Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - "ADD" or "ADHD" - affects between five to ten percent (5% - 10%) of all children in the United States, and three to six percent (3% - 6%) of adults. About 35% of all children referred to mental health clinics are referred for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, making it one of the most prevalent of all childhood psychiatric disorders.
The 5% number is a solid, conservative number supported by a lot of research. Even at 5% each classroom in America will have one or two (2) ADHD kids in the class. So it is a very real, and very significant problem across America.
When only Parent Rating Scales are used in a research project, the numbers will range from a low of seven percent (7%) of school-aged children to a high of twenty-three percent (23%) of children.
You may see published estimates stating that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may effect as many as 20% to 30% of children in America, but these numbers are not really supported by research data, and are probably inflated for the purpose of trying to sell something.
However, we should note that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Head Injuries, or other Specific Learning Disabilities, are often mistaken for ADD ADHD, which can inflate the numbers reported. As many as 10% of children are now being born with FAS or are drug exposed babies.
ADHD is not a "fad" disorder, nor is it a conspiracy by pharmaceutical companies to get more kids on drugs. It is a very real neurological condition that is common enough as to require parents, teachers, and physicians to become better educated about its causes, the available treatment options, and the potential problems with doing nothing. Learn more about ADHD at the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
Diagnosing ADHD in Your Child, an Introduction
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children or adults is going to have their own opinion on how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD or ADHD - should be diagnosed. Some clinics take the perspective that "more is good," and will recommend a large battery of tests, often costing many thousands of dollars.
Is it Attention Deficit Disorder or is it Tourettes Syndrome?
During the assessment process it is of great importance for the physician or clinician to consider other possible causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in your child (or teen, or yourself). In fact, this is probably the most important element of a good assessment.
Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD as it is more commonly known, is characterized by restlessness and impulsivity. Though extensive studies have been done and are ongoing, much is still to be learnt about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder). Symptoms vary so greatly in different individuals that it makes the diagnosis and treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) very difficult. ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) can occur in childhood, but so many of its symptoms are associated with the growing pains of childhood and diagnosis is often delayed. If treatment of ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder) is not begun in childhood then the conditions will usually continue into adulthood and then manifest themselves in ...
Online Business Podcasting Expo Jan 19-21, 2007 Offers Seminars For Overcoming Challenges for ADHD Entrepreneurs, Quickbook Training, Outlook Tips, Po
The Business Podcasting Expo is an Online Audio/Visual Business Conference with seminars including ADHD Challenges for Entrepreneurs, Quickbook Training, Outlook Tips, and Installing WordPress. The BizPodExpo also offers introductory classes on Podcasting, and how to increase your search engine ranking using this audio/video social media. There will be thousands of dollars worth of giveaways and prizes, and a Data DVD of all recorded seminars is included with full Admission. The event is sponsored by Co-Op World and PodcastDirectories4Sale.com
ADHD: Causes and Treatments
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that is largely neuroligical in nature. ADHD is characterised by inattentiveness, restlessness and/or inappropriate impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Although commonly associated with children, this disorder can persist into adulthood. Symptoms often interfere with children learning and socialising.
How to Get a Good Diagnosis to See If Your Child Has ADHD
Your child's teacher says that you need to find out if your child has ADHD or not. What do you do? Here are some tips from the ADHD Information Library.
ADHD: Some Survival Strategies for Parents
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested Survival Strategies for parents, and then asked readers to contribute some of their thoughts or tips. Since this newsletter is already running pretty long, I'll only list a few of them below.
Important Pointers When Parenting A Adhd Child
Parenting a ADHD child can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride emotionally. ADHD children can be funny, inspirational creative, and gifted in lots of ways, as well as having challenging behaviors.
Fish Oil May Improve Behavior for Children With ADHD
A study published in the Nutrition Journal reveals that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can improve their behavior with daily supplements of purified fish oils. The eight-week study demonstrated that children who received between 8 and 16 grams of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils per day were observed to have significant behavioral improvements.
School Issues: When Should an ADHD Child Be Held Back In School?
This can be a very complicated issue, so I don't mean to suggest that my comments here are the definitive thoughts on the subject. For a parent to even consider the issue, things have to be pretty problematic at school.
"What's Not ADHD?"
Let?s look at five behavioral issues which are not ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). While these difficulties may be found along with ADHD, it doesn?t mean that they are symptoms of ADHD.
Adult ADHD: The Magic Egg Timer Trick
For people with Adult ADHD, focusing long enough to get even a small task done--if it is boring--can seem almost impossible! Here?s what I do when I have to focus on something that I really don't like to do, especially sitting at my desk.
How Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Diagnosed?
Assessing whether a certain individual is suffering from Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder or not is far harder than it appears to laymen like ourselves. This is because, not only does it?s symptoms largely overlap those of hyperthyroidism etc. they are also largely exhibited by ?normal? human beings some time or the other every single day. Therefore the first important step towards diagnosing the disease is to consult a trained health care provider regarding it. Things only seem scary when we are treading over 'new ground', so to speak. Take small but deliberate steps and a positive end will begin to appear on the horizion.
The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems? A powerful intervention that is clinically tested with computerized testing, not merely parent reports, has been available to the public since 1997, but is little known.
It is an over the counter product that contains specific Amino Acid combinations, Essential Fatty Acids, Phospholipid complexes, and Homeopathic Medicines.
Understanding The Different Nutritional Supplements Adhd Options
Although most people who have been diagnosed with ADHD are prescribed medications to help improve their condition, proper nutrition should still be considered as a crucial part to keeping the symptoms of the disorder at bay. Why should this be? Well, although Ritalin and other such stimulant drugs are able to remedy the symptoms felt by many people with ADHD, the relief that these medications provide is merely temporary and can cause some unwanted side effects. With the proper nutritional supplements, ADHD behaviors may be effectively managed either alongside medications or without them. How is this possible?