Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most commonly diagnosed illness among children, affecting 2 to 5 percent of kids.(1) ADHD is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
ADHD is most often found in children, but many adults suffer from the illness and children often carry the symptoms into adulthood. Early detection and proper diagnosis are paramount to the child succeeding in both school and life.
ADHD is diagnosed if the client displays six or more of the following symptoms over an extended period of time while in multiple settings: inability to focus, fidgety, forgetful, easily distracted, talk excessively, interrupt others, erratic movements, impatience, restlessness or trouble following simple instructions.
The two most effective ways to treat ADHD are through medication and behavior modification. The most common medications used for ADHD patients are stimulants. While it may seem counterintuitive to use a stimulant for a hyperactive child, the clinically tested medications increase activity in parts of the brain that are inactive and causing the child to act out.
1. Prevalence of Diagnosed and Medicated Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a study by the Center for Disease Control, United States, 2003.
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