ADHD Flashcards
ADHD
- 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
inattention
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
hyperactivity and impulsivity
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
preschool/toddler characteristics
more active, rapid mood changes, restless behavior
school age children characteristics
increased social demands, cooperative play, might get pushed away
adolescence characteristics
overactivity subsides: replaced with restlessness (mind jumps)
etiology
- neurotransmitters: deficit in person with ADHD
- lower brain activity in frontal lobe
- lower brain activity on EEG
- lower brain volumes in some regions
genetics vs environment
- 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)
intervention
- drugs
- stimulants: increase dopamine (ritalin)
- SNRI: selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (strattera)
- no diet
- behavioral therapy
language impairments
- 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
major areas of executive functioning
- planning/organizing
- working memory
- initiation
- make plans
- keep track of time/finish work on time
- engage in group dynamics
what can we do?
- executive functioning: assist with organization
- behavior management: goals/rewards, parenting programs
- social skills: work to improve
- concurrent language disorders