ADHD Flashcards
ADHD is a persistent pattern of
inattention and or hyperactivity - impulsivity
how long must symptoms perist for?
at least 6 months
criteria
interfers with function or development, several symptoms noted prior to age 12
present in 2 or more settings
criteria for Inattention
- lack of attention to detail
- difficulty staying on task
- trouble listening
- problem with follow through
- poor organization
- avoids/dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort
- trouble keeping track of things necessary for tasks/activities
- easily distracted
- forgetful in daily activities
hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria
- fidgets/squirms
- leaves seat when you should be seated
- runs/climbs when inappropriate
- unable to play quietly
- “on the go”
- talks excessivley
- blurts out answeres
- difficulty waiting turn
- interrupts or intrudes on others
diagnosis - innattentive
6/9 symptoms (5/9) if 17 or older
fewer than 6 hyperactivity
diagnosis - hyperactive/impulsive
6/9 symptoms (5/9) if 17 or older
fewer than 6 inattention
mostly preschoolers
contemporary model of ADHD
problem of executive functions of the brain
executive functions
higher cognitive process
involves communication and organization across multiple brain regions/pathways
executive function ROLE
plan and complete a task, multitask
keep track of time, differentiate among conflicting thoughts, filter out unimportant information, anticipate future consequences of current behavior/activities, work toward a defined goal, make mid-course corrections when thinking, reading, writing, inhibit impulses that could lead to socially unacceptable problems
problems when executive function isn’t working
significant problems learnign
cant get tasks done
difficulty controlling emotions
struggles with social functioning
what can cause executive function to be impaired
prenatal exposure to drugs, pregnancy complications, frontal lobe injury, stroke, Alzheimers, dementia, many medical conditions
ADHD represents and EXTREME in
inefficiency in executive function
common comorbitd contiditions in children
oppositional definat disorder conduct disorder anxiety depression autism learnign disabilites bipolar speech/languae
genetic factors
elevated risk of ADHD among biological relatives
twin studies suggest 60-80% heritability
abnormality with the DRD4 dopamine receptor gene