ADD and ADHD

What is ADD/ADHD?

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) is a diagnosable, treatable, biologically based disorder which is characterised by:

	A poor attention span
	Weak impulse control
	Hyperactivity (not necessarily in all cases)
	Excessive squirming and fidgeting
	Difficulty remaining seated
	Tendency to be easily distracted
	Difficulty awaiting respective turn in a game
	Difficulty following instructions and sustaining attention on something
	Excessive talking, tendency to interrupt others often and to not really listen to what is being said
	Tendency to blurt out answers before hearing the complete question
	Excessive running and climbing
	Tendency to lose things and engage in dangerous activities
	Failure to give close attention to details and frequently makes careless mistakes

(Note: To be officially diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, a child must exhibit at least 8 of the above mentioned symptoms before age 7 for a period of more than 6 months. The behaviours must also create a handicap in at least two areas of the individual's life. A diagnosis can also only be made by a qualified health care professional.)

What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?

Basically, the main difference is only in the terminology used. Some people use the term ADD to talk about ADHD without the hyperactive component or generically, to include all types of ADHD. Medically, the official diagnosis is always ADHD, and not ADD.

What are the different types of ADHD?

Recent literature proposes 2 subtypes of ADHD: Behavioural and Cognitive (being split 80/20).

What causes ADHD?

One single cause for ADHD has not been conclusively identified, however it is most likely caused by "biological factors which influence neurotransmitter activity in certain parts of the brain". Fact sheet on ADHD www.add.org/content/abc/factsheet.htm. (c) 1998, Peter Jaksa, Ph.D. There is also evidence to suggest that ADD/ADHD is genetic.

Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT caused by food allergies, poor parenting, poor teachers or poor schools or family problems. 

How does ADHD affect a child?

Impulse leads to action in a child with ADHD. If they get an idea, they have to act on it immediately; but in most cases, a second idea presents itself before the child is finished with the first one. This is why children are often "supercharged" and sometimes feel as if everything is happening all at once. This creates a feeling of perpetual panic and inner turmoil. The almost instant impulse to action tendency also means that ADD children have very little tact. They will blurt things out without really thinking about them.

This being said, however, people with ADHD are often highly intuitive, extremely imaginative, and seem to have a gift for cutting through all the unnecessary surface junk and getting right to the essence of the matter. "This is the person who can't explain how he thought of the solution, or where the idea for the story came from, or why suddenly he produced such a painting, or how he knew the short cut to the answer, but all he can say is he just knew it, he could feel it. This is the man or woman who makes million dollar deals in a catnap and pulls them off the next day. This is the child who, having been reprimanded for blurting something out, is then praised for having blurted out something brilliant. These are the people who learn and know and do and go by touch and feel." Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. http://www.add.org/content/abc/hallowell.htm

ADHD is also sometimes - but not always - accompanied by learning disabilities, TIC disorders such as Tourette's Syndrome, gross and fine motor control delays, developmental delays and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

What can be done to help children with ADHD?

ADHD can be treated with medication, such as those outlined below. The training of parents, counselling of the child to teach them coping skills is also important.

The medication which is prescribed for children with ADHD include psychostimulants such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert; antidepressants such as Tofranil or Janimine, norpramin or pertofane, or pamelor; and neuroleptics such as thioridazine, propericiazine or chlorpormazine. Neroleptics are often used in conjunction with stimulants. Tranquilizers such as mellaris and atarax can also be prescribed.

NOTE: The medication mentioned is extremely potent and should ONLY be used after consultation with a physician, and in the exact dosage recommended specifically for your child.

Research has shown that medication does not necessarily have to stop when a child reaches their teen years. It is advantageous for those teenagers who meet the criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD.

It should also be noted that medication on its own is not enough to help the child. Parents first and foremost need to understand that they must invest a lot more time, effort and understanding into raising a child with ADHD. The following strategies and techniques have been found to be useful:

	-   Inform children of an upcoming change (ie. "We're leaving in 5 minutes"). This can lessen the impact of change for the child.
	-   Clearly outline household rules, rewards and punishments and post them up around the house in writing (Make sure you use rewards that are powerful and meaningful to the child).
	-   Use positive praise and rewards more than negative comments and punishments.
	-   Keep things as consistent as possible and keep the child in a highly structured environment.
	-   Educate other parents, teachers, friends, etc. about ADHD.
	-   Timeouts can be useful to remove the child from an ugly situation and also give them time to reflect.
	-   Give your child regular feedback to let them know how they're doing.
	-   Be patient.
	-   Identify your child’s strengths and build upon them so that your child has a sense of pride and accomplishment.
	-   Set aside a daily "special time" for your child.
	-   Make sure you always praise your child when they do things correctly.
	-   Remember that ADHD is a biological problem and not a fault in your child's character!

One should also keep in mind children with ADHD think, act, and feel differently to other people. This makes them exceptionally talented, gifted and unique individuals with an infinite amount of potential. It is our responsibility to ensure that that's the way they are always treated.