Childhood ADHD is the abbreviated form for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and accounts for approximately 9% of the student population enrolled in U.S. schools. ADHD can have a serious impact on the family and the child if left untreated. Therefore, early identification and treatment are crucial for the child to be able to compete in an academic environment.
Parents will generally notice some signs of Childhood ADHD prior to the start of school, but once enrolled in school the characteristics of ADHD become more pronounced. There are three categories of ADHD to be considered. The child may be hyperactive and impulsive, or may be only inattentive, or the child may have a combination of concerns including hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattentiveness.
At school, common behaviors of ADHD children may be the inability to sit still; off task behavior, difficulty focusing on a task and completing the task. Some ADHD children have poor organizational skills, often forgetting to complete homework, or just forgetting to turn it in. ADHD children have a tendency to be disruptive in class, as well as nervous, anxious, and restless.
The causes of ADHD are varied. The general consensus of researchers is that ADHD is inherited by a family member. There appears to be substantial documentation that supports the fact that ADHD tends to run in families. Other causes are prenatal substance abuse, or exposure to toxins in the environment. Contrary to popular opinion, the ingestion of sugar does not cause ADHD.
Parents can offer their child the most help by seeking out the assistance of a Pediatrician to diagnose the problem.
Often the Pediatrician will request documentation of observable behaviors from the adults closest to the child such as the parents, caregivers, and teachers to support the diagnosis. The standard method of treatment once diagnosed is the administration of medication. Many ADHD children perform very well with medication and are able to function effectively in a school environment.