| Attention Deficit Disorder Week is from October 14-20, 2012. | |
| What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? | |
| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which a person has trouble paying attention and focusing on tasks, tends to act without thinking, and has trouble sitting still. It may begin in early childhood and can continue into adulthood. ADHD can cause problems at home, school, work, and with relationships. | |
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| The American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry considers it necessary that the following be present before attaching the label of ADHD to a child: | |
| -The behaviours must appear before age 7. -They must continue for at least six months. -The symptoms must also create a real handicap in at least two of the following areas of the child’s life: |
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| Did you know? | |
| According to recent statistics, ADHD is diagnosed in approximately 2-16% of school aged children. | |
| Academic Problems and Learning Disabilities | |
| 25% to 30% of ADHD children have a learning disability. Despite normal or even superior intelligence, the ADHD child is often a chronic underachiever. By adolescence up to one-third of ADHD children have failed at least one grade in school. | |
| What Causes ADHD? | |
| Scientists are not sure what causes ADHD, although many studies suggest that genes play a large role. Like many other conditions, ADHD probably results from a combination of factors. In addition to genetics, researchers are looking at possible environmental factors, and are studying how brain injuries, nutrition, and the social environment might contribute to ADHD. | |
| How is ADHD treated? | |
| Currently available treatments focus on reducing the symptoms of ADHD and improving functioning. Treatments include medication, various types of psychotherapy, education or training, or a combination of treatments. | |
| How does ADHD affect adults? | |
| Many adults don't realize that they have
ADHD until their children are diagnosed. Then they begin to notice their
own symptoms. Adults with ADHD may find it hard to focus, organize, and
finish tasks. They often forget things. But they also often are very creative
and curious. They love to ask questions and keep learning. Some adults
with ADHD learn to manage their lives and find careers that let them use
those strengths. But many adults have trouble at home and work. As a group, adults with ADHD have higher divorce rates. They also are more likely to smoke and have more substance abuse problems than adults without ADHD. Fewer adults with ADHD enter college, and fewer graduate. Treatment with medicine, counseling, and behavior therapy can help adults with ADHD. |
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| Useful websites | |
| MONTREAL: The Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association of Montreal http://www3.sympatico.ca/webgator/home.html McGill University Health Centre SUPPORT GROUPS: QUESTIONS: ORGANIZATIONS: National Institute of Mental Health Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance MEDLINE PLUS results |
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| Community Support | |
Learning Disabilities Association of Quebec
and the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex Support Group |
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| Selections from the library | |
| For more books click HERE for the PDF version. | |
| Adults | |
"Honey,
Are You Listening?" |
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| Treatment | |
The ADD Nutrition
Solution: a Drug-Free Thirty-Day Plan
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| Parenting | |
 Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, and More! by Martin L. Kutscher |
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