Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders in kids. Those with ADHD have difficulty paying attention, are often easily distracted and may be impulsive or hyperactive.

ADHD occurs in an estimated 3% to 7% of children and tends to be more common in boys than girls. Although ADHD is a lifelong disorder for which there is no cure, symptoms are manageable and often improve with age.

Types of ADHD include:

• Inattentive: Children who are “daydreamers” and have difficulty staying on task
• Hyperactive: Children who are very physically active, restless, talkative and always “on the go”
• Combined: This is the most common type, including children who have both inattentive and hyperactive behaviors

Causes and Symptoms

There is no single definitive cause for ADHD. However, research shows that genetics plays an important role. Other factors thought to increase the risk for ADHD include:

• Prematurity
• Prenatal drug or alcohol exposure
• Brain injury or trauma
• Environmental exposures (such as lead)

Typically, though, a specific cause is never identified in most children diagnosed with ADHD.

Common symptoms of all ADHD types include:

• Difficulty paying attention
• Daydreaming
• Disorganized or forgetful
• Easily distracted
• Interrupts or talks excessively
• Rushes through or has trouble completing tasks
• Acts impulsively or without thinking
• Fidgets and squirms
• Restlessness
• Often loses things
• Noisy or disruptive behavior

Diagnosis

There is no actual medical testing that exists to diagnose ADHD. A diagnosis stems from careful observations of a child that are matched with certain behavioral and developmental criteria set forth specifically for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fifth Edition (DSM-V), a publication by the American Psychiatric Association.

Detailed questionnaires completed by parents and the child’s teachers are often the first step in the diagnosis process, along with a complete physical to rule out any medical problems. An evaluation with a neuropsychologist is also helpful to uncover any learning disabilities or other mental-health issues that may be contributing to your child’s attention struggles.

Treatment 

The most common and effective treatment for ADHD is stimulant medication. Stimulants work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain and are effective for about 70% to 80% of children with ADHD.

Nonstimulants, such as ADHD medications and triplicate prescriptions, are used when a child does not tolerate stimulants well or if parents prefer a nonstimulant approach.

In addition to medication, we may suggest a combination of the following:

• Academic accommodations at school or an individualized education program
• Behavioral or psychological therapy
• Nonprescription dietary supplements