ADHD Flashcards
What is the definition of ADHD?
- Definition: chronic condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and sometimes impulsivity
- The child must display either inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity (or both) and symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months.
What is inattention?
- Fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless errors in schoolwork, work or other activities
- Has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play
- Doesn’t appear to listen when being told something
- Neither follows through on instructions nor completes chores, schoolwork, or jobs (not due to failure to understand or a deliberate attempt to disobey)
- Has trouble organising activities and tasks
- Dislikes or avoids tasks that involve sustained mental effort (homework, schoolwork)
- Loses materials needed for activities (assignments, books, pencils, tools, toys)
- Easily distracted by irrelevant information
- Forgetful
By far the most common symptom of ADHD
What is hyperactivity-impulsivity?
Hyperactivity
• Squirms in seat or fidgets
• Inappropriately leaves seat
• Inappropriately runs or climbs (in adolescents or adults, there may be only a subjective feeling of restlessness)
• Has trouble quietly playing or engaging in leisure activity
• Appears driven or “on the go”
• Talks excessively
Impulsivity
• Answers questions before they have been completely asked
• Has trouble waiting his/her turn
• Interrupts others
What is the diagnostic criteria for ADHD?
- Symptoms begin before age 7 (12 DSM-5)
- Symptoms must be present in at least 2 places, such as school and home
- The disorder negatively affects school, social or occupational functioning
- The symptoms do not occur solely due to a psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia)
- The symptoms are not better explained by an alternative disorder (such as a mood, anxiety or personality disorder)
What is the management of ADHD?
Stimulant medication:
Methylphenidate increases the activity of dopamine and noradrenaline in areas of the brain that play a part in controlling attention and behaviour.
(Ritalin)
Side effects of insomnia and reduced appetite so have to be careful about giving second doses after school.
Only 20% adults have it into adulthood, burns out for 80% of child sufferers.
What are the characteristics of ADHD?
- Spoken language
- Responding to others
- Interacting with others
- Eye contact, pointing and gestures
- Ideas and imagination
- Unusual/restricted interests or rigid/repetitive behaviours
How do we assess ASD?
- 3DI (parent interview)
- ADOS (Autism diagnostic observational schedule)
- Psychology Questionnaires
- School report
- Educational psychology assessment
- Graded
- Our assessment is a tool – not indicative of the individual’s experience
the spoken language characteristics
- Spoken language
- Limited use, monotonous tone
- Repetitive, stererotyped speech
- Responses that are rude/inappropriate
- Talking ‘at’ someone – usually about own interest
responding to others characteristics
- Responding to others
- Reduced/absent response to facial expression
- Difficulties understanding sarcasm or metaphor
- Delayed response to name being called (normal hearing)
interacting with others characteristic
- Interacting with others
- Reduced awareness of personal space
- Reduced/absent greetings or farewell behaviour
- Reduced social interest in others’ interests
- Reduced/absent social awareness
characteristics involving eye cantact, gestures and pointing
- Eye contact, pointing and gestures
- Reduced/absent use of social eye contact
- Reduced/poorly integrated use of gestures
- Reduced/absent joint attention e.g lack of following a point
ideas and imagination characteristics
- Reduced/absent imaginative play but may re-enact scenes from visual media
Unusual/restricted interests or rigid/repetitive behaviours
- Stereotypical movements
- Overfocused or unusual interests
- Repetitive play oriented towards objects
- Extremes of emotional reactivity excessive for the circumstances
- Dislike of change
- Excessive reaction to taste, smell, texture e.g. of food
