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Tools for Parents of Children with Disabilities and Special Needs

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder  (ADHD) 

Contents:

What ADHD Looks Like:

Inattention/ Distractibility:

  • doesn't seem to listen
  • fails to finish assigned tasks
  • often loses things
  • can't concentrate
  • easily distracted
  • daydreams
  • requires frequent redirection
  • can be very quiet in classroom and missed

Impulsivity/Behavioral Disinhibition:

  • rushing into things
  • careless errors
  • risk taking
  • taking dares
  • accidents/injuries
  • impatience
  • interruptions

Hyperactivity/Overarousal

  • restlessness
  • "can't sit still"
  • talks excessively
  • fidgeting
  • "always on the go"
  • easy arousal
  • unnecessary bodily movement
 
Inattention
Impulsivity
Overactivity
 

 


Different Names for ADHD Through the years:

  • 1902 Defects in moral character
  • 1934 Organically driven
  • 1940 Minimal Brain Syndrome
  • 1957 Hyperkinetic Impulse Disorder
  • 1960 Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD)
  • 1968 Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood (DSM II)
  • 1980 Attention Deficit Disorder - ADD (DSM III)
    • - with hyperactivity
    • - without hyperactivity
    • - residual type
  • 1987 Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (DSM III-R)
    • - Undifferentiated Attention Deficit Disorder (DSM III-R)
  • 1994 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (DSM IV)
    • - 314.01: ADHD, Combined Type
    • - 314.00: ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive type
    • - 314.01: ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

 

Diminished Proficiency in Four Executive Functions Due to ADHD

1. Prolongation: Holding & evaluating events in working memory

2. Separation & regulation of affect: Splitting facts from feelings

3. Internalization of language: Reflection, self-control, will power

4. Reconstitution: Break events into parts and reassemble into new ideas

Purposes of the four executive functions:

  • Self-regulation
  • Organization of behaviors across time
  • Directing behavior toward the future
  • Maximization of future consequences
  • Increased control over the environment
  • Conforming the environment to self

Consequences of diminished proficiency in executive functions:

  • Deficient self-regulation of behavior, mood, response
  • Impaired ability to organize/plan behavior over time
  • Inability to direct behavior toward the future
  • Diminished social effectiveness and adaptability

 

 

How ADHD affects an Individual?

Input

Visual

Auditory

Tactile

 Output

Cognition

Emotion

Behavior

 

 

Rule outs for the Diagnosis of ADHD

Rule Out's Diagnosis Evaluation by use of:
1. Gifted 1. IQ Test
2. Learning Disability 2.Academic-Perceptual Processing Tests
3. Neurological Conditions:Seizures or Brain Lesion or Tourette's Syndrome 3. Pediatric Neurologist Evaluation: EEG, 24 hours EEG, MRI, CAT Scan
4. Behavioral or Emotional Problems 4. Psycho-Social History and Personality Testing


 

 

How to Evaluate for ADHD after the Rule Outs are done:

  • Parent Interview
  • Parent and School Behavioral Ratings
  • Consistent History of ADHD like Behaviors
  • Classroom Observations
  • Behavioral Observations in Testing/Interviewing
  • Relevant History:
    • Family member(s) has ADHD like problems
    • Pregnancy and birth history
    • Early Infancy and Developmental Milestones
    • Previous School and at Home History

 

Causes and Contributing Factors of ADHD

1. Genetics - there is a strong hereditary link with ADHD like symptoms

2. Fetal Development:

  • Premature babies have higher risk of ADHD like symptoms
  • Trauma/infection/complications in during pregnancy can result in child being at risk for ADHD like symptoms

3. Fetal Exposure to drugs and alcohol: many children who were exposed during pregnancy to drugs and/or alcohol have a greater risk for having ADHD like symptoms 4. Birth Factors which increase the risk of children having ADHD like symptoms are:

  • Prolonged or Induced Labor
  • Type of Delivery can have impact if sudden, or extremely long and slow delivery
  • Weight at birth if below five pounds a greater risk

5. Post Birth Factors:

  • Cranial bleed
  • Seizures
  • Concussion/coma

6. Abnormalities of Brain Structure

  • Frontal Lobe involvement

7. Lead Poisoning

8. Related Medical Conditions which look like ADHD

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Seizures
  • Mental Retardation/Autistic Spectrum/Tourettes Syndrome

 

 


Effective Treatment Model of ADHD in a Child

After a diagnosis has been made that a child has ADHD like symptoms then the behavioral team needs to insure that:

Encourage the Parent to be a Consistent Pathfinder Parenting Team

+ Home Modifications with logical and natural consequences

+ Creation of strong Parent-Teacher Team with home and school strong communications

+ 504 Plan with an Individual Education Plan for Classroom Modifications

+ Consistency of Parent - Teacher - Behavioral Team

+ Unconditional Love from all Adults in Child's World

+

Use of Medications as Last Resort

 

The ADHD Story a PowerPoint Presentation for Parents & Teachers

Click here for a website slide show called the ADHD Story this presentation was first given by Jim Messina to the PTA at Boyette Springs Elementary School, Riverview, Florida on August 19,2003.

If you would like to use this slide show with your PTA or Teacher Association Click here to download the original PowerPoint.

 

Coping.org is a Public Service of James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance M. Messina, Ph.D.,  Email: jjmess@tampabay.rr.com  ©1999-2007 James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance Messina, Ph.D.  Note: Original materials on this site may be reproduced for your personal, educational, or noncommercial use as long as you credit the authors and website.