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What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder that affects mostly young children and carries on throughout adulthood. Children might show signs of having a short attention span, hyperactivity, or over impulsive. Most children with ADHD are unaware of the reason of why they may feel a lack of control and might feel isolated. The average attention span development of young children usually develops in three stages. From being able to focus on a particular object for a long period of time to developing a wide attention span, and eventually progressing to the selective attention stage where they consciously switch their focus. For optimal success rate in a classroom setting, a child's final stage of development is vital. ADHD is seen more commonly in boys than girls, signs and symptoms are visible before they turn the age of seven.
- Brain infections, trauma to the head, and lead poisoning
- Use of drugs, high blood pressure, and infections during pregnancy
- Hereditary
- Neurological (brain) imbalance affecting areas that control focusing, planning and organization
There are three main signs associated with ADHD:
- Being hyperactive
- Displaying impulsive behaviour, having a short temper, and prone to accidents
- Hard to pay attention or focus on the tasks at hand
Academic:
- Acquire learning disabilities
- Deteriorating grades or scores on school tests
Cognitive:
- Difficulty in understanding the consequences of misbehaving
- Talking to themselves in a childish way
Emotional:
- Depression and lack of control of emotions
- Inability to follow instructions
- Inability to make friends
- Compulsive lying, stealing, and high-risk behaviour
- Poor social and problem-solving abilities
The treatment of ADHD might be any of the following or the combination of both:
- Diet and nutritional changes to improve general health, which may help reduce the symptoms of ADHD
- Educating the child and his/her family on behaviour changes
- Medication to control chemical imbalance in the brain and target brain area responsible for focusing and self-control
- Psychological counselling to help boost self-esteem
It is important to note that education and psychological treatments need to be used together with medication to ensure the best outcome.
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