It
is estimated that from 3 to 10 percent of the population has a
condition known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This disorder is thought
to affect between 3 and 5% of the school age population. In
general ADHD is estimated to be 3 or 4 times more common in
boys. For some the condition improves as they grow older and
reach puberty but for others the condition, if untreated,
continues to impair their adult life.
Symptoms of ADHD
In Infants
- extreme restlessness,
crying, poor sleep patterns
- difficult to feed
- constant thirst
- frequent tantrums, head
banging and rocking the cot
In older children
- poor concentration and short
attention span
- hyper-activity
- spontaneous behavior
- takes undue risks and are
not afraid of consequences
- lack of co-ordination
- inadequate short term memory
- stubbornness
- lacks self esteem
- sleep and appetite problems
- normal or high IQ but often
under-perform at school
Not all infants and children
with ADHD have all the features of the condition and there are
different degrees of severity. There is no formal test to
diagnose ADHD, so the collection of information, observations
and evaluations from parents, teachers, physicians,
mental-health professionals and the child is vital.
Part of a child's treatment may
mean parenting and teaching styles. Performance evaluation
should be adapted to assist the child in compensating for
weaknesses. Selective use of medication therapy is another
avenue of treatment. Expectations, limitations and potential
side effects of the specific medication should be presented.
Remember, medication will not cause miracles and completely cure
this disorder.
Research shows that some
children with ADD/ADHD will eventually improve their ability to
pay attention and concentrate whether they receive treatment or
not. Their ability for self-control also improves and often
children will require less medication as they get older. This
may mean that the brain gradually is able to produce more of the
needed neurotransmitters on its own without the help of
medicine. However, there is some difficulty with academic
achievement as well since in higher grades children are required
to possess better skills of organization and planning which they
don’t have. It is not possible to predict how a child’s
Attention Deficit Disorder will progress, it is important that
children who have difficulties with attention, concentration and
impulse control, receive early intervention.
