Even though the percentage of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is likely the same as in the past, there are three likely reasons why it seems that "there is more ADHD" than ever before:
First, we become more aware of problems like this as parents than we were as a children. We have grown up now and we are more concerned about these issues since we have our own children.
Second, the news and entertainment media have talked about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder a lot more than in the past, raising our awareness levels.
Third, a recent study by the National Institute of Drug Abuse reported that 5.5% of women REPORTED using illicit drugs while they were pregnant; 18.8% REPORTED using alcohol, and 20.4% REPORTED using tobacco while pregnant. Children who were Drug Exposed in utero, or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children, have many of the same problems as children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and are often misdiagnosed by physicians as being ADHD.
In our rural area of California it is estimated that 10% of all children born in our county were exposed to drugs or alcohol by their mothers during pregnancy.
There are no known "safe levels" of drug, alcohol, or tobacco use while pregnant. The use of drugs or alcohol are especially dangerous to the developing baby and can often cause neurological problems. When these children enter school, they often display problems with attention, impulse control, temper, learning, and behavior. They are often misdiagnosed as having a genetically based Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
However, rather than having a genetically based Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) what they really suffer from are structural head injuries thanks to their mother's past behaviors. 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.
ADHD Kids Hitting the Wall at School
Can you imagine the most difficult environment for a child who had difficulty sitting still, difficulty paying attention, and loved to talk to other children? Imagine that this child had to go into this environment every day, and was expected to perform successfully in this environment.
When you think about it, it is the classroom setting that is this difficult setting for these kids.
Anti-Social Behaviors and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Anti-social behaviors are common with ADHD individuals. About 60% of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder kids are also oppositional or defiant.
The Help Group Summit 2007 Features More Than 20 Leading Experts in Autism, Learning Disabilities & ADHD
Two-Day seminar for professionals and parents to present cutting edge information in research and best practices.
The Eagle Soars -- Science and Religion Have Merged! God Exists--And Stress Causes ADHD, All Mental Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Dise
A medical technologist recovered from a 27-year course of central nervous system poisoning due to medical misdiagnoses, personal stress and caffeine. Several years later Ruth Whalen experienced symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Miss Whalen treated herself, recovered, researched, uncovered a medical and religious travesty, and discovered that the brain contains a black hole. Ruth merged science with religion and released The Light: How Stress Poisons the Central Nervous System and Causes ADHD, Parkinson's Disease, Schizophrenia, Autoimmune Response and More.
Discover The Best Resources For Adhd
From medical options to alternative solutions, resources for ADHD vary in their availability, variety, and mode of use and extent of effects after treatment and therapy.
Adult ADHD Symptoms: Two Sides To Focus
One person?s focus is another person?s distraction, and you really need to take this into consideration when you?re talking about being able to focus, or not focus, with Adult ADHD symptoms.
Callin All Parents Who Are Looking For Information On ADHD
It can be hard to find good information on ADHD. We have a society that is so quick to Medicate, after all, that often other solutions are ignored. Don't get me wrong, ADHD medication can be very helpful for a lot of people. Whether you suffer from adult ADHD, ADD, or childhood attention deficit disorder, there are many medical options to choose from. Nonetheless, there has been some evidence that taking Ritalin in the long term is not very good for the health. It is easy to pop a pill, of course, but it is not the only solution. There is information on ADHD that indicates that there are other, perhaps better choices.
Fat for Attention Deficit Disorder Treatment
Hyperactivity-is it normal behavior or ADHD(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/ADHD.html)? A little over-exuberance is expected in growing children, but what about when a tendency towards impulsiveness, a lack of concentration, and sometimes excessive physical activity are carried on into adulthood? Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) is defined as age-inappropriate behavior, specifically:
What About ADHD Teens and Driving?
This is one of the most common questions asked of me by parents of teenagers who have ADHD.
"Should I let my teen drive when he turns 16? He seems so immature.
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.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 101
Introduction
This is a type of mental disorder, which occurs primarily in school-aged children but can also be diagnosed for the first time in the late teens esp., if some of its symptoms are left unnoticed.
Teacher Tips: Helping ADHD Students to Perform Better in Your Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
Teacher Tips: Giving Tests to ADHD Students
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.
How To Diagnose ADHD In Children - ADHD Symptom Checklist For Child
In my capacity as a psychiatrist I hear the same questions repeated ad nauseam, and the quantity of questions far exceeds the actual range of topics. Time and time again, it is the same questions generally relating to either the diagnosis and or treatment of ADHD such as "how do I diagnose adhd", "how can i determine if my child has adhd?, "signs of adhd in young children", "does my child have adhd" and many more.
Teacher Tips: Dealing With Impulsive Behaviors From ADHD Students in the Classroom
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate themselves to our children! We know how difficult it can be working with ADHD children, so here are your teacher tips for the week, brought to you by the ADHD Information Library and ADDinSchool.com.