Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (also referred to as ADHD) is a common emotional and behavioural difficulty problem. According to the HADD Ireland Website (2014), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a medical/neurobiological condition in which the brains neurotransmitter chemicals, noradrenalin and dopamine do not work properly. ADHD is a disorder that without the correct detection, treatment and management can have considerable and long lasting effects and consequences for an individual. It is a genetic and long term condition which results in different learning and behavioural issues. ADHD is typically described as being made up of 3 main behaviours which include; Predominantly hyperactive; impulsive, poorly self-monitored behaviour, symptoms include - fidgeting and squirming in seat, often talking excessively, and extremely restless. Predominantly inattentive; problems of attention, distractibility, short term memory and learning. Symptoms include - easily distracted and slow to complete different tasks. Children with this behaviour type are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They often sit quietly, however, they may not be paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, parents and teachers may fail to notice that the child has ADHD. Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. Symptoms of impulsiveness include -difficulty learning from consequences of their behaviour. Short fuses and often accident prone. This type is combined of hyperactive and inattentive. Most children with ADHD fall into this category of behaviours (National Institute of Mental Health Website 2014). ADHD can cause different problems for children, some of which include; forgetting thi... ... middle of paper ... ...Mental and Behavioural Disorders (World Health Organisation, 1992 cited in Dermot O'Reilly, 2005). These two systems were developing to their own accord until recently where an increase in the level of the interaction between them had resulted in the two converging their definitions. The Dimensions of Dysfunction Approach: The dimensions of dysfunction approach to the classification of child conduct problems identifies the degree to which a child's behaviour varies from that of a normative comparison group. This approach is characterised by the use of behavioural checklists. As stated by O'Reilly (2005), a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder requires the presence of a pattern of behaviour which is repetitive and persistent and which involves the violation either of the rights of other or of social rules, as well as impaired social, academic or occupational functioning.
The hallmark of Conduct Disorder (CD) is an obvious and careless apathy for the rules, the rights, the emotions, and the personal territory of others. Aggression, deceitfulness, duress, and power over others are enjoyable to a child with CD. Children with CD pick fights, trespass, lie, cheat, steal, vandalize, display abusive behaviors, and, for older children, perpetrate unwanted sexual advances. The display of signs in younger children can be: ruthless bullying, lying for the purpose of lying, and stealing of useless things.
The behavioral dimension goes hand in hand with pragmatism. It asks how is it possible to get a child to do something effectively. So its main focus is on what the person says or thinks not what he says about what he can do or think. Which requires precise measurement. Another important question in the behavioral dimension is to ask not just was the behavior changed but whose behavior was changed. The test- retest, and the inter- rater reliability techniques are of major importance for considering the presence of this dimension.
Tan, C.S. (2007). Test Review Behavior assessment system for children (2nd ed.). Assessment for Effective Intervention, 32, 121-124.
ADHD presents itself in three major categories: predominately hyperactive, predominately inattentive, or a combination of hyperactivity and inattention. Predominately hyperactive, presenting as excessive physical activity and impulsive behaviors. This can include constant fidgeting, an inability to stay in their seat, an inability to play quietly, interrupting, or difficulty waiting for their turn.... ... middle of paper ... ...
According to the DSM-IV, if a child's problem behaviors do not meet the criteria for Conduct Disorder, but involve a pattern of defiant, angry, antagonistic, hostile, irritable, or vindictive behavior, Oppositional Defiant Disorder may be diagnosed. These children may blame others for their problems.
ADHD, or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. There are many symptoms associated with ADHD but the most common include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. Scientists are not exactly sure of what causes ADHD but they are more comfortable with the idea that a lot of different factors play a role in its development, such as, genes, environment, brain injuries, sugar, and food additives. The most widely used treatment is the drugs but this is not the only way to treat ADHD.
"There are three broad sets of symptoms associated with ADHD: inattention and distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity;" however, it is not necessary to have symptoms from all three of these areas to be diagnosed with ADHD (University of Illinois, n.d.). The hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms are more prevalent in males and are more severe earlier in their childhood. Many children with ADHD also experience secondary problems, which can include academic problems and problems with their peers (University of Illinois, n.d.).
What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD) is mostly an organic problem, which tends to run in families. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder in childhood. An estimated 3 to 5 percent of the general population suffers from the disorder, which is characterized by agitated behavior and an inability to focus on tasks.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is very commonly known. Today, ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders among children. The NIMH (The national institute of mental health) predicts that it affecting 3 to 5 percent of all children(AACAP), with an approximate amount of 30% to 65% of these children experiencing persistence of symptoms into adolescence and adulthood (AACAP).There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Combination Type(ehow.com). The symptoms of ADHD can be classified into three main categories; hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. These behaviors can interfere with ADHD sufferers’ ability to focus deliberately on organizing and completing a specific task that they may not enjoy. A case of this kind of behavior is recognized in a report written by the National Institute of Mental Health where one of the subjects under study was unable to pass schooling examinations due to her inattentive behavior (clinicaltrials.gov) These kinds of behaviors can damage the person's relationships with others in addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem, depending on severity of their symptoms (adhd.com). In this paper, the multiple factors of how ADHD affects, and is handled, of those who undergo this disorder, are shown.
The American heritage Dictionary defines Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as, “an attention deficit disorder in which hyperactivity is present.” Attention Deficit Disorder is defined as, “A syndrome, usually diagnosed in childhood, characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness, a short attention span, and often hyperactivity, and interfering especially with academic, occupational, and social performance.” ADHD is most often diagnosed during childhood and was formerly believed to have lessened and ended as the child matured but recent studies have found that between 35 and 50 % of all cases persist into adulthood.
Childhood Disruptive Behaviors Early Childhood Children at this stage (aged 4 to 8) understand the world by perceiving it, being influenced by it, and acting on it. In turn, the surrounding world shapes the child. This demonstrates the role of nurture within the child’s environment, as well as its role in developing behavior patterns. Longitudinal studies have demonstrated that behavior patterns and personality are established during the early formative years. Research suggests that, when children come from unhealthy backgrounds, such as dysfunctional, abusive homes, they are much less likely to develop adequately physically, academically, and emotionally.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), once called hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction, is one of the most common mental disorders among children. (Elia, Ambrosini, Rapoport, 1999) It affects 3 to 5 percent of all children, with approximately 60% to 80% of these children experiencing persistence of symptoms into adolescence and adulthood, causing a lifetime of frustrated dreams and emotional pain. There are two types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an inattentive type and a combined type. The symptoms of ADHD can be classified into three categories: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This behaviour stops ADHD sufferers from focussing deliberately on organising and completing a specific task that they may not enjoy, learning new skills or information is proved to be impossible. An example of such behaviour is recognised by the report written by the National Institute of Mental Health where one of the subjects under study was unable to pass schooling examinations due to her inattentive behaviour. Such behaviour can damage the person's relationships with others in addition to disrupting their daily life, consuming energy, and diminishing self-esteem. (National Institute of Mental Health 1999) There are also secondary symptoms which are associated with ADHD, such as learning disorders, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, tic disorders, and conduct disorders. (Spencer, Biederman, and Wilens 1999 in Monastra V, Monastra D, George, 2002)
Conduct Disorder has been a part of the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manuel (DSM) since its original release date in 1994. Although, there is new information about the disorder that was previously unknown, Conduct Disorder is distinguished by a “repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms or rules are violated” (American Psychiatric Association, 1994.) This mild, moderate, or severe antisocial behavior begins to appear either in childhood, categorized as early-onset conduct disorder , or in adolescence after ten years of age, classified as adolescent-onset conduct disorder (Passamonti et al., 2010.) The criteria to meet to be diagnosed with this disorder are separated into four subgroups: aggressive conduct, nonaggressive conduct, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations of the rules. Three or more incidents must be present in the past twelve months with at least one of the characteristics being present in the past six months. This disorder causes severe impairment of functioning across a variety of situations so it is important to keep in mind society and individual situations because this diagnosis may be “misapplied to individuals in settings where patterns of undesirable behavior are sometimes viewed as protective” (American Psychiatric Association, 1994.) For example, a patient that has recently relocated from a war torn country would most likely not be a candidate for Conduct disorder even though he or she may exhibit some of the characteristics.
On the other hand, older children may lie, or engage in violent behavior, and be diagnosed with conduct disorder. Factors that contribute to an individual child’s antisocial behavior vary, but frequently the...
WHO. 1993. The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Diagnostic criteria for research. In: WHO (ed.). Geneva: World Health Organisation.