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Submitted on the 2010/09/17 08:28:29
By: Unity
Location : South Africa
Friendship Ranking : Friendship God
Member Score : 700+
Total count : 6502
Joined : 2009/03/06 19:07:32
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#1
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Although ADHD begins in childhood, sometimes it's not diagnosed until a person is a teen — and occasionally not even until someone reaches adulthood.
Because ADHD is a broad category covering different things — attention, activity, and impulsivity — it can show up in different ways in different people.
Some of the signs of ADHD are when someone:
•has difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
•has problems finishing assignments at school or home and jumps from one activity to another
•has trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
•loses or forgets things such as homework
•is easily distracted, even when doing something fun
•has problems paying close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
•has trouble organizing tasks and activities
•has difficulty waiting one's turn
•interrupts or intrudes on other people
•blurts out answers before questions have been completed
•fidgets with hands or feet or squirms about when seated
•feels restless
•talks excessively and has trouble engaging in activities quietly
Of course, it's normal for everyone to zone out in a boring class, jump into a conversation, or leave their homework on the kitchen table once in a while. But people with ADHD have so much trouble staying focused and controlling their behavior that it affects their emotions and how well they do in school or other areas of their lives. In fact, ADHD is often viewed as a learning disorder because it can interfere so much with a person's ability to study and learn.
Sometimes the symptoms of ADHD become less severe as a person grows older. For example, experts believe that the hyperactivity part of the disorder can diminish with age, although the problems with organization and attention often remain. Although some people may "grow out of" their symptoms, more than half of all kids who have ADHD will continue to show signs of the condition as young adults.
(can't remember where I got this article from, but had to share it)
Temper gets you into trouble; pride keeps you there.
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Submitted on the 2011/07/08 09:39:15
By: Unity
Location : South Africa
Friendship Ranking : Friendship God
Member Score : 700+
Total count : 6502
Joined : 2009/03/06 19:07:32
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#2
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Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention deficit disorder–also known as ADHD or ADD–is not merely a problem with paying attention. ADHD makes it difficult to manage the multiple tasks of daily life, especially complex tasks that require organization, planning, and sustained focus.
ADHD is challenging, but once you understand the problem and how it affects your life, you can learn to compensate for areas of weakness and take advantage of your many strengths and talents.
Temper gets you into trouble; pride keeps you there.
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Submitted on the 2011/07/08 09:40:13
By: Unity
Location : South Africa
Friendship Ranking : Friendship God
Member Score : 700+
Total count : 6502
Joined : 2009/03/06 19:07:32
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#3
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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER IN KIDS
It’s normal for children to occasionally forget their homework, daydream during class, act without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner table. But inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD).
ADD/ADHD can lead to problems at home and school, and affect your child’s ability to learn and get along with others. It’s important for you to be able to spot the signs and symptoms, and get help if you see them in your child.
Temper gets you into trouble; pride keeps you there.
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Submitted on the 2011/07/08 09:41:32
By: Unity
Location : South Africa
Friendship Ranking : Friendship God
Member Score : 700+
Total count : 6502
Joined : 2009/03/06 19:07:32
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#4
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Inattentive signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD
It isn’t that children with ADD/ADHD can’t pay attention: When they’re doing things they enjoy or hearing about topics in which they’re interested, they have no trouble focusing and staying on task. But when the task is repetitive or boring, they quickly tune out.
Staying on track is another common problem. Children with ADD/ADHD often bounce from task to task without completing any of them, or skip necessary steps in procedures. Organizing their schoolwork and their time is harder for them than it is for most children.
Kids with ADD/ADHD also have trouble concentrating if there are things going on around them; they usually need a calm, quiet environment in order to stay focused.
Symptoms of inattention in children:
* Doesn’t pay attention to details
* Makes careless mistakes
* Has trouble staying focused; is easily distracted
* Appears not to listen when spoken to
* Has difficulty remembering things and following instructions
* Has trouble staying organized, planning ahead, and finishing projects
* Gets bored with a task before it’s completed
* Frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or other items
Temper gets you into trouble; pride keeps you there.
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Submitted on the 2012/03/20 08:35:10
By: Firechild
Location : South Africa
Friendship Ranking : Friendship God
Member Score : 700+
Total count : 4969
Joined : 2009/03/08 14:38:05
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#5
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Many studies support the importance of keeping a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on medication year round as the best way to manage their symptoms. However, there are many questions as to what kind of medicine is best (once a day vs. two to three times daily) and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Why Medication Holidays?
There may be some instances when a medication or "med" holiday would be appropriate. However, a qualified physician, not the parent alone, should only decide these instances. "If the child experiences significant side effects from the medication then a holiday may be needed," says Brian S. Smithley, MEd, a licensed psychologist at Sewickley Valley Hospital's Staunton Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pa. "For instance, when appetite suppression or sleep difficulties occur, a medication holiday may be used to provide an opportunity for the child to recover from the side effects. In addition, medicine holidays may be used to re-determine the current need for medication. But because the medication is a prescribed substance, medication holidays need to occur under the direction of the prescribing physician."
When medication holidays are necessary, parents need to be extremely diligent in utilizing behavioral interventions that can provide a structure and daily routing to minimize the severity of ADHD symptoms. Therapy and counseling can help the child and their parent(s) to develop an effective structure and daily routine.
When to Take a Med Holiday
As far as determining when a child would or should take a vacation from daily ADHD medications, it depends upon the purpose of the holiday. "Med holidays are done for different reasons," says Smithley. "For the significant side effects – or ones that affect a day-to-day event or need, such as appetite, sleeping, etc. – a medication holiday generally occurs on weekends. Summertime medication vacations can be useful in determining if the child has a continued need for the medication. A return of the child's ADHD symptoms would suggest their continued need for the medication and signal the need to restart the medication promptly."
You! Off my planet!
Post last Edited by Firechild on 2012/03/20 08:37:29
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