A D H D
Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without Hyperactivity, has been described as a condition when, compared with most children of the same age and sex, and in more than one setting, the child has a range of problem behaviours associated with poor attention span. These can include:Hyperkinetic Syndrome or Disorder is the term used by the World Health Organisation (the European Guidelines) when comparing extreme levels of motor activity in children with ‘normal’ peers. It is now recognised as a sub-category of AD/HD that applies to highly hyperactive children.
Three sub-types have been recognised:
It is estimated that in the USA 5% of children may suffer from AD/HD. In the UK standards are organised in a different way and experts believe the rate here to be about 1.7%. The condition is more common in boys, who are also more likely to be hyperactive.
Attention Difficulties:
A child must exhibit at least six of the following symptoms for at least six months:
Failing to pay close attention to detail and making careless errors; failing to finish tasks; appearing not to listen; failing to follow through instructions; disorganised; avoiding tasks requiring sustained mental effort; losing things e.g. pencils, books, toys; easily distracted; forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity:
A child must exhibit at least three of the following symptoms for at least six months:
Runs around or excessively climbs over things; noisy or can’t take part in quiet activities; unable to stay in a seat; fidgets with hands and feet or squirms on seat.
Impulsivity:
A child must exhibit at least one of the following symptoms for at least six months:
Blurts out answers; fails to wait in lines, turn taking, group situations; interrupts others’ conversations/games; talks excessively without regard to others.
ADHD children may also exhibit temper tantrums, sleep disorders, clumsiness, confrontational defiant disorder, conduct disorders, specific learning difficulties, severe clinical depression, anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis and treatments:
Diagnosis is by a doctor, usually a child or adolescent psychiatrist, a paediatrician or your GP. Other professionals should be consulted and evidence collected. Most experts favour a multi-modal approach toward treating and managing the disorder, recognising the co-existing conditions and the importance of treating all symptoms. Treatment may consist of management techniques for home and school, medication, psychological treatments, diet e.g. food allergies and supplements.
Drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor or consultant for true ADHD and they should be taken only as and when directed. Each individual reacts uniquely to medication: if one causes unwanted side effects (such as weight loss, headaches or insomnia) then consult your GP again: the amount given, the time it is given, or the drug itself may need changing. There are several well-known and tried drug treatments for addressing the problems posed to young people with ADHD. They can help increase attention, and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. There may also be some side effects.
At home your child will need
Your child was born like this; appreciate this. Do not use confrontation to change him: make your expectations realistic and give him your patience and time, but most of all make him feel valued and loved.
At school: Help create a structured environment so that these children have less problems with starting and completing tasks, making transitions, working with others, following directions, organising multi-faceted projects and maintaining attention: They need predictability, structure, short work periods, more individual instruction, positive reinforcement and an interesting curriculum.
Teachers should
What you want - give them the positives
Other Useful Contacts:
ADDISS (Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service) for parents, sufferers and professionals keeps an extremely good book list and provide conferences and training.
Ring Andrea Bilbow on 0208 906 9068
Web: www.addiss.co.uk
email: info@addiss.co.uk
The ADHD UK Alliance is a group aiming to coordinate, promote and develop new work and work already being done across the country by various local ADHD support groups. It is supported by the Contact a Family charity. Membership is open to parents, professionals and support groups.
Tel: 020 7608 8760
Dore Achievement Centres
helps children, teenagers and adults affected by learning difficulties, including ADHD, to achieve their full potential through exercises to improve the performance of the cerebellum, enabling the brain to use its full power.
Tel: 0870 880 6060
Web: www.dorecentres.co.uk
Email: info@dore.co.uk
Hyperactive Children’s Support Group helps children, their families, teachers etc and runs workshops. Lots of information on foods and substances that affect children and teenagers with ADHD/hyperactivity.
71 Whyke Lane, Chichester, W Sussex PO19 7PD.
Web: www.hacsg.org.uk
Tel: 01243 539966
Reading: see also OAASIS information sheet ‘Books – where to find them’
OAASIS publishes A First Guide to ADHD in its First Guide series. Price £5.00 plus p&p. You can ring or write to OAASIS at the address over the page for a publications list / order form or visit the website.
New books on ADHD are coming out all the time, contact -
David Fulton Publishers
Tel: 0208 996 3610
Website:www.fultonpublishers.co.uk
Email: mail@fultonpublishers.co.uk
Order via Bookplace Ltd,
Tel: 08000 921 554
Email: customerservice@bookplace-ltd.co.uk
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Website: www.jkp.com
Email: post@jkp.com
Tel: 0207 833 2307.
Sage Publications
Web: www.sagepub.co.uk
(includes Paul Chapman Publishing and Luck Duck books) for all professionals working in schools and educational settings.
SEN Marketing
Website: www.senbooks.co.uk
Email: info@senbooks.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 01924 871697
The internet book shop www.amazon.co.uk.
And ADDISS - see above.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactity Disorder: A Practical Guide for Teachers.
Authors: Paul Cooper and Katherine Ideus. Available from David Fulton Publishers (see above), £17.00 + £2.75 p&p. ISBN 1 85346 431 7.
The ADHD Handbook: A Guide for Parents and Professionals.
Authors: Alison Munden and Jon Arcelus. Available from Jessica Kingsley Publishers (see above), £11.95 + p&p. ISBN 1 85302 756 1.
The Ritalin Fact Book – What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You
Author Peter R Breggin, MD.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk for £7.10 + p&p. ISBN 0 7382 0450 1. 2003.
Internet sites:
UK sites: Thanet ADDers on www.adders.org/ where there is a list of local ADHD support groups run by parents. ADHD Family Support Group Milton Keynes has superb info, tips, events, links etc useful wherever you are www.mk-adhd.org.uk
And in the US www.chadd.org and www.addvance.com
Cambian Education Services run seven residential special schools and colleges for young people with autistic spectrum disorders, Asperger Syndrome/HFA, severe learning difficulties. OAASIS can give you advice on the schools and send you their prospectuses.
OAASIS also has a list of independent special schools/colleges that mention ADHD, again please contact us. OAASIS produces 8 chargeable publications entitled ‘First Guide to…’; wallet sized cards explaining 9 learning disabilities and a wide range of free Information Sheets. Please contact OAASIS for the full list, or view them on the website at www.oaasis.co.uk. All the information sheets are checked annually, please ensure you have the current version.
© OAASIS (Office for Advice Assistance Support and Information on Special needs) This article can be freely reproduced with due attribution of authorship.