ADHD

Question 1

ADHD

Answer 1

• inattention
• impulsivity and hyperactivity
• last at least 6 months
• to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level
  symptoms must be before 12 years in 2 or more settings

Question 2

inattention

Answer 2

6 or more symptoms present for 6 months
- fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- trouble holding attention
- doesn’t listen when spoken to
- doesn’t follow instructions
- trouble organizing
- avoids that require mental effort over long period

Question 3

hyperactivity and impulsivity

Answer 3

6 or more symptoms present for 6 months
- fidgets
- leaves seat
- runs/climbs
- unable to be quiet when required
- blurts out answers
- trouble waiting for turns

Question 4

preschool/toddler characteristics

Answer 4

more active, rapid mood changes, restless behavior

Question 5

school age children characteristics

Answer 5

increased social demands, cooperative play, might get pushed away

Question 6

adolescence characteristics

Answer 6

overactivity subsides: replaced with restlessness (mind jumps)

Question 7

etiology

Answer 7

• neurotransmitters: deficit in person with ADHD
• lower brain activity in frontal lobe
• lower brain activity on EEG
• lower brain volumes in some regions

Question 8

genetics vs environment

Answer 8

• ADHD is more related to heredity than to environment
• genetics: some characteristics show across family
• environment: toxins, lead, family environment (make dealing with ADHD worse)

Question 9

intervention

Answer 9

• drugs
  
  • stimulants: increase dopamine (ritalin)
  • SNRI: selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (strattera)
• no diet
• behavioral therapy

Question 10

language impairments

Answer 10

• lower academic achievement, reading problems, grade retention
• emotional and social skills: describe emotions, pause before thinking
• executive functioning: set of mental processes that help us to connect past experiences with present action

Question 11

major areas of executive functioning

Answer 11

• planning/organizing
• working memory
• initiation
• make plans
• keep track of time/finish work on time
• engage in group dynamics

Question 12

what can we do?

Answer 12

• executive functioning: assist with organization
• behavior management: goals/rewards, parenting programs
• social skills: work to improve
• concurrent language disorders