Understanding ADHD

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

ADHD symptoms usually arise in early childhood. Current diagnostic criteria indicate that the disorder is marked by behaviors that are long lasting and evident for at least six months, with onset before age seven. There are three primary subtypes, each associated with different symptoms.

ADHD - Primarily Inattentive Type:
• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
• Has difficulty sustaining attention.
• Does not appear to listen.
• Struggles to follow through on instructions.
• Has difficulty with organization.
• Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
• Is easily distracted.
• Is forgetful in daily activities.

ADHD - Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type:
• Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair.
• Has difficulty remaining seated.
• Runs around or climbs excessively.
• Has difficulty engaging in activities quietly.
• Acts as if driven by a motor.
• Talks excessively.
• Blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
• Has difficulty waiting or taking turns.
• Interrupts or intrudes upon others.

ADHD - Combined Type:
• Meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria.

Because everyone shows signs of these behaviors at one time or another, the guidelines for determining whether a person has ADHD are very specific. In children, the symptoms must be more frequent or severe than in other children of the same age. In adults, the symptoms must be present since childhood and affect one’s ability to function in daily life. These behaviors must create significant difficulty in at least two areas of life, such as home, social settings, school, or work.

What causes AD/HD?

Research has demonstrated that AD/HD has a very strong neurobiological basis. Although precise causes have not yet been identified, there is little question that heredity makes the largest contribution to the expression of the disorder in the population.

In instances where heredity does not seem to be a factor, difficulties during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco, premature delivery, significantly low birth weight, excessively high body lead levels, and postnatal injury to the prefrontal regions of the brain have all been found to contribute to the risk for AD/HD to varying degrees.

Social Skills for Children with ADHD

For some children with ADHD, social interactions are problematic. The combination of impulsivity, immaturity, and difficulty reading the social cues of others can lead to difficult and painful peer relationships. Learning to get along with others is a challenge, whether at school, in sports, or with friends. But it doesn't have to be so hard. There are many things you can do to help your child develop a better set of social skills. 

Why Empathy Matters - Empathy is one of the most important characteristics of a successful adult. Being empathic means being able to place oneself inside the shoes of another person and to see the world through that person’s eyes. For many people affected by ADHD, it is very difficult to take another person's perspective.

Raise Your Child's Social IQ - A mother is concerned about her eight-year-old daughter, Taylor. While Taylor usually makes a good first impression when she meets other children, it’s extremely hard for her to develop lasting friendships.

The Social-Emotional Landscape - Social skills are a perennial issue for families and adults affected by ADHD.

Learning How to Get Along - Many children with learning disabilities and/or ADHD remain isolated, teased, and confused about how to interact successfully with their peers.

Managing Social Skills All Day, Every Day - A new survey helps shed light on parents’ perceptions of the all-day, every-day impact ADHD has on all the various aspects of a child’s life.

ADHD and (Mis)Perception of the Truth, (Mis)Interpretation, and Other “Honest Lying” Behaviors - Many people affected by ADHD find it difficult to know what is real and what is not when they communicate with others. This applies not only to what those with ADHD say but to what others around them hear.

Peer Problems - Many children with ADHD are among the most rejected of their classmates.

The Race is On: A Cooperative Game for Reducing Sibling Agression - Teasing, arguing, and physical aggression are typical among most children, and especially between siblings, given the amount of time they spend together. One group of researchers found that parents must cope with an average of eight conflicts between siblings per hour. Children with ADHD, in particular, face challenges when dealing with peers, and may need extra help in developing social skills.

Teaching the Fourth R: Relationships - Children with ADHD often have significant difficulty establishing and maintaining peer relationships. Because of their impulsive, unpredictable, and often disruptive behavior, they can, sadly, be rather unappealing social partners.

Know the Tipping Points: Reducing Vulnerability to Antisocial Behavior in Youth with ADHD - What British police have learned about reducing the vulnerability to antisocial and criminal behavior in youth with ADHD. h

 

Treatment to Improve Social Skills

Psychosocial Treatment for Children and Adolescents with ADHD (WWK #7)  - Psychosocial treatment is a critical part of treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents.

Psychosocial Intervention for ADHD: How Well Does It Work? - Many children and adolescents with ADHD are treated with various psychosocial interventions, including individual "talk" therapy, play therapy, family therapy, sensory integration therapy, and a host of others. Yet only one form of psychosocial treatment has been established in empirical trials as clearly effective for this population: the broad class of behavioral therapies, including parent training, school consultation, and social skills training.

Social Skills Improvement with ADHD Medication - When determining the best treatment regime for ADHD, it is very important to question both the child or adolescent and the parents about how medication affects social interaction in addition to academic performance.

reference ;

http://www.adhd.com