with ADHD often have trouble paying attention, sitting still, focusing on tasks, and controlling impulsive behaviors. It is a growing concern and epidemic as rates of diagnosis have continued to increase at an average rate of 5.5% since 2003 (CDC 3). Due to an uncertain biologic cause of the disorder, there have been several speculations as to whether the disorder exists. As numbers rise, several parents, teachers, and researchers also wonder if children are being misdiagnosed and whether pharmaceutical drugs are appropriate sources of treatment.…
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined my impairing levels of inattention, disorganization, and /or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Inattention and disorganization entail inability to stay on task, seeming not to listen, and loosing materials, at levels that are inconsistent with age or developmental level. Hyperactivity-impulsivity entails over activity, fidgeting, inability to stay seated, intruding into other people’s activities, and inability to wait—symptoms that are excessive for age or developmental level. ADHD often persists into…
First, on a personal note, my son was diagnosed with ADHD in 1995, at the age of five. Therefore, ADHD is very dear to my heart. A typical problem for children with ADHD is just trying to make wise decisions. He acts on impulse without thinking of the consequences and of course quite often gets into trouble because of the resulting bad decisions. An ADHD child typically gets into trouble more than the average child does because of this failure to stop and think and foresee the outcome of his choices. Conversely, when he is blamed for something he knows that is not his fault he becomes frustrated and often gives up and quits trying to do the right thing altogether. Which of course multiplies the problem and causes others. We as adults must understand this detrimental impact in handling our children. There…
Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder is the most commonly diagnosed mental health problem among children. This disorder is often referred to as ADHD. It can be defined as a psychiatric and a neurobehavioral disorder. ADHD has to do with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination of all three. It can affect people at any age or gender. There are many different symptoms to determine whether a person has ADHD and although it is a disorder there are different ways to live a normal life with it.…
Let’s start with addressing what Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity is, this is a behavioral disorder that affects millions of children in school. It is more likely to be diagnosed in boys rather than girls, although girls are also affected by it. Children with ADHD have multiple symptoms that can be diagnosed by your doctor. Kids that are affected by this disorder are often hyper, have trouble focusing on tasks, always seem on the go, excessive talking, problems with interrupting or intruding, difficulty playing quietly, careless errors in schoolwork or other activities, apparent listening problems, tendency to lose things like toys, notebooks or homework, and excessive running or climbing (W. Douglas Tynan, 2008). A child can be diagnosed as having ADHD will be broken into one three subgroups. The three subgroups are inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or the two combined. Teachers can assist in determining which category the child falls in. As a teacher, we need to understand how to deal with children with learning disabilities. Some kids may take medicine to…
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most well-recognized childhood developmental problems. This condition is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is now known that these symptoms continue into adulthood for about 60% of children with ADHD. That translates into 4% of the US adult population, or 8 million adults. However, few adults are identified or treated for adult ADHD.…
Many children with ADHD who are the inattentive type have problems paying attention especially in school, and get distracted easily. Children who are the hyperactive-impulsive type are often very active and this is the most visible sign for ADHD. Hyperactivity and impulsivity go together which means the child is very active and acts before thinking. Children with this type often run around a lot, and have trouble being quite. Children with the combined type of ADHD often get depressed, tend to be insecure, and may have behavioral problems. While these are not symptoms of ADHD, they are problems that the child may have with coping with the disorder.…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. Children diagnosed with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active. Some symptoms of ADHD are daydreaming, easily distracted, act and speak without thinking, forgetting things, interrupt others, and constantly in motion. The cause of ADHD is not yet known and this is a disorder that is not easily treated. Children with ADHD are usually treated with a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Though these methods have proven effective this disorder often persists through childhood and into adulthood.…
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in recent decades, have become the most diagnosed mental/behavioral disorders among children, teenagers, and adults. Most of the increases in ADHD are seen in children. According to Rafalovich (2001), there have been an increasing number of diagnoses of ADHD and about four million children in the United States alone have been diagnosed with ADHD. More diagnosis of this mental/behavioral disorder brings forth different methods of intervention. Pharmaceutical intervention is one of the most common interventions when dealing with ADD and ADHD.…
ADHD medication is becoming a very popular diagnosis among today's children. There is a great divide amongst people on if it actually helps the students or if it is being prescribed way too frequently and just drugging hyper active kids. ADHD medication is being proven that it is not over prescribed and helps student be able to focus and do better at school and in life.…
ADHD symptoms will change over time as the person ages. In young children with ADHD, hyperactivity-impulsivity is the most severe symptom. As a child reaches elementary school, the symptom of inattention may become more prominent and cause the child to struggle in school. In some cases, hyperactivity seems to lessen and may show more often as feelings of restlessness or fidgeting, but inattention and impulsivity may remain. Many adolescents with ADHD also struggle with relationships and nonsocial behaviors. Inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity tend to continue into…
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is known as one of the most common neurobiological disorder in children, adolescents and adults. Currently, this disorder is treated with stimulant medications that cause significant negative side effects with no real cure for the disorder. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments for children diagnosed with ADHD are on the rise due to the negative feedback received from parents of children that are currently taking stimulant medications as treatments.…