What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder?

In many elementary school classrooms across the nation one will find a child itching to be somewhere else. They are feeling lost and out of control. Children with ADHD are daydreaming, walking around the class without direction, fidgeting in their seat, bothering the child in the next seat, talking excessively, and unable to control their thoughts and actions. These children are also falling behind in their studies. They cannot complete a single thought . . . Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulse behaviors, and the inability to remain focused on tasks or activities. Difficulties in organization, time management, and planning are also prominent …show more content…
However, it appears that heredity plays a major role in the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Snider). In addition, according to Snider, there is a wide spread agreement that ADHD is a valid diagnosis; however, there is no definitive neurological cause for it and no valid neurological or physiological test that can be used to diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (46). Snider emphasizes the behaviors associated with ADHD may be first observed or most troublesome in a classroom setting (46). Snider also found that teachers were involved in making the initial referral nearly 40% of the time. With this stated it is very clear that teachers play an extremely important role in the initial diagnosis process. ADHD usually begins by obtaining data from several sources, including the teacher, parents, and the child. The child will then undergo a series of evaluations and tests that measure impulsivity, attention, and the ability to sustain a task. According to “The Professional Guide to Diseases,” the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the child demonstrating at least six symptoms from the inattention group and six symptoms from the hyperactivity-impulsive group. These symptoms should persist for at least six months and to a degree that is inconsistent with the child’s developmental level. The diagnosis of ADHD should not be made unless there is limitation in social and academic abilities. When diagnosing a child, it is …show more content…
Stimulant medications are commonly used to treat symptoms of ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a chronic condition, which requires ongoing treatment. Stimulant medications can be extremely effective in managing the symptoms of ADHD. Although, the most common complaint made by families of children with ADHD are the many possible side effects associated with stimulate and non-stimulant medications. Slater has stated the most common side effects are reduced appetite, weight loss, problems sleeping, headaches, stomach pain, and irritability. Slater also commented that these side effects can taper off within the first few months of treatment. Non-stimulant medications can also have side effects according to Slater. They, too, can cause nausea, weight loss, and reduced appetite. By simply adjusting the medication dosage, the child can continue using the medication without side effects. When a clinician is adjusting medication, she must be careful not to increase the dosage too much. When treating the symptoms of ADHD the families must be aware that the medication does not treat the cause. Prescription medications simply treat the symptoms of the disorder. Some of the most commonly used medications in the stimulant category are Ritalin, Concerta, Equasym, and Equasym XL. The most common non-stimulant medications are Strattera, Clonidine,