About ADHD
Posted by PLB Registrar · Leave a Comment
ADHD is a neurobiologial disability in children and adolescents that is highly heritable. More common in boys than girls, ADHD occurs in one of every 20 children.
Children with ADHD do not lack intelligence or discipline — they simply cannot sustain the focus needed to complete tasks appropriate for their age and intelligence. As a result, children with ADHD seem unable to behave or follow the rules other children take in stride.
These children characteristically perform better one-on-one than they do in groups.
Most commonly, a child with ADHD exhibits a mix of inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms:
Inattentive Type
- Can’t pay attention to details; often caught daydreaming
- Avoid, dislike, or reluntant to engage in activities that require sustained attention
- Highly distractable, forgetful, absent-minded, careless and/or disorganized
- Often incomplete school work (work may be full of mistakes, turned in late or not at all)
- Don’t listen to instructions
- Lack follow through
Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
- Display extreme physical agitation; fidget, squirm, not remaining still
- Constantly interrupt and speak out of turn; talk excessively; disrupt the classroom
- “On the go” and act as if “driven by a motor”
- Intrude on others
- May resort to more inappropriate behavior when reprimanded
Hyperactivity frequently diminishes in the teenage years as the older child is able to exercise more self-control. However, more than half of those with ADHD in their young years continue to have difficulty as teenagers:
From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Recognizing Early-onset Mental Health Disorders in Children* Poor school performance,
* Difficulty with peer relationships, and
* Low self-esteen are common.
Teens with ADHD and co-occurring Conduct Disorder (CD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) may experience:
* Antisocial behavior,
* Frequent dismissal from school, and
* Delinquency.
