Attention+Deficit+Disorder

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER



**WIKI Page Overview:** The purpose of this page is to inform parents, teachers and students about the symptoms of ADHD and how students can be successful at school and in life, despite an ADHD diagnosis. This page also provides links to websites, articles, books, blogs, and videos that provide helpful strategies for how to support children with ADHD. **Definition:** Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a medical condition of the brain. It affects the way thoughts are processed and organized, as well as affecting impulse control.

** Q: What is the difference between ADD and ADHD? **

** A: ** ADD, or attention-deficit disorder, is an out-of-date term that was previously used to describe children who have difficulty paying attention, but are not significantly impulsive or hyperactive—the other two parts of the triad of symptoms that define what we now call ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Most of the time when people use the term ADD now, what they really mean is the inattentive subtype of ADHD. One way to conceptualize it is to think of ADHD as three scales, one for inattention, one for hyperactivity, and one for impulsivity. If children are rated from 1 to 10 on each scale, there can be a child who will be 10-0-0. There can also be a child who is 0-10-10. But most children will be some variation more like 5-7-8. The important thing is that a child who has a real deficit in paying attention, without the other symptoms that tend to result in disruptive or problematic behavior, he still needs to be understood and get help. By about the second grade it starts to be a real problem for children if they can't start paying attention, and keep paying attention to a teacher in a classroom where there is competing activity in the room. And, by the way, when we say a deficit in paying attention what we mean is paying attention to dull, boring or repetitive tasks not of your choosing. Anyone with a child who has ADHD can tell you that they have no trouble paying attention to video games or a movie. (This information from [|Steven Kurtz, PhD, ABPP], Senior Director, ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Center; Director, Selective Mutism Program [|ADHD v ADD])

**ADHD Symptoms:** **Inattention ** The main symptom of ADHD is the inability to pay attention. Kids may have trouble listening to a speaker, following directions, finishing tasks, or keeping track of personal items. They may daydream often and make careless mistakes. Children with ADHD tend to avoid activities that require sustained concentration or that might be boring. **Hyperactivity ** Another component of ADHD is the inability to sit still. Children may run and climb on things constantly, even when indoors. When they are seated, they tend to squirm, fidget, or bounce. Some kids with ADHD talk excessively and find it difficult to play quietly. **Impulsiveness ** Cutting in line, interrupting others, or blurting out answers before the teacher finishes a question. This aspect of ADHD makes it difficult for children to wait their turn or think before they act. (Retrieved from [], November, 6, 2011).

**//Not a Group of ONE- Look who else has/had ADHD://**

 FACT: <span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #c3322e; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Lots of successful people have ADHD, including James Carville, political consultant and Campaign Chair for Bill Clinton, David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue, Ned Hallowell, MD, author of //<span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #4a4f4f; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Driven to Distraction //, Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinkos, Patricia Quinn, MD, author of //<span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #4a4f4f; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Understanding Girls with ADHD //and the founder of ADHD Aware, Natalie Knochenhauer, JD. (taken from myth page of ADHD Aware)

FACT: Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in the history of the Olympics. He has, overall, won 16 Olympic medals—six gold and two bronze at Athens in 2004, and eight gold at Beijing in 2008. When Michael was in the sixth grade, he was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation, which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles. (taken from ADHD Aware site myth page)

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,Jamrul,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">** <<Sir **** R **** ichard Branson ** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,Jamrul,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Virgin Founder and adventurer Sir Richard Branson has ADHD -- but that hasn't stopped him from owning a major airline, sending tourists into space, or building an underwater plane. Branson is living proof of the statistic reported in // Psychology Today // that, "People with ADHD are 300% more likely to start their own company." -- indeed; he started up his own magazine called // Student // when he was just 16. ([|Sir Richard Branson])

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,Jamrul,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">** <<Terry Bradshaw ** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,Jamrul,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Former NFL quarterback (he won the Pittsburgh Steelers four Super Bowl titles) was diagnosed with depression after he admitted he often had anxiety attacks before games. He also reported he has ADHD, and struggled even as a child. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,Jamrul,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Bradshaw now frequently speaks out against the stigmas of mental disorders, hoping he can help others -- particularly, he said in an interview on FireChief.com, the "big old macho guys"-- get help.([|Terry Bradshaw])

<span style="color: #ff0061; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: left;">** Articles: ** [|Screen Fixation and ADHD] This article discusses the misconception that students with ADHD can't fixate on anything long term and also the possible causal link to having too much screen time with the onset of ADHD. Kids with ADHD May Learn Better By Fidgeting This article presents the argument that students with ADHD function better when allowed to fidget. The author writes about a study by researcher Mark Rapport. This researcher discovered that students who have ADHD move because it helps them to process information better. ADHD in Children with Comorbid Condition This article addresses the issue of children who have ADHD along with a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. (NOTE: To read the full length of the article, a free membership to the website is required.)

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px;">**Websites:** National Resource Center for ADHD This site provides scientifically based information about ADHD. 4ADHD Resources for Parents This site provides an enormous amount of information and resources for parents about ADHD. This site included links to organizations, articles and blogs focused on ADHD. PBS - This Emotional Life: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderPBS has a series called "This Emotional Life". It focuses on various mental health issues. This particular episode dealt with ADHD. The website contains a wealth of information, including symptoms and ways to help yourself and other people in your life. ADD/ADHD and School: Helping Students with ADHD Succeed at School The page on this site offers various ways for parents and teachers to help students with ADHD succeed in school. This page also offers links to other websites that are related to ADHD and school. Child Mind Institute This organization provides information, support, and advice for children, parents, teachers, clinicians and anyone interested learning more about those conditions that affect children, especially medical conditions that affect or are affected by brain development. The Learning Toolbox This site has some very useful strategy information. There are nmenonics to help students with organization and other learning topics like when to use commas. There are even examples of planners that can be printed and used for organization. National Institute of Mental Health This website offers up-to-date information about ADHD and other disorders. Here is a link to a [|ADHD pamphlet] from the NIMH. ADHD Aware This is a site run by and for people with ADHD. There is all information about support groups and clubs for boys and girls with ADHD.

**Blogs:** This blog is presented by a team and features research, interviews, and resources for information on the connection between music and ADHD. ADHD Momma Blog This blog was created and is edited by a mom whose child has ADHD. There are resources and general information of the triumphs and trials of daily life with children with ADHD. Dr. Kenny Handelman's Blog Dr. Handelman is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist outside Toronto, Canada. The blog provides medical and parenting information. 4ADHD blog This blog is listed on the 4ADHD organization's website. It has tips for parents and information on medical issues.
 * Music Therapy and ADHD**

**Books:** John F. Taylor, PhD. authored a book designed for elementary school age children who have ADD or ADHD. It provides kids and parents with practical guides for managing their condition. Driven to Distraction Drs. Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey's book about recogninzing and dealing with ADHD. The authors ask if calling it an attention inconsistency is a more appropriate descriptor than a deficit. ADHD Aware Bookstore The ADHD Aware site has a listing of several books that are useful for different aspects of ADHD.
 * The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD**

<span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">**Videos:** How Does It Feel to Have ADHD: A Kid's Perspective media type="youtube" key="Vf-Njv3Hw74" height="346" width="476" align="center"

This video features a child with ADHD being interviewed on his experiences. It gives viewers an idea of how the boy feels about the way people perceive him.

Adam Jeffrey Katz Lecture Series These videos are clips from the Adam Jeffrey Katz Lecture series May 17, 2011 that was sponsored by Child Mind Institute. For more information and a summary of the panel discussion click here.

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This clip is a brief overview of each guest lecturers discussions during the Panel Discussion: Breakthroughs in ADHD.The following clips are excerpts from the panel discussion.

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