Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are two of the most commonly diagnosed disorders of childhood.

Experts estimate that between 2 percent and 20 percent of school aged children suffer from this disorder. Its definition has changed over the years; professionals now consider it a neuro-developmental disorder that often runs in families. 

What are the ADHD and ADD symptoms?

Three major factors are considered when diagnosing ADD in children and adults: poor attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors.

Children with poor attention:

  • Make careless mistakes
  • Have difficulty paying attention
  • Seem not to listen when spoken to
  • Fail to follow through on instructions
  • Have difficulty organizing tasks
  • Lose things
  • Are easily distracted
  • Are often forgetful

Children who are hyperactive (ADHD):

  • Fidget with hands or feet
  • Leave their seats in school when they are supposed to sit still
  • Run and climb excessively and at inappropriate times
  • Have difficulty playing quietly
  • Act as if "driven by a motor"
  • Talk excessively

Children who show impulsivity:

  • Blurt out answers before questions have been completed
  • Have difficulty waiting their turn
  • Often interrupt or intrude on others

To be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, a child must engage in these behaviors more often and more dramatically than do other children his age. These behaviors must also have been present before the age of 7 and create problems in at least two settings (home, school, work or with friends).

Do we need testing?

It's important to understand that other conditions can cause these behaviors. For example, a child who is very anxious or who is depressed can sometimes be inattentive and agitated but probably does not have ADHD.

Likewise, children who have a learning disability or delay can have trouble sitting still and paying attention when asked to read materials they don't understand. A child with a memory problem can also appear to be inattentive when he simply can not remember.

This is why it is so important to complete a thorough assessment of the child by a qualified educational specialist, psychologist, counselor or doctor who specializes in learning disabilities. A good assessment not only proves that your child really does have signs of ADHD, but it also rules out other possible causes or explanations.

Who should test?

Seek out a psychologist who has a lot of experience diagnosing ADHD and other difficulties. The psychologist can formally assess the child for the possibility of emotional problems (like anxiety or depression), other behavior problems (like Oppositional Defiant Disorder), learning disorders, language difficulties or memory problems.

These difficulties are not likely to be apparent through casual observation by other professionals, but often come along with ADD/ADHD. 

How Is ADHD treated?

The treatment that most people think of for ADHD is stimulant medication, specifically Ritalin. This drug helps a person concentrate and maintain focus. For hyperactive children, stimulant medication can also slow the rate of their behaviors.

Medication is not the only tool parents have to manage difficult behaviors in ADHD children, though. Nor is it the most effective method when used alone. Studies show that children with ADHD do better for longer when treated with a "multi-modal" approach or one that uses a combination of different types (modes) of treatment to manage a child's behavior.

Medication is only one mode of treatment, and studies have shown that other modes of treatment can be just as effective. The most common -- and the most effective -- plans include medication and some form of a behavior management program.

Behavior management usually involves teaching parents and/or teachers effective ways to deal with the child's troubling behaviors. Other types of treatment can include tutoring and training in study skills, self-control and social skills.

The key is to design a treatment plan that meets the specific needs of your child.

 

Christopher P. Giuliano is the father of five children and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University.