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ADDvisor |
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For People with ADHD & Those Who Love Them |
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| Subscribe Me to the ADDvisor Newsletter | Bill Benninger | Alan Graham | ||
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Cogmed Working Memory Training Outline: Everything You Want To Know About ADHD
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Return to ADDvisor Volume 1, 1999 Index Number 4, October 1, 1999 ================================================ In this issue 1. Introduction: An ADHD Overview 2. ADHD: What Is It? 3. What Causes ADHD? ==================================================== INTRODUCTION : AN ADHD OVERVIEW ==================================================== We are pleased to announce that The ADDvisor e-mail newsletter will now be published two times per month. This will enable us to provide you with more information, more often. This issue, as well as the next three first of the month issues will be a series of basic ADHD information. These will be titled ADHD – What Is It?; ADHD – How Is It Diagnosed?; ADHD – What Do We Do After The Diagnosis? Behavioral Treatments Part I and ADHD – What Do We Do After The Diagnosis? Medication Part II. Together this basic information series will provide an easy, informative introduction to ADHD parents who are facing this diagnosis for the first time. This series, along with all other newsletters, will be archived on our web site for future reference. ==================================================== ADHD: WHAT IS IT? ==================================================== Although the history of individuals having problems with inattention dates all the way back to one of Shakespeare’s characters in King Henry VIII, serious clinical interest in this grouping of symptoms appears to have developed around 1902. An English physician, George Still, published descriptions of children in his practice whom he described as having a deficit in “volitional inhibition.” Over the years various diagnostic terms have been used including “minimal brain dysfunction” (MBD), “hyperkinetic reaction of childhood,” and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The current terminology for this disorder is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Primary Symptoms of ADHD: At this time, two major symptoms are believed to be characteristic of ADHD: 1) inattention and 2) hyperactive-impulsive behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Inattention is characterized by an individual’s inability to sustain attention to tasks and follow rules or instructions as well as others the same age. These children also tend to be much more disorganized, distracted, and forgetful. Common complaints about these children include being easily distracted, failing to finish assignments, having difficulty concentrating and difficulty listening. Hyperactive-impulsive children may have difficulty staying seated, they may play noisily, talk excessively, interrupt others and have trouble waiting their turn. These problems may first appear as early as 3 or 4 years of age. Inattentive symptoms tend to surface a little later, usually around the time that formal schooling begins-about six or seven. =================================================== WHAT CAUSES ADHD? =================================================== Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurological disorder. It is generally thought to be a problem located within the right frontal cortical region of the brain. More specifically, it is thought there is a problem with the absorption of specific chemicals within the brain, primarily dopamine and norepinephrine. Most of the current research suggests ADHD is highly hereditary. There is no significant research to support the many other commonly held beliefs as to its cause, such as excess sugar intake, food additives, poor parenting, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, food allergies, or back/body alignment problems. It is worth repeating that, like height, eye or hair color, research results support the theory ADHD is genetically transmitted and a neurological condition whose problem is most likely based in the right frontal cortical region of the brain. It is not a myth or a weak excuse for a bad kid. What do these findings mean to the parents of an “accurately” diagnosed (accurate diagnosis will be reviewed in next month’s column) ADHD child or adolescent? First and foremost, it means that ADHD is not your fault (unless, of course, you want to count genetics). It is equally important to realize the way your ADHD child behaves is not their fault. The ADHD child has a chronic disability that will most likely continue into adulthood and change the course of his or her life, making adapting, coping, and managing key concepts in living with this disorder. Though there is no cure for ADHD, many treatments and resources (which will be highlighted in upcoming articles) are available to those diagnosed with ADHD and their families. Please stay in touch. We are here to help you. If you have a topic of particular interest, please let us know. Questions are also welcome. CONTACT INFORMATION _______________________ Alan R. Graham, Ph.D. Bill Benninger, Ph.D. ADDvisor.com Voice: 1-866-ADDvisor Fax: 847-824-2386 Email: Alan@ADDvisor.com Bill@ADDvisor.com Web: www.ADDvisor.com
c) Copyright 1999 ADDvisor.com, Ltd. All rights reserved The above material may be retransmitted or distributed to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site. Republication of "The ADDvisor" in paper media is encouraged and permitted by organizations and associations which serve parents of ADHD children at the national, state and/or local level as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety without charge and includes the contact information. With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication is also encouraged under other circumstances, however, the advance permission of Alan R. Graham and/or Bill Benninger must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired or republication is to be made by individuals or by organizations other than those mentioned above.
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