School is in session! Lesson 1: ADHD

By Gariane Phillips Gunter, M.D.



School has started back for another year! Soon, many parents will be receiving calls about their child’s “behavior” and the quest will begin to discover the cause. An article recently published in USA Today included reports of a study conducted at Michigan State University which stated that kids who are the youngest in their grades are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than the oldest children.



The intent of this blog entry is not to validate nor dispute this data but to offer facts about the diagnosis of ADHD regardless if your child is the oldest or youngest in their class. First and foremost, the diagnosis of ADHD should only be made by a trained professional after a thorough assessment of the child and collateral information.



The main features of ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and an inability to sustain attention or concentration. These symptoms occur at levels that cause significant distress and impairment and are far more severe than typically found in children of similar ages and developmental levels. More common in boys than in girls, this disorder often develops before age seven, but is usually diagnosed between ages eight and 10.



Children with ADHD:



• Have difficulty finishing any activity that requires concentration

• Don?t seem to listen to anything said to them

• Are excessively active?running or climbing at inappropriate times, squirming in or jumping out of their seats

• Are very easily distracted

• Talk incessantly, often blurting out responses before questions are finished

• Have serious difficulty waiting their turn in games or groups

• May have specific learning disabilities



Treatment can include the use of medications, psychotherapy and special educational programs to help a child keep up academically. Psychotherapy enables children to cope with their disorder and the reaction of others to it. An essential component of psychotherapy involves the work of the child psychiatrist with both the child and the parents to develop techniques for behavior management. 



If your child is diagnosed with ADHD there are effective treatments and medications available to help him/her have a successful year at school. Please contact your child's doctor if you need help.

Posted in: ADHD,children,Gariane Phillips Gunter MD,teens