ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

A Case Study

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What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD:

It is a psychiatric disorder of the neurodevelopmental type. in which there are significant problems of Hyperactivity, Impulsivity and Inattention. The person acts impulsively which is not appropriate for a person's age.

The disorder is observed mainly in children aged between six to twelve and be present for more than six months for a diagnosis to be made.

In school-aged individuals the lack of focus may result in poor school performance.

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Symptoms of ADHD

Hyperactivity Impulsivity Inattention

• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat

• Leaves seat when remaining in seat is expected

• Runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which is inappropriate

• Finds it difficult to playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly

• Acts as if "driven by a motor“

• Excessive Talking

• Blurts out answers before questions have been finished

• Has trouble waiting one's turn

• Interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

• Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, or other activities

• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly 

• Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace

• Has trouble organizing• Often loses thing in

regular use.

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Primary Characteristics

• When many people think of attention deficit disorder, they picture an out-of-control kid in constant motion, bouncing off the walls and disrupting everyone around. These are hyperactive kids with ADD/ADHD

• Some sit quietly with their attention miles away. Some put too much focus on a task and have trouble shifting it to something else.

• Some are only mildly inattentive, but overly impulsive.

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Symptoms of inattention

• Doesn’t pay attention to details• Makes careless mistakes• Has trouble staying focused; is easily distracted• Appears not to listen when spoken to• Has difficulty remembering things and following

instructions• Has trouble staying organised, planning ahead, and

finishing projects• Gets bored with a task before it’s completed• Frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or

other items

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Symptoms of hyperactivity

• Often leaves his or her seat in situations where sitting quietly is expected.

• Moves around constantly, often runs or climbs inappropriately

• Talks excessively • Has difficulty playing quietly or relaxing • Is always “on the go,” as if driven by a motor • May have a quick temper or a “short fuse”.

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Symptoms of impulsivity

• Acts without thinking• Blurts out answers in class without waiting to be called on

or hear the whole question• Can’t wait for his or her turn in line or in games• Says the wrong thing at the wrong time• Often interrupts others• Intrudes on other people’s conversations or games• Inability to keep powerful emotions in check, resulting in

angry outbursts or temper tantrums• Guesses, rather than taking time to solve a problem

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Spotting ADHD at different ages

• Impulsive behaviors such as the dangerous climb, the blurted insult, that often stand out in preschoolers with ADD/ADHD.

• Unable to pay attention to others, to sit quietly when instructed to, and not to say everything that pops into their heads.

• Children reach school age, those with ADHD stand out in all three behaviors: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

MYTHS

1. All kids with ADHD are hyperactive

2. Kids with ADHD can never pay attention

3. Kids with ADHD could behave better if they wanted

4. Kids will eventually grow out of ADHD

5. Medication is the best option for ADHD

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Myths and Facts of ADHD

Myth

1. Kids with ADHD could behave better if they wanted

2. Kids will eventually grow out of ADHD

3. Medication is the best option for ADHD

Fact

Children with ADHD may do their best to be good, but still be unable to sit still, stay quiet, or pay attention. They may appear disobedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re acting out on purpose..

ADHD often continues into adulthood. Treatment can help a to child learn to manage and minimize the symptoms.

Medication might not be the best option only. Effective treatment for ADHD includes education, behavior therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition.

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Question

Which one of these children may have ADHD?

A. The hyperactive boy who talks nonstop & can’t sit still.

B. The quiet dreamer who stares away into space.

C. Both A and B

The correct answer is “C.”

Children with ADHD may be:• Inattentive, but not hyperactive or impulsive.• Hyperactive and impulsive, but able to pay attention.• Inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive (the most common

form of ADHD).

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Positive effects of ADHD

Creativity

Children who have ADHD can be creative and imaginative.The child who daydreams and has ten different thoughts at once can become a master problem-solver, a fountain of ideas, or an inventive artist.

FlexibilityBecause children with ADHD consider a lot of options at once, they don’t become set on one alternative early on and are more open to different ideas.

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Positive effects contd….

Enthusiasm and spontaneity

Children with ADHD are interested in a lot of different things and have lively personalities. In short, if they’re not exasperating you (and sometimes even when they are), they’re a lot of fun to be with.

Energy and drive

When kids with ADHD are motivated, they work or play hard and strive to succeed. It actually may be difficult to distract them from a task that interests them, especially if the activity is interactive or hands-on. Many children with ADHD are intellectually or artistically gifted.

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