By: Practical Cures

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that greatly affects children and can persist throughout adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Estimates show that 11 percent of school-aged children and about 4 percent of adults have ADHD. It is usually first identified when children are school-aged, although it also can be diagnosed in people of all age groups. In an average classroom of 30 children, research suggests that at least one will have ADHD. No single biological cause for ADHD has been found. But most research points to genes inherited from parents as the leading contributor to ADHD and have found that it often runs in families.

There are many misconceptions about ADHD including:

• ADHD is a result of poor parenting: False

Having a child with ADHD is not a result of poor parenting. Parents have to be patient and work extra hard to find what works best for their children. Inconsistent limit-setting and other ineffective parenting practices can, however, worsen its expression. You will find a number of proven parenting techniques that can help children with ADHD manage their behavior.

• It is over diagnosed: False

Diagnosis of ADHD requires a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed clinician, such as a pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist with expertise. ADHD is now easier to diagnose through more appropriate diagnostic tools and a range of signs and symptoms. Many children years prior have been misdiagnosed or not diagnoses at all.

• It is an excuse for poor behavior: False

ADHD is a chronic disorder of the brain. There are two types of ADHD:

Inattentive: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.

Hyperactive-Impulsive: The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.

• Only children are diagnosed and eventually grow of it before adulthood: False

Recent studies have shown that some aspects of ADHD can persist well into adult life for as many as 85% of these children. Some adults can still benefit from the use of ADHD medication for the rest of their lives. Others have demonstrated enough improvement that this medication becomes unneeded depending on what occupation they choose and their ability to succeed in relationships and other social activities.

References

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (2016, November 16). Retrieved February 10, 2017,

from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

Brown, T. E. (2016). Growing Up With ADHD: Clinical Care Issues. Psychiatric Times, 33(1), 25-28.

Grogan, M., & Weitzman, J. (2015). Using the 12-Steps as a Parenting Intervention With ADHD

Adolescents. American Journal Of Family Therapy, 43(4), 364-377.

doi:10.1080/01926187.2015.1051904

Mulholland, S. M., Cumming, T. M., & Jung, J. Y. (2015). Teacher Attitudes Towards Students Who

Exhibit ADHD-Type Behaviours. Australasian Journal Of Special Education, 39(1), 15-36.

doi:10.1017/jse.2014.18