ADHD Symposium
Psychology Club Brings Awareness To Disorder
Emiley Mallory
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
ADHD may last through adolescence and adulthood, like it did for Angelone, but it mainly affects children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that between three and five percent of children or approximately two million children in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. ADHD was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845. He was a physician who wrote books in medicine and psychiatry. He was also a poet who became interested in writing for children when he couldn't find suitable materials to read to his 3-year old son. A picture book full of poems about children resulted in "The Story of Fidgety Philip" that accurately depicted a little boy who had ADHD. It wasn't until 1902 that Sir George F. Still published a series of lectures about a study group of children with behavioral issues, that ADHD recognized.
Like Dr. Hoffman, Stacey Angelone noticed a change in her child's behavior at the age of 3 but didn't recognize it was ADHD until he was 5. "He was having behavioral issues in daycare but he's very advanced for his age so we typically just thought maybe he was not getting enough stimulation at 3 years old," says Angelone. Her story is like a lot of scenarios where the condition becomes apparent in some children in preschool and during the early school years. ADHD's exact cause is unknown, but many researchers believe it's related to a number of factors; a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, linked with other physical causes (i.e. brain damage) or a child's environment. Even food additives and sugar is linked to ADHD, which Angelone monitors with her son and the rest family. According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV- TR) there are 3 patterns of behavior that indicate ADHD: being consistently inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive or all three types of behavior.
ADHD affects not only the child but everyone involved. Learning about ADHD can make a difference for everyone involved, especially if an early diagnosis and treatment is sought out. The child would require help meeting the daily challenges that ADHD brings. Therefore, the family and friends would need to understand the condition so they can help the child. Since children with ADHD still attend school, the symposium exposed the audience to how teachers and other school personnel must also learn to help the child succeed. Dr. Gill, who was also a panelist and is a licensed mental health professional, put it this way , "Children, parents, teachers and others who are concerned for the welfare of children in various settings need information on the problem it causes a child, their family, their classmates, and etc on a daily basis." It's key that parents and teachers work together to create a system. Teachers can have a positive affect on children with ADHD. It's very possible for teachers to become frustrated because it's time consuming to accommodate the child's needs. Being understaffed and over worked can lead to teachers putting negative labels on children. This leaves room for a misdiagnosis, low self esteem and slower development. Teacher's can help by getting involved with the treatment through the classroom. Introducing the child to a structured environment, reducing his or her work and monitoring their progress is encouraged. The most important aspect is to be positive at all times by praising appropriate behavior and good work ethics.
Like Dr. Hoffman, Stacey Angelone noticed a change in her child's behavior at the age of 3 but didn't recognize it was ADHD until he was 5. "He was having behavioral issues in daycare but he's very advanced for his age so we typically just thought maybe he was not getting enough stimulation at 3 years old," says Angelone. Her story is like a lot of scenarios where the condition becomes apparent in some children in preschool and during the early school years. ADHD's exact cause is unknown, but many researchers believe it's related to a number of factors; a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, linked with other physical causes (i.e. brain damage) or a child's environment. Even food additives and sugar is linked to ADHD, which Angelone monitors with her son and the rest family. According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV- TR) there are 3 patterns of behavior that indicate ADHD: being consistently inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive or all three types of behavior.
ADHD affects not only the child but everyone involved. Learning about ADHD can make a difference for everyone involved, especially if an early diagnosis and treatment is sought out. The child would require help meeting the daily challenges that ADHD brings. Therefore, the family and friends would need to understand the condition so they can help the child. Since children with ADHD still attend school, the symposium exposed the audience to how teachers and other school personnel must also learn to help the child succeed. Dr. Gill, who was also a panelist and is a licensed mental health professional, put it this way , "Children, parents, teachers and others who are concerned for the welfare of children in various settings need information on the problem it causes a child, their family, their classmates, and etc on a daily basis." It's key that parents and teachers work together to create a system. Teachers can have a positive affect on children with ADHD. It's very possible for teachers to become frustrated because it's time consuming to accommodate the child's needs. Being understaffed and over worked can lead to teachers putting negative labels on children. This leaves room for a misdiagnosis, low self esteem and slower development. Teacher's can help by getting involved with the treatment through the classroom. Introducing the child to a structured environment, reducing his or her work and monitoring their progress is encouraged. The most important aspect is to be positive at all times by praising appropriate behavior and good work ethics.
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