ATTENTION-

DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER
 American Psychiatric Association ( 2000) defines
ADHD as a neurological condition that is often
characterized by excessive restlessness, inattention,
distraction, and impulsivity. Studies shows that genes
inherited from parents could be the primary contributor to
a child having a ADHD. Also research clearly show that
ADHD runs in families where 76 percent of children with
ADHD have a relative with the condition (Faraone &
Biederman (2000).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition
that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood.
ADHD is includes a combination of persistent problems, such as
difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
ADHD includes a combinations of persistent problems, such as
difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Studies shows that approximately 3 to 5% of children have an ADHD,
boys are three times s likely as girls to be affected and DHD touches
people of all ages including adults.
The primary symptoms of ADHD are focusing difficulties, hyperactivity
(excessive activity), and impulsivity (acting before considering the
consequences). The behavior must be excessive, appear before age 7,
and seriously handicap at least two areas in a person’s life like that in
home and school.
The three main categories of ADHD are Inattentive: difficulty focusing
or staying focused on a task or activity; Hyperactive-impulsive:
excessive activity and impulsivity; and Combined: focusing problems
plus excessive activity and impulsivity.
Causes of ADHD
Like all mental disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
results from a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors.
Since 30 to 40 percent of people diagnosed with ADHD have relatives
with the same disorder, genes are thought to be at least partially involved.
Although parents, teachers, spouses etc. Do not cause ADHD, they can
greatly affect the person’s ability to cope with their disorder.
Some of the most common characteristics of ADHD include:

Some of the most Common Characteristics of Other Conditions with characteristics similar to
ADHD (Willis, 2009) Attention Deficit Disorder (Hannell, 2006)

1. Inability to pay attention 1. Giftedness

2. Hyperactivity 2. Normal Development Stage

3. Impulsive 3. Emotional-Behavioral Disorder

4. Epilepsy