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ADHD (Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder) occurs in 3 to 5% of children of school age. For some reason this disorder occurs more often in males than females. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood mostly due to the bright contract in attention and activity level of children. These differences are dramatically noticeable when these children are required to maintain their attention during dull, boring and repetitive tasks.
ADHD may be diagnosed by the following symptoms:
- often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in a seat;
- leaves the seat in situations where remaining seated is expected;
- moves around, climbs or is restless;
- has difficulty engaging in play or leisure activities quietly;
- seems to always be moving or driven to keep moving;
- seems to always be moving or driven to keep moving.
But actually it is rather a difficult task to properly diagnose ADHD, especially if classroom environment is boring, large and has little interaction. The usual symptoms ascribed to ADHD may let diagnose children without any disorders. On the other hand many scientists recently attempt to prove that ADHD is not a disorder, but just a part of human condition.
ADHD does not appear to be a condition that involves abnormally high distractibility, but rather a lack of persistence in responding to tasks that are not interesting, have no intrinsic appeal or have minimal immediate consequences.
Interestingly, there is no proof of any physical abnormalities in the brains or bodies of children who are routinely labeled ADHD. Medications used to treat ADHD do not correct known chemical abnormalities, they create new ones. The stimulants used to treat ADHD can be addictive and can cause serious brain abnormalities.
There is a great deal of research to confirm that environmental problems can cause ADHD-like symptoms. But regardless of the cause, the impact of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity can be detrimental to normal development. Educational systems, employers and social expectations can be rather rigid. Conflict and failures shape our sense of life, self-esteem, our ability to learn and our ability to get along with others.
While no treatment today cures ADHD, treatment programs which include medication and/or behavioral modification techniques help manage symptoms. For about 70 percent of those with ADHD, several decades of research tells us that stimulant medications improve many of the symptoms of ADHD. Stimulant medications do not “slow the brain down”, rather they stimulate parts of the brain that help increase focus and one’s ability to control their own behavior. Other effective treatments that may be combined with medication, or used independently, include behavioral management techniques and classroom interventions.
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