Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder : Also known as ADD or ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADD or ADHD, is a diagnostic term used to describe children, who in the past, were diagnosed as having hyperactivity, hyperkinesis*, minimal brain dysfunction and a host of other diagnostic labels. It is considered to be a syndrome as it has as host of criteria for its’ definition. There are three specific areas that characterize ADHD:

1. Attention Span
2. Impulse Control
3. Hyperactivity (not in all diagnoses)

ADD or ADHD is not always a short attention span, but rather an increased sense of distractibility. ADD or ADHD students may possess a lengthy attention span for a preferred activity, but may not be able to attend to a written assignment without becoming distracted by an air conditioner vent, a flickering light or a bird chirping outside. They lack the ability to block out extraneous and irrelevant stimuli. Instead of attending to one specific task, they instead pay attention to everything in their environment.
*increased muscular function or activity

Diagnosing ADHD
There are three forms of ADHD: inattentiveness, hyperactivity-impulsivity and combined type. According to the DSM-IV, 4th edition, a child must display six or more symptoms and they must have persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with the child’s developmental level. Many symptoms manifest themselves before age seven. Some of the impairments should be present in at least two settings (e.g., school, church, home, dance classes, etc.) Because a key word in the diagnostic protocol is maladaptive, there must be clear clinical evidence of a significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning. Finally, environmental and social issues must be ruled out in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

The diagnosis must be made by a medical professional, but the use of a multi-disciplinary approach is needed as parents, teachers and other support professionals are needed for observations and rating scale information. Unfortunately, there is not a single diagnostic instrument available; therefore, a battery of test must be conducted.