ADD IN THE PRESSCHOOL

ADHD Information
Answers About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD or ADD are abbreviations for "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder". ADHD is one of the most common "childhood behavior disorders" impacting about 8% of children in the USA. We have over 300 pages of information, tips, and strategies on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to answer your questions!

"ADHD" - Information on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Learn about ADHD symptoms and treatment options, adhd medication and side effects, natural treatment for ADHD, our ADHD Diet, and much more! Use our FREE online ADHD screening tool. Choose one of these QUICK LINK buttons, check out our left navigation items, or scroll down to learn all about ADHD

ADHD Facts About Attention Deficit Disorder

in

• ADD ADHD Facts

ADD ADHD Information

"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", also called "ADHD", is one of the most common childhood behavior disorders. Of all children referred to mental health professionals, more are referred for ADHD than for any other condition. Those with ADHD have problems in most of the areas of their life, including home, school, work, and in relationships.

What is ADHD?

"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" is a neurological disorder that impacts individuals in four main categories:

• Attention - causing people to have problems paying attention, focusing on a task, or finishing tasks, especially if they are not very interesting tasks.
• Impulsivity - causing a lack of self-control. Impulsive behaviors, or choices, can cause havoc in relationships, work, school, or life.
• Hyperactivity - Many (though not all) with ADHD are "bouncy" and hyperactive, always "on the go" and restless.
• Easily Bored - Unless the task is very stimulating, like a video game or TV program or outside playing, those with attention disorders are often easily bored by a task - especially bored by homework, math tests, balancing checkbooks, or doing taxes, and many of these tasks just never get done.

Children, teens, and adults can all suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

"Attention Deficit" impacts about 8% of children and teenagers, and about 4% of adults. Less than half of the children with ADD ever "out-grow" it in adolescence or adulthood. If untreated, the disorder can have long-term adverse effects into adolescence and adulthood.

The disorder has different "looks" or "types." This is discussed in great detail under the section the different types of ADHD.

For some it severely impacts behavior, and for others it greatly impacts learning. For the group in the middle, it just impacts their attention, focus, concentration, and getting the job done.

Over-Diagnosis of ADHD

The over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a problem. There are some children who are diagnosed as having ADD ADHD that simply do not have it.

It is not uncommon for someone with the following conditions to be diagnosed as ADHD when they do not have ADHD:

• depression
• anxiety
• specific learning disabilities
• early onset bi-polar disorder
• Tourette's Syndrome
• food allergies
• head injuries
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• dental problems, such as abscessed root canals or mercury toxicity from fillings
• significant family problems
• grief or trauma

These differential diagnoses must be considered - and ruled out - before making a diagnosis of ADHD.

This kind of mis-diagnosis is often the result of a diagnostic "work-up" which is too brief and does not take into account the many reasons why a child might be inattentive, impulsive, or over-active.

ADHD in Children

in About 5% of all children are born with ADHD.

Depending on the type of Attention Deficit Disorder that they inherit they may have some very serious challenges in childhood to overcome.

Many parents report that they knew their child had ADHD from infancy, and there is a lot of discussion taking place today regarding the use of stimulant medications with children as young as four years old.

Certainly, as children with ADD ADHD reach school age, they will have new struggles as they leave their comfortable home environment for the structure of a classroom. Often ADHD kids "hit a wall" academically in third grade, and again in the seventh grade.

There are several effective interventions for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, including medications, therapy for their family, cognitive and behavioral training, ATTEND and other homeopathic nutraceutical medicines, EEG biofeedback, and diet interventions.

Even as a child ADHD can have a negative impact on social interactions with peers. For those ADHD kids who are impulsive, hyperactive, or have temper outbursts, it is likely that they will not be as well liked as other kids without ADHD, and will have fewer friends.