Science Fact - Pay Attention!

Elementary school was such a blast. You learn how to count and do basic math functions. You get to read fun children's books with great illustrations like the books by Robert Munsch. And you can do crafts for 3 hours a day and make cool stuff like turkeys out of a hand tracing.

I also remember that there were a few kids in my class who didn't seem to care about making crafts or learning about subtraction. They would be looking off into space, running around the room, and trying to get attention whenever they were bored (which was a lot). There was one kid who was known to jump up on his desk, pull down his pants, and pretend to play his twig & berries like a guitar. These (sometimes disturbing) images are my conception of ADHD.


ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a very common disorder that affects between 5-10% of kids. You see ADHD in more boys than girls (4:1 ratio), though it may not be identified as often in girls. It's characterized by 3 major symptoms:

1. Inattention


2. Hyperactivity


3. Impulsivity

There are different subtypes of ADHD, namely the inattentive type and the hyperactive/impulsive type. If you have a combination of the two types and show all 3 symptoms, then you would have the mixed type. This is the most common kind of ADHD.

You may say "Wait a minute, Hanni. Aren't most kids hyperactive? Why aren't more than 5-10% diagnosed with this disorder? And if most kids are hyper, then is ADHD a true disorder?" Very good questions, dear reader!! Well thought out. You're right that most kids are somewhat hyperactive. That's why the definition of ADHD required that there is functional impairment in more than one area in the kid's life. If kids are hyper and easily distracted, but aren't getting into excessive trouble at home and are keeping up in school, then it's not getting in the way of their functioning and therefore it's not a disorder like ADHD. If they only act out in class but not at home, they may have a learning disability instead of ADHD. Likewise, if they only act out at home there could be a lack of discipline or structure at home. Always remember that if the hyperactivity or inattention are not causing problems, then it's not a disorder.

Here are some common characteristics of ADHD to consider for each of the subtypes:

• Predominantly Inattentive Type
  
  
  Easily distracted
  
  
  Can't sustain attention on activities or conversations
  
  
  Makes careless mistakes
  
  
  Disorganized
  
  
  Loses things necessary for tasks or activities


• Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
  
  
  Fidgets and squirms in their seat, leaves seat often
  
  
  Talks excessively
  
  
  Runs and climbs excessively
  
  
  Interrupts others
  
  
  Difficulty awaiting their turn


• Combined Type
  
  
  Combination of the above 2 types
  
  
  *Most children with ADHD have this type

If you are concerned that your child has ADHD, you can complete a take-home survey that will help you figure out the likelihood of a diagnosis of ADHD. If the test shows reason for concern, then it may be good to bring them to the doctor to see if they can make a formal diagnosis.

If children with ADHD go untreated, they are likely to have problems with many aspects of their lives. They may have academic problems, health issues, multiple injuries from their impulsive behaviour, substance abuse, increased risky sexual behaviour, problems with the law, and low self-esteem. When looking at that long list, it's easy to get disheartened and overwhelmed.

Well, one of the major realms of treatment that has shown a lot of benefit is medication known as psychostimulants. The most famous of them all is Ritalin (methylphenidate), but there are others such as Adderall and Dexedrine that are used as well. These are stimulants, but surprisingly they are able to calm down kids with ADHD and allow them to focus much better. Another medication that is not a stimulant is called atomoxetine. It works well but is often used as a second option if the stimulants don't work.

Medications have been shown to be most effective in treating ADHD, but there are several non-medicinal treatments that can show similar benefits, and are great when used in combination with meds. Some of these methods include individual or family therapy, exercise routines and extracurricular activities, social skills training, and classroom tutors.

Treating ADHD with the above methods will reduce the chances of running into the problems commonly faced by these children. Some people worry about the addictive potential of giving your kids stimulants, but it's actually been shown that these meds reduce the risk of substance abuse by 85% compared to untreated ADHD!!

Now for the downsides of medication. The major side effects are a loss of appetite and insomnia. It's important to make sure that they eat breakfast every day, even if they are not that hungry, and that you don't give meds in the late afternoon or evening for fear of causing insomnia (problems with sleep). Other side effects are seen at the beginning of treatment but disappear after a couple of weeks, such as headaches and fluctuating moods.

So if you think your kid has ADHD (or if you think you may have it) the first thing to do is figure out whether or not they actually have it. Talk to your doctor and find out if there could be a formal diagnosis of ADHD. The next thing to do is consider all of the treatment options. Remember that if this is left untreated it can cause a lot of problems in their life, and that it's better to get professional treatment (medication, therapy, or support) than it is to self-medicate with cigarettes, alcohol, and harder drugs.




*BONUS! Here is an article that discusses whether it's right to treat kids with ADHD differently than others, namely by letting them skip line-ups at amusement parks because they have trouble waiting. Which side do you think is right?