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Facts & Tips
•ADHD used to be called ADD, but the name was changed in 1994 to include hyperactivity. Some forms without hyperactivity are still referred to as ADD.
•Although believed to begin in childhood, ADHD may not be diagnosed until the teen years or even adulthood.
•People with ADHD have differences in the parts of the brain controlling attention, activity and self-control, resulting in lack of control, inattention and impulsiveness.
•Research shows that ADHD may be hereditary.
•Ways that ADHD may manifest: Difficulty focusing on and completing tasks. Jumps from one activity to another constantly. Is easily distracted, even when having fun. Consistently forgets or makes careless mistakes. Blurts out answers, cannot seem to wait their turn and interrupts others frequently. Has trouble sitting quietly, fidgets and squirms excessively and always seems to have to be talking or fiddling.
•ADHD has many opponents as to how it is diagnosed, who is qualified to diagnose and whether there is such a thing as ADHD, as the signs of ADHD are typical of any child at some point.
•Drivers with ADHD are prone to more accidents, according to the insurance industry.
•Symptoms can subside or become less severe as the individual ages.
•ADHD has been associated with premature births.
•ADHA is diagnosed in males more frequently than females.
•People with lower natural counts of the neurotransmitter dopamine often show symptoms of ADHD.
•There is no definite course of treatment for ADHD. Parents, teachers and others involved in the individuals life must work together to direct the environment.
•Doctors usually prescribe various medications, often considered controversial by opponents. Modern medications may only be needed to take once each morning, compared to several times a day in the past.
•There is a correlation of greater risk of smoking or drug abuse with ADHD.
•Other issues that may also need to be addressed are depression and dyslexia.
•Studies show that regular exercise can help people with ADHD maintain focus and control.
•Smoking and/or drinking during pregnancy may be a precursor to ADHD according to a number of studies.
•Higher levels of lead in younger children have been associated with ADHD.
•Sugar hyperactivity has been ruled out by medical studies as a cause of ADHD. In the studies the children, parents and even staff had no idea whether the participant received sugar or a sugar substitute. There were no significant differences.
•25% of people diagnosed with ADHD have a close relative diagnosed with ADHD, suggesting genetics.
•Approximately 30% of children diagnosed with ADHD are also diagnosed with a learning disability.
•Up to ½ of all ADHD diagnosed children, mainly boys, are also diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and refuse to obey or listen to adults, are argumentative, stubborn and temper outbursts.
•About 30% of ADHD diagnosed children develop antisocial behavior with lying, stealing, bullying, vandalism, destructive behavior and aggressive toward people and animals as part of their normal behavior.
•In a variety of studies testing the results of intense behavioral therapy, medications only, a combination of both and community care, it was shown that medication and medication combined with behavioral therapy produced the best results by far, indicating medication is the superior treatment.
•Common side effects of medication are decreased appetite, insomnia, increased anxiety and irritability. Some children report mild stomach aches or headaches. But doctors report all of these side effects as minor.
•About 80% of medicated children still receive medication as teens, and 50% as adults.
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