Featured Condtion/Disease: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday.  Today's topic is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Definition
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) makes it difficult for children to control their behavior and stay focused. ADHD is usually diagnosed when children first go to school, a time when they must sit for longer periods and pay attention in class. Parents are often aware years earlier that their child has a problem.
Having ADHD doesn't mean your child has a problem with intelligence or ability to reason. Children with ADHD usually have normal or above-normal intelligence, and many are gifted.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) used to be called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), but that term isn't really used any more. Today the term ADHD is used with an add-on comment of "with the hyperactivity" or "without hyperactivity." The differences are related to the fidgety behavior or ”hyperactivity“ some children have. Hyperactivity is more than just being "active." It is activity much greater than children typically have. Below are the types of ADHD.
  • Inattentive type: Many children with ADHD have problems paying attention. Children with the inattentive type of ADHD often:



    • Don't pay close attention to details and make careless mistakes.
    • Cannot focus on the same task for long.
    • Don't follow through on instructions or finish schoolwork or chores.
    • Cannot organize tasks and activities well.
    • Get distracted easily.
    • Often lose things such as toys, school work and books.
  • Hyperactive-impulsive type: Being more active than other children is probably the most visible sign of ADHD. The hyperactive child is "always on the go." As he or she gets older, the activity level may go down. These children are also impulsive, meaning they often act before thinking, like running across the street without looking. Hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to go together. Children with the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD often may:



    • Fidget and squirm more than other children.
    • Have a hard time staying in their seats.
    • Run around or climb constantly or when they are told not to.
    • Have trouble playing quietly.
    • Talk too much.
    • Blurt out answers before questions have been completed.
    • Have trouble waiting their turn.
    • Interrupt others when they're talking.
    • Butt in on the games others are playing.
  • Combined type: Children with the combined type of ADHD have symptoms of both these types described above. They have problems with paying attention, with hyperactivity and with controlling their impulses. Of course, from time to time, all children are inattentive, impulsive and too active. With children who have ADHD though, these behaviors are the rule, not the exception. 
Signs



  • Inattention:


    This includes children who have trouble keeping their minds on what they are doing and often skip from one activity to the next without completing anything. They don't pay attention to details and often make mistakes. They have problems organizing and planning and often lose or misplace their schoolwork, pens, toys or other things.




  • Hyperactivity:


    Hyperactive children always seem to be in motion. Sitting still seems nearly impossible. They may dash around, wriggle in their seats, roam around the room or talk without stopping. They wiggle their feet or tap their pencils. They are often restless, bouncing around from one activity to the next or trying to do several things at once.




  • Impulsivity:


    These children often blurt out answers before questions have been completed. They have difficulty waiting for their turn. They often butt into conversations or games. They get into fights for little or no reason. 



  • More Information


    To get more information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), click here.

    *Most of the information provided here is from the Teach More/Love More site, click here to visit their site.

    0 comments:

    Leave a Reply

    Welcome to the PCLS Health Care Blog!

    This blog was created as part of the E-Government services offered by the Pasco County Library System. Our intent is to provide the citizens of Pasco County, Florida electronic resources and information about Health Care in Pasco County.

    Subscribe via RSS

    Subscribe via email

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Popular Posts

    Blog Archive

    CDC H1N1 Flu Updates

    H1N1 Podcast/Videos from CDC

    Go Here to watch or listen to the latest podcasts from the CDC about the H1N1 Virus.

    CDC Text Messages


    CDC Text Messages Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.
    CDC Text Messages Widget.
    Flash Player 9 is required.

    All Podcasts from the CDC

    Go Here to watch or listen to all the latest podcasts from the CDC on a range of health care issues.

    Health Tips from the CDC


    Five Minutes Or Less For Health Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.
    Five Minutes Or Less For Health Widget.
    Flash Player 9 is required.

    Prescription Drug Help

    Health Care Providers

    Florida Discount Drug Card Program

    If you are 60 years old or older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; or under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level you may use this program. Qualifying incomes include those below the following:


    $32,490 (for an individual)

    $43,710 (for a family of two)

    $66,150 (for a family of four)


    For general information: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com/

    To enroll go to: http://www.floridadiscountdrugcard.com

    Or call 1-866-341-8894 to enroll by telephone


    Pasco County Prescription Discount Card


    You can pick these up at any library branch or at the health department to receive a discount on your prescriptions.


    For information 1-877-321-2652 or visit their website www.caremark.com/naco