Hi there,
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that affects between five and seven percent of children and between one and three percent of adults. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
If you are concerned about whether a child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit the diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a psychiatrist, a psychologist or by a primary care provider and a pediatrician.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that healthcare providers ask parents, teachers, and other adults who care for the child about the child’s behavior in different settings, like at home, school, or with peers. The healthcare provider should also determine whether the child has another condition that can either explain the symptoms better, or that occurs at the same time as ADHD.
Healthcare providers use the guidelines in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5)1, to help diagnose ADHD. This diagnostic standard helps ensure that people are appropriately diagnosed and treated for ADHD. People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. In addition, the following conditions must be met:
Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
Several symptoms are present in two or more settings, (such as at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, or a personality disorder). The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that can cause above-normal levels of hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. People with ADHD may also have trouble focusing their attention on a single task or sitting still for long periods of time.
Both adults and children can have ADHD. A wide range of behaviors are associated with ADHD. Some of the more common ones include:
having trouble focusing or concentrating on tasks
being forgetful about completing tasks
being easily distracted
having difficulty sitting still
interrupting people while they are talking
For children, ADHD is generally associated with problems at school. Children with ADHD often have trouble succeeding in a controlled classroom setting.
ADHD is believed to have neurological origins. Genetics may also play a role. A reduction in dopamine, a neurotransimitter, is a causative factor in ADHD. Dopamine helps move signals from one nerve to another and plays a role in triggering emotional responses and movements. There is also a structural difference in the brain. Findings indicate that people with ADHD have less gray matter volume. Gray matter includes the brain areas that help with speech, self-control, decision-making and muscle control.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD typically includes behavioral therapies, medication, or both. Types of therapy include psychotherapy, or talk therapy. With talk therapy, you or your child will discuss how ADHD affects your life and ways to help you manage it. Behavioural therapy can help you or your child with learning how to monitor and manage your behavior. The following areas would need to be covered over a number of sessions: parenting strategies to manage behaviours; strategies to improve learning in school; handling homework; teaching your child study strategies.
Medication can also be very helpful when you are living with ADHD. ADHD medications are designed to affect brain chemicals in a way that enables you to better control your impulses and actions.
The two main types of medications used to treat ADHD are stimulants and nonstimulants. Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications. These drugs work by increasing the amounts of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Results of many controlled studies indicate that medications alone can be very effective to reduce core symptoms of ADHD if dosing is carefully adjusted and monitored. Stimulants are the most frequently used and antidepressants and anti-hypertensives are less often prescribed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:
eat a healthy, balanced diet
get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day
get plenty of sleep
limit daily screen time from phones, computers, and TV
Studies have also shown that spending time outdoors can help calm overactive minds and may ease ADHD symptoms. Mindfulness training is another valuable option.
Normal rule-making and household routines can become a huge challenge, depending on the type and severity of the child’s symptoms, so we would need to adopt different approaches when raising a child with ADHD. The following are suggestions that may help with your child’s behavior:
First, create a routine. Try to follow the same schedule every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Establish rituals around meals, homework, playtime, and bedtime. Simple daily tasks, such as having your child lay out his or her clothes for the next day, can provide essential structure.
Second, get organised. Encourage your child to put schoolbags, clothing, and toys in the same place every day so that they will be less likely to lose them. Create a special, quiet space for your child to read, do homework, and take a break from the chaos of everyday life. Keep your home neat and organized so that your child knows where everything goes. This helps reduce unnecessary distractions.
Third, manage distractions. Turn off the TV, limit noise, and provide a clean workspace when your child is doing homework. Some children with ADHD learn well if they are moving or listening to background music. Watch your child and see what works. By decreasing time with electronics and increasing time doing engaging activities outside the home, your child will have an outlet for built-up energy.
Fourth, be clear and specific when you talk with your child. Let your child know you are listening by describing what you heard them say. Use clear, brief directions when they need to do something. The problem with chain commands is that they may result in information overload, particularly if your child has ADHD and has problems with working memory. You may be setting your child up to fail to comply.
Fifth, help your child plan. Break down complicated tasks into simpler, shorter steps. For long tasks, starting early and taking breaks may help limit stress. Try using a large wall calendar to help remind a child of their duties. Colour coding chores and homework can keep your child from becoming overwhelmed with everyday tasks and school assignments. Even morning routines should be broken down into discrete tasks.
