What is ADHD?
ADHD, or attention-deficit, hyperactivity disorder, used to be known
simply as hyperactivity. With its wider definition, it now catches
children who fall within a wide spectrum that ranges from naughtiness
right through to a genuine, and serious, problem that dramatically
affects behaviour and an ability to learn and concentrate.
As such, far too many children are being labelled as ‘ADHD’. Up to
10 per cent of children in the United States have been diagnosed as
ADHD, while the figure is around 2 per cent in the UK. It tends to
affect more boys than girls.
Although a diagnosis of ADHD may eventually involve doctors, social
workers and psychiatrists, the process begins with the parent, who may
see any behavioural or learning problem as ADHD. It can quickly become
a self-fulfilling prophecy and even though a range of professionals
does get involved, the diagnosis is invariably a subjective one. There
is no agreed, objective measure to determine genuine cases of ADHD.
The tell-tale signs in the child include impulsiveness,
restlessness, inattention and an inability to concentrate, or an
ability to adapt socially, so anti-social behaviour, a reluctance to
look someone in the eye, and rebelliousness may all suggest an ADHD
child. These behaviour patterns may suggest another problem, such as
impaired hearing, or a dietary reaction. They may also be the behaviour
of a perfectly normal child who is growing and changing, too.
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