Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood.
Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.
It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.
There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual.
Child must have 6 or more symptoms for > 6 months
Child must have 6 or more symptoms for > 6 months
Symptoms of the above two types are EQUALLY present in the person. Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change over time as well.
Diagnosis
There is no “blood test” or single test to diagnose ADHD. Deciding if a child has ADHD takes a several step process.
One step of the process involves having a medical exam, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD.
Another part of the process may include: parent and teacher questionnaires, clinical observations, school observations and standardized tests to administer to child.
The 2011 clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that behavior therapy is the first line of treatment for preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD.
Parent training in behavior therapy has the most evidence of being effective, but teachers and early childhood caregivers can use behavior therapy in the classroom as well.
Behavior therapy is an important first step because:
The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) conducted a review in 2010 of all existing studies on treatment options for children younger than 6 years of age.
The review found enough evidence to recommend parent training in behavior therapy as a good treatment option for children under 6 with ADHD symptoms and for disruptive behavior, in general.
The review also identified four programs for parents of young children with ADHD that reduced symptoms and problem behaviors related to ADHD:
The information in this page is adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.