Week 5 - ADHD

Question 1

Identify the key features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

Answer 1

• Fidgeting
• Overactive/restless
• Difficulty playing quietly
• Interrupts others

Question 2

How do features of ADHD impact on occupational performance?

Answer 2

• Difficulty concentrating (mind too active)

- Needs high energy activities

Question 3

What are the differences between the inattentive and hyperactive forms of the disorder?

Answer 3

Inattentive: difficulty paying attention to detail, following instruction and organisation

• Careless mistakes
• Seeming not to listen
• Forgetful
• Loses things

Hyperactive: problem with verbal and motor inhibition

• Fidgeting
• Overactive/restless
• Difficulty playing quietly
• Interrupts others

Question 4

How do the behaviours and symptoms of a child with ADHD impact on family functioning?

Answer 4

• Higher levels of family dysfunction
  (Less adaptive coping styles)
• Financial issues (medical, parental loss of work)
• Parental stress
• Parental self-efficacy and self-esteem (if low, less equiped to deal with behaviours)

Question 5

How do the models of Brown and Barkley propose that ADHD impacts on executive function?

Answer 5

• ADHD impacts executive function (our ability to control and regulate our cognitive and physical functions)

Impacts:

• Inhibition and interference control (e.g. sitting still)
• Working memory (e.g. planning, organising time - ADHD patients disorganised)
• Internalisation of speech (difficulty learning new tasks - not able to internalise speech)
• Emotional and motivational self-regulation (provides external motivation)
• Planning and problem solving (find it difficult to do goal directed behaviour)

Question 6

How are these difficulties with executive function expressed functionally in individuals with ADHD?

Answer 6

Children

• Reduced school performance
• Social rejection
• More likely to be injured

Adults

• Poorer occupational performance
• Higher probability of underemployment
• More likely to be obese