Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
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What is Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder?Is there any treatment?What is the prognosis?What research is being done?Organizations
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What is Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children.
It interferes with a person's ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive alone or both
cognitive and behavioral). Some of the warning signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions, inability to organize
oneself and school work, fidgeting with hands and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores and homework unfinished,
and having trouble paying attention to and responding to details. There are several types of ADHD: a predominantly inattentive
subtype, a predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtype, and a combined subtype. ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, although
the condition can continue into the adult years.
Is there any treatment?
The usual course of treatment may include medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine),
which are stimulants that decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity and increase attention. Most experts agree that treatment
for ADHD should address multiple aspects of the individual's functioning and should not be limited to the use of medications
alone. Treatment should include structured classroom management, parent education (to address discipline and limit-setting),
and tutoring and/or behavioral therapy for the child.
What is the prognosis?
There is no "cure" for ADHD. Children with the disorder seldom outgrow it; however, some may find adaptive ways to accommodate
the ADHD as they mature.
What research is being done?
Several components of the NIH support research on developmental disorders such as ADHD. Research programs of the NINDS, the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) seek
to address unanswered questions about the causes of ADHD, as well as to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Select this link
to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Organizations
CHADD - Children and Adults with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
8181 Professional Place
Suite 150
Landover,
MD
20785
http://www.chadd.org
Tel: 301-306-7070
800-233-4050
Fax: 301-306-7090
|
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
P.O. Box 543
Pottstown,
PA
19464
mail@add.org
http://www.add.org
Tel: 484-945-2101
Fax: 610-970-7520
|
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Suite 1
Pittsburgh,
PA
15234-1349
info@ldaamerica.org
http://www.ldaamerica.org
Tel: 412-341-1515
Fax: 412-344-0224
|
National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Avenue South
Suite 1401
New York,
NY
10016
http://www.ld.org
Tel: 212-545-7510
888-575-7373
Fax: 212-545-9665
|
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda,
MD
20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-615-NIMH (-6464)
301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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Last updated February 09, 2007
