Chapter 6: ADHD

Question 1

is
exhibited as persistent age-inappropriate symptoms
of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are
sufficient to cause impairment in major life activities
– Characteristic behaviors vary considerably from
child to child
– Different behavior patterns may have different
causes

Answer 1

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Question 2

Early 1900s
– Children who lacked self-control and showed
symptoms of overactivity/inattention in school were
said to have poor “______” and “______”

Answer 2

inhibitory volition & defective

moral control

Question 3

Following the worldwide influenza epidemic from 1917-

1926

Answer 3

“Brain-injured child syndrome”

Question 4

1940s-1950s:

Answer 4

“minimal brain damage” and “minimal

brain dysfunction”

Question 5

Late 1950s ADHD was called_____

Answer 5

hyperkinesis

Question 6

By the 1970s

Answer 6

Deficits in attention and impulse control, in addition

to hyperactivity, were seen as the primary symptoms

Question 7

• Inability to sustain attention, particularly for
repetitive, structured, and less enjoyable tasks
• Deficits may be seen in one or more types of
attention
– Attentional capacity
– Selective attention
– Distractibility
– Sustained attention/vigilance (a core feature)

Answer 7

Inattention

Question 8

• Inability to voluntarily inhibit dominant or ongoing
behavior
• Hyperactive behaviors include
– Fidgeting and difficulty staying seated
– Moving, running, touching everything in sight,
excessive talking, and pencil tapping
– Excessively energetic, intense, inappropriate, and
not goal-directed

Answer 8

Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

Question 9

– Inability to control immediate reactions or to think
before acting
– Cognitive impulsivity includes disorganization,
hurried thinking, and need for supervision
– Behavioral impulsivity includes difficulty inhibiting
responses when situations require it
– Emotional impulsivity includes impatience, low
frustration tolerance, hot temper, quickness to

Answer 9

• Impulsivity

Question 10

(ADHD-PI)

Answer 10

Predominantly inattentive presentation

Question 11

(ADHD-HI)

Answer 11

Predominantly hyperactive–impulsive presentation

Question 12

(ADHD-C)

Answer 12

Combined presentation

Question 13

– Most children with ADHD have at least normal
intelligence - the difficulty lies in applying
intelligence to everyday life situations

Answer 13

Intellectual deficits

Question 14

– Children with ADHD frequently have lower
productivity, grades, and scores on achievement
tests

Answer 14

Impaired academic functioning

Question 15

– About 25% of children with ADHD experience

excessive anxiety

Answer 15

Anxiety disorders

Question 16

– ADHD at 4-6 years is a risk factor for future
depression and suicidal behavior
– 20-30% of children with ADHD experience
depression

Answer 16

Mood disorders

Question 17

– ADHD is one of the most common referral

problems seen at clinics

Answer 17

prevalence

Question 18

• ADHD occurs more frequently in boys
• Overall rates decrease in adolescence for both sexes -
ratio remains the same
• Ratio in clinical samples is 6:1 with boys being
referred more often than girls
– ADHD in girls may go unrecognized and
unreported
• DSM criteria (cutoffs and symptoms) may be more
appropriate to boys than girls

Answer 18

Gender

Question 19

– Among the most effective stimulants to ADHD are _____

and ______

Answer 19

dextroamphetamine & methylphenidate