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ADHD Aide
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Attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric
disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children.
ADHD interferes with a person's ability to stay on task and
to exercise age-appropriate behavior. ADHD is usually
diagnosed during childhood, although the condition can
continue into the adult years.
Children with ADHD can't stay focused, can't sit still, act
without thinking, and rarely finish any task. The disorder,
if left untreated, can have long-term affects on a child's
ability to make friends or succeed in school or at a job.
Over time, many children with ADHD develop signs of
depression, poor self-esteem, and other emotional problems.
Although no single specific factor has been found to cause
ADHD, brain imaging research has shown a difference between
the brains of children with and without ADHD. In addition,
there appears to be a link between a person's ability to pay
attention and the brain's usage of glucose--the body's major
fuel. Research also shows that
ADHD
tends to run in families, so there are likely to be genetic
influences involved.
While there is as yet no "cure" for ADHD, there are
treatment medications (Ritalin and Dexedrine) that are
effective in controlling impulsivity and increasing
attention span. Treatment should also include structured
classroom management, parental education and
tutoring/behavioral therapy for the child.
Please use this website to locate thousands of resources and
countless advice articles and tips for dealing with a person
affected by ADHD.
This site can also be used to track the latest research
findings and discover the best organizations, associations,
and health care providers when dealing with ADHD. |
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