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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

January 15, 1995, a baby girl was born. Her mother was thrilled she was finally here. She decided to name her baby girl, Erin. Although baby Erin was 8 weeks premature, her mother thought she was a perfect baby girl. Several years later she would discover she had an impulsive little girl with behavioral problems. Dr. Kimerli Plumb, her pediatrician at Jackson Clinic ran numerous tests on Erin. She diagnosed her with having Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr. Plumb explained to the mother of little Erin, ADHD is a chemical imbalance that was a genetic disorder and her daughter had several symptoms related to ADD/ADHD. I would like to discuss with you, when ADHD was discovered, the cause and effects of ADHD, how ADHD affects the people diagnosed with it and finally, the positive treatment methods of ADHD.
Pause
     (Let's begin with the history of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
     ADHD was first discovered in the mid 19th century by, Heinrich Hoffman, an English physician. In 1845 he wrote books on medicine and psychiatry.
Pause

According to the National Attention Deficit Society web page, in 1902, a British physician, Sir George F. Still, documented cases involving impulsive children with significant behavioral problems, caused by genetic dysfunction and not by poor child rearing. Studies indicate that 25 percent of the close relatives in the families of ADHD children also have ADHD, about 5 percent in the general population. The one part of the brain, the frontal lobes of the cerebrum allow us to solve problems, plan ahead, understand the behavior of others, and restrain our impulses, is related to ADHD.
ADHD children have a 3-4 percent smaller brain volume in all regions. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD or approximately 2 million children in the United States. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD. About 3 times more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD.

Slow down
With an idea of how ADHD was first recognized as a genetic disorder and the numbers of children who may be affected by it. The mother of little Erin would notice that the appearance of her daughter was perfectly normal. Her mental behavior was different from the other children at her age and school. Next, I would like to talk about some of the symptoms associated with ADHD.
According to "A Parent's Guide to ADHD", Some parents may see signs in their toddler long before their child enters school. There are many characteristics which form the basis for suspecting ADHD and they are:

• Inattention:
• Has a hard time paying attention, daydreams
• Does not seem to listen
• Is easily distracted from work or play
• Doesn't follow though on instructions or finish tasks

• Is in constant motion
• Can't stay seated
• Run, jumps, and climbs when it is not permitted

• Acts and speaks without thinking
• Has trouble taking turns
• Interrupts others

Some children have few of these symptoms and others have many     

(Little Erin has most of these symptoms. Her mother knows ADHD children face a difficult task ahead. Also these symptoms are going to make her act different, now we can take a look at how ADHD will affect her as she becomes an adult. We have talked about some symptoms of a person with ADHD; Now let's look at how treatment can give a positive affect with ADHD.)

I extended my research by looking up some information on ADHD in the book of Taking Charge of ADHD, by Russell A. Barkley, PhD. I found for most children stimulant medications and behavior therapy to treat ADHD. This is known as a multimodal treatment. There are many forms of behavior therapy, but they all have a common goal-to change the child's physical and social environments to help the child improve their behavior.

Many children with ADHD-approximately 20 to 30 percent also have a specific learning disability. In school age children, reading or spelling disabilities, writing disorders and math disorder, (dyslexic), is very common. Reading disabilities affect up to 8 percent of elementary school children

Conclusion:

As I close, I hope you have a better understanding on how ADHD was first discovered as a genetic disorder. Also, you may now be able to recognize a child with ADHD, by the three symptoms and know what effects they will endure as they become adults. Erin's mother has done some extensive research on ADHD, and treatment, since she was diagnosed. The more knowledge of ADHD and treatments, Erin's mother gets more confident in raising her daughter to the fullest potential. Erin will be turning 10 years old this January. She is a great joy to be around and has been a great learning experience for her family. As the years go by I am sure she will accomplish great things and make her mother very proud, I know this because I am one of the parents of little Erin.................I am her mommy! 
  
Bibliography:
Web: The National Attention Deficit Society at www.add.org

Article: "A Parent's Guide to ADHD", Timothy E. Wilens, MD, 1999
Book: "Taking Charge of ADHD" by: Russell A. Barkley PhD., 2000, Chapter : 21,
Pages 892-911.

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